• Increased ammonium or nitrate levels

• Organic impurities

• Heavy metals

• Fluctuating pH value or high water hardness

Animals often react to poor-quality water with reduced intake. This indirectly affects digestion, performance, and the immune system. Young animals, in particular, show early signs of stress or performance loss.
Possible consequences of poor water quality are:

• Reduced feed intake

• Digestive disorders

• Increased susceptibility to disease

• Fluctuating performance data

Regular water analyses are therefore indispensable. They provide not only snapshots but help to recognize seasonal changes early and counteract them specifically.
Various measures are available to improve water quality:

• Installation of filter systems

• Regular cleaning of drinking systems

• Use of adsorptive materials

Consistently good water quality is a fundamental prerequisite for healthy animals and stable performance – often with a great effect for comparatively little effort.

The post Water Quality in Animal Husbandry – The Underestimated Influence on Health and Performance appeared first on Unipoint AG.

• Selective ion exchange

• Binding of ammonium

• Adsorption of certain undesirable substances

In practice, clinoptilolite is frequently used during sensitive phases. These include rearing, weaning, or feed changes, where the digestive tract is particularly challenged. Use can also be beneficial in cases of increased pressure from mycotoxins.
Typical application situations are:

• Phases with increased dietary stress

• Stress situations for the animals

• Preventive stabilization of digestion

Decisive for success is the quality of the material used. Not every zeolite is suitable for animal feeding. Origin, purity, and regulatory approval play a central role, as does proper dosage.
Clinoptilolite is not a substitute for a balanced ration, but a functional component of a holistic feeding concept.

The post Clinoptilolite (Zeolite) in Animal Nutrition – A Natural Component of Modern Feeding appeared first on Unipoint AG.

• High humidity in the stable

• Warm temperatures

• Insufficient air circulation

• Wet or soiled bedding

Even low ammonia concentrations irritate mucous membranes and the respiratory tract. Animals are sensitive to this stress, which affects their health and performance in the long term. Ammonia also poses a significant health risk to stable personnel.
Typical consequences of increased ammonia exposure include:

• Respiratory problems

• Stress and restlessness in animals

• Reduced feed intake

• Declining performance parameters

A key problem is that ammonia is not always consciously perceived. The human sense of smell adapts quickly, meaning subjective assessments can be deceptive. Objective measurements therefore provide the only reliable basis for evaluation.
Proven monitoring methods include:

• Electronic ammonia sensors

• Mobile measuring devices

• Simple indicator solutions for daily stable routine

Sustainable ammonia reduction requires a holistic approach. In addition to ventilation and stable hygiene, reducing emissions at the source plays a crucial role. Mineral materials can bind excess ammonium, thereby reducing the release of ammonia.
A healthy stable climate not only improves animal welfare but also directly impacts performance, health, and working conditions.

The post Ammonia in the Stable – Why Air Quality Determines Performance and Animal Welfare appeared first on Unipoint AG.

Molds such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, or Penicillium can occur along the entire feed chain. Critical points here are not only the field but also harvest, transport, and storage. It is particularly problematic that mycotoxins rarely occur in isolation.

• Respiratory problems

• Respiratory problems

• Plant stress due to drought or pest infestation

• Improper storage of raw materials

• Long storage periods without quality control

In practice, contamination usually does not manifest itself through acute poisoning, but through gradual performance problems. Animals appear less vital, feed intake drops or falls short of expectations. Fertility disorders or increased susceptibility to disease can also be indications.

Frequently observed symptoms are:

• Reduced daily weight gain or milk yield

• Fluctuating performance within the herd

• Extended fattening or rearing periods

• Higher veterinary and treatment costs

Precisely these non-specific signs lead to mycotoxins often being recognized as the cause late. The economic losses do not arise suddenly but accumulate over weeks and months.

Effective mycotoxin management therefore relies on prevention and control. Regular analyses create transparency, while good storage hygiene and adapted ration formulation reduce the risk. In addition, functional feed ingredients can be used that bind mycotoxins in the digestive tract and reduce their bioavailability.

Central elements of sustainable management are:

• Regular monitoring of raw materials and compound feed

• Stable storage conditions

• Early detection of subclinical effects

• Preventive support of digestion

Mycotoxins cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be controlled in a targeted manner. Farms that actively manage this topic create a stable basis for animal health and long-term operational success.

The post Mycotoxins in animal feed – a persistent risk for animal health and operational success appeared first on Unipoint AG.