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The transition phase in dairy cows: when prevention really pays off
The transition phase — that delicate period spanning the last three weeks of the dry period and the first thirty days of lactation — is the real ‘litmus test’ for any dairy farm. During this period, the cow undergoes profound hormonal, metabolic and digestive changes:
Silage techniques and silo management: quality parameters, microbiological risks and solutions for forage preservation
Silage production is now one of the cornerstones of ruminant feeding on modern farms. Originally developed in the Nordic countries to ensure the availability of feed during the winter months, this preservation technique has become widely established thanks to its high operational efficiency and its
Stress in poultry: causes, impacts on production and new nutritional solutions
In modern poultry production systems, characterised by high production standards and rapid growth rates, maintaining the animals’ physiological balance is key to ensuring both animal welfare and the profitability of the farm. Among the most critical environmental and management factors, stress — and in particular
Stress and aggression in pigs: the role of nutrition in animal welfare management
On modern pig farms, pigs may be exposed to numerous stress factors throughout their production cycle. Weaning, the formation of new groups, transfers between units, transport, high stocking densities and environmental changes are all situations that can influence the animals’ behaviour. Stress is a natural
Strategies for managing heat stress in calves
In the common perception of livestock farming, heat stress is a phenomenon that mainly affects lactating cows. However, research and field evidence show that calves are just as vulnerable to high temperatures. Whilst cooling systems are now standard practice for adult cows, calves often spend
Heat Stress in Dairy Cows: Metabolic and Productive Impacts and Management StrategiesStress da caldo nelle vacche da latte: impatti metabolici, produttivi e strategie di gestione.
Heat stress is not simply a reduction in feed intake or a temporary decline in production. It is a complex physiological response involving metabolism, intestinal health, the immune system, fertility and production. Understanding the mechanisms underlying heat stress makes it possible to adopt more effective