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AgSpeak Blog
Explore the AgSpeak Blog for expert agricultural resources.
AI Vaccinations
The 2022 Avian Influenza pandemic has run rampant for more than a year now. It has killed more than 58 million birds to date. It has affected egg and meat prices dramatically and it is starting to feel like there is no end in sight. The current means of control focus on higher impact biosecurity…
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Grower Spotlight: Mark Strouth
From the late 1980s onward, Mark’s father and brothers started a legacy of family farming, and they haven’t given it up yet. Somewhere in the windy plains of Iowa, Mark and his three brothers own and operate a menagerie of swine barns that they have collected over the years. Around ten houses in total are…
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Supreme Court Upholds California’s Prop 12
On May 11, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, a landmark animal welfare measure that bans the sale of pork from sows that are confined in small spaces. The 5-4 decision was a victory for animal welfare groups and a setback for the pork industry. In 2018, California voters passed Prop 12 (also…
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Water Usage & Consumption
Water is an important nutrient that directly affects a flock’s health and wellbeing. Birds must have adequate access to clean water for optimal consumption. It’s important to understand the difference between water usage and water consumption. Water usage is what goes through the water meter. It measures the water used for cooling systems, as well…
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Clean Drinking Water in Four Simple Steps
Clean drinking water in the poultry house is arguably the most important resource that we should provide. There are tons of tips and tricks out there to ensure that your water is the best water it can be, so we’ve narrowed it down to 4 main points. Check these things regularly and rest assured your…
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California’s Proposition 12
In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 (Prop 12) which is a ballot initiative to provide more space for farmed animals, in particular laying hens, breeding sows and veal calves in California. Prop 12 is also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative and offers protections to egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and calves raised for…
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Why is Water So Important?
Why is water so important? Water is an essential nutrient, and it plays an important role in all bodily functions including digesting nutrients, metabolism, and transporting nutrients through the bloodstream. It aids in digesting of feed and flushing fecal and uric acid waste products. Also, water plays a key role in regulating body temperature. By…
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8 Reasons You Should Eat Eggs
8 REASONS YOU SHOULD EAT EGGS Eggs are loaded with 13 essential vitamins and minerals and provide a good source of nutrients essential for a healthy diet. They are a valuable source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Basically, they’re a superfood. Eggs are nutrient rich and contain 82% of your daily vitamin D…
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Poultry Bedding
Poultry Bedding Bedding acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture from fecal waste, while providing a dry, comfortable medium for birds to scratch and rest upon. It should be quick-drying, soft, compressible, and absorbent as it provides a cushion for the breast muscle and feet. It should be lightweight and have medium particle size. Birds…
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Life After Avian Influenza
AI UPDATE – FALL 2022 The arrival of summer brought hope that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak may phase out like it did in the 2015 outbreak. Fewer cases were popping up and sites that had been affected were already starting to repopulate. However, as we move into fall, we are seeing an…
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9 Factors that Influence Egg Size
9 Factors that Influence Egg Size Consumers tend to prefer and are willing to pay more for larger eggs, so knowing what may influence the size of egg produced may be beneficial for maximum return. A large egg is not always a good egg. The larger the egg is, the thinner the eggshell thickness is.…
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