In recent years, the cattle industry has faced steadily rising feed costs alongside growing demands for sustainable agricultural production. One compelling and effective solution is the use of agricultural by-products as a feed source for cattle. These by-products—once often regarded as waste—have become resources of nutritional and economic value, helping to lower feed costs and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. What are agricultural by-products? By-products ar

One of the greatest challenges in the poultry industry is the early detection of diseases. In many cases, by the time clear clinical signs—such as coughing, diarrhea, or mortality—appear, the disease has already spread through a large portion of the flock, causing significant economic damage. Professional producers know that early warning signs often appear days or even weeks before a sick bird is actually visible. Proper flock monitoring makes it possible to identify issues

When broiler growth rates fall short of expectations, most producers first examine feed quality, the feeding program, or the flock's general health. However, there are often "hidden" factors—not immediately apparent—that can significantly impact growth rates, feed conversion ratios, and profitability. Early identification of these factors can make the difference between an average production cycle and a flock with outstanding performance. Drinking Water Quality Water is the m

The feed bunk is the center of activity for the dairy cow. The quality of feed bunk management directly impacts feed intake, herd health, milk yield, and farm profitability. Seemingly minor errors in daily management can sometimes result in losses amounting to thousands—or even tens of thousands—of shekels annually. The good news is that most of these issues can be prevented by strictly adhering to proper management practices. Mistake 1: Insufficient feed pushing throughout t

The poultry farming sector has been undergoing a technological revolution in recent years. While poultry farmers once relied primarily on physical inspections and visual identification of issues, smart systems based on sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence now enable the detection of early signs of disease—even before they are visible to the human eye. Early detection of health issues enables prompt treatment, reduces mortality, improves poultry welfare, and minimizes

Recent decades have brought about a true revolution in calf rearing. While the focus used to be primarily on calf survival and reaching weaning age, the goal today is to maximize genetic potential from the very first days of life. Numerous studies have demonstrated that advanced feeding programs can improve growth rates, strengthen the immune system, and even influence the future performance of the adult cow. The New Approach: Nutrition for Maximum Development In the past, it

In recent years, interest in the use of probiotics in the poultry industry has grown, driven largely by the global trend toward reducing the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. Probiotics are a group of beneficial bacteria that help maintain a balanced gut microflora, improve intestinal health, and naturally enhance broiler performance. Numerous studies demonstrate that the proper incorporation of probiotics into feeding programs can improve growth rates, feed utilization

The poultry sector generates large quantities of organic waste annually, including manure, spent bedding, feathers, and feed residues. While this waste was once viewed as an environmental nuisance, it is now considered a highly valuable agricultural resource. Proper management of poultry waste can reduce costs, improve soil quality, and even generate additional income for farmers. What does poultry house waste consist of? Poultry house waste is primarily composed of: * Poul

Gut health is one of the most critical factors influencing growth rates, feed utilization, immune function, and profitability in broiler and layer flocks. While antibiotics were once widely used to prevent disease and enhance performance, there is now growing awareness regarding the risks of bacterial resistance and the need to reduce the use of these medications. Research and field experience demonstrate that maintaining gut health and high productivity is achievable through

Calf growth rate is one of the most important metrics in the cattle industry. A calf that grows optimally reaches its target weight sooner, suffers less from disease, and better realizes its genetic potential. However, increasing the growth rate should not come at the expense of the calf's health. The goal is to achieve rapid, uniform, and healthy growth that results in a strong, productive animal. A Good Start with High-Quality Colostrum The foundation of any successful rear

Colostrum, or "first milk," is the initial secretion produced by the cow after calving. Although it is produced only during the first few days after birth, its importance to the calf is immense. In fact, the quality and quantity of colostrum the calf receives during the first hours of life can influence its health, growth rate, and even its future performance as an adult. What makes colostrum unique? Unlike regular milk, colostrum is exceptionally rich in: * Antibodies (imm

Lameness in calves is one of the most common health issues in the cattle industry. It leads to reduced feed intake, slower growth rates, compromised animal welfare, and increased treatment costs. Main causes of lameness in calves 1. Injuries and trauma * Blows, falls, or being stepped on by other animals. * Fractures or sprains. * Injuries caused by slippery or defective flooring. 2. Hoof conditions * Foot rot. * Inflammation in the hoof area. * Hoof cracks or abnormal wear.

Organic cow farming has both economic, environmental and health benefits. Benefits Better animal welfare * Cows generally have more living space. * Access to open pasture for part of the year. * Less crowding and less stress on the animals. Less use of chemicals * The food the cows eat is raised without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. * Limiting the use of drugs and antibiotics. High market demand * Organic dairy and meat products are often sold at a higher price. * Man

Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the environment in chicken coops, but when their levels are too high they distort lung performance and food safety.Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the enviro The main fecal bacteria in chicken coops Among the common bacteria: * Escherichia coli infection (pathogenic E. coli) * Salmonellosis * Campylobacter infection * Various Clostridium bacteria, which can cause intestinal infections. How do they affect the weight of the chicken? Whe

The cattle industry in Israel is exposed to a number of significant climate risks, some of which are already being felt today and are expected to worsen in the coming years: 1. Extreme heat loads The greatest risk to cattle in Israel. * Cows eat less. * The growth rate of calves decreases. * Milk production decreases. * Fertility is impaired. * The risk of disease and even death increases in extreme cases. In Israel, there are sometimes dozens of days a year when the heat loa

During the hot summer months, the goal is to maintain egg quality from the moment it is laid until it reaches the consumer. High heat damages the internal quality of the egg, increases moisture loss and increases the risk of bacterial growth. 1. Egg collection * Collect more frequently than in winter (at least 4–6 times a day in manual coops). * Take special care to collect in the early morning. * Do not leave eggs on collection conveyors or in trays exposed to heat. * Remove

Cows and calves have several main types of parasites, and they are divided into internal parasites (in the intestines, lungs, liver) and external parasites (on the skin). 1. Internal parasites (worms and protozoa) Intestinal worms (nematodes) Very common in young calves, causing: * Diarrhea * Weight loss * Loss of appetite * Rough coat/hair * Anemia and weakness Examples: Haemonchus contortus Ostertagia ostertagi Cooperia Treatment: * Deworming with medications such as iverme

Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) is a group of viruses that mainly affect broiler, breeding and turkey poultry. The virus is present almost worldwide, and in recent years has caused significant outbreaks even in modern poultry houses due to high density, stress and weakened immune systems. What diseases does it cause? The virus can cause several main syndromes: 1. Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) The most common disease in young broiler poultry. Signs: * Sudden death * Apathetic birds *

There are several key and proven ways to effectively increase the weight of chickens in broiler houses — but it is important to do so in a balanced way so as not to harm the health of the chicken, mortality rates, flock uniformity and feed conversion ratio (FCR). 1. Genetics and the chicken line The foundation begins with choosing a quality breed of broiler: * Cobb-Vantress – Cobb lines * Aviagen – Ross lines Genetic differences can significantly affect: * Growth rate * Feed

In recent years, and especially following outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza worldwide and in Israel, the poultry sector has undergone a technological revolution aimed at early detection, rapid isolation, and reduction of economic and health damage. In Israel, where the poultry industry is one of the largest and most densely populated in the world relative to land area, there is enormous interest in prevention and control technologies. The new technologies are divided into sev