Buzağı ve inek ishal ve hastalığı

Diarrhea: Treatment & Prevention

Zirve
October 25, 2021

Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria (E. coli, salmonella), viruses (rota, corona) or parasites (cryptosporidia, coccidia).

Rota and corona infections, which generally occur during the first month of life, can in turn lead to parasitic disorders such as cryptosporidia.

Feeding errors and insufficient hygiene can also cause diarrhea. Diarrhea results in discomfort and retarded growth in calves.
In the worst case scenario, it can even result in death.

Colostrum plays a key role in tackling diarrhea.

Correctly providing each calf with good-quality colostrum allows the animal to build up immunity, which is a key tool in preventing diarrhea.

Learn more about colostrum feeding:

Be extra attentive in dry period

If diarrhea regularly recurs on your farm, it is advisable to carefully analyse the dry period.

It is during this period that the foundations are laid for a healthy start for the calf. Feed for healthy pregnant cows has a huge influence on the health of the young calf. If the rations are not in good order during the dry period, then the calf will have lower resistance, and the colostrum is often of poorer quality.

As a result, the calf receives insufficient antibodies, thereby increasing the risk of diarrhea.

In an ideal dry period, the cow maintains her dry matter intake right up to calving day. That can only be achieved if the cow has access to tasty rations, 24 hours a day. The raw protein content of the rations and the amount of minerals and vitamins also influence the quality of the colostrum.

Water first; the rest comes later!

Dehydration through diarrhoea has a huge influence on the wellbeing of the calf. Diarrhoea prevention is therefore of vital importance and is the keystone to problem-free rearing of successful dairy cows.

Did you know that:

Buzağı ve inek ishal semptomlar
  • A 40 kg calf needs 6 litres of fluid intake a day?
  • It is of vital importance to offer fresh water to a calf in a drinking tray, from day 2?
  • A calf with diarrhoea can lose more than 5 litres of fluids?
  • No calf ever died from drinking water?
  • Damage to the intestinal wall from diarrhoea means that fewer nutrients can be taken up?
  • Painkillers have a positive effect on calf recovery?

Diarrhoea action plan:

1. Have the faeces tested for germs and prepare a treatment plan and prevention plan.

2. In the case of infectious diarrhoea (E-coli, Rota Corona, Salmonella, Clostridium, Crypto, coccidiosis): immediately isolate the calf from the rest of the herd, to prevent contamination.

3. Between normal (milk) feeds offer the calf additional water supplemented with Nutrifrizz ( Please consult your veterinarian. ) effervescent tablets for an optimal fluid and salt balance. (1 tablet to 1 litre of water).

Preventing infectious diarrhea

Preventing non-infectious diarrhea

Check that the following points are in good order. 

1. Optimum dry period for the cow

2. Colostrum management:

• Quick, Fresh, Often, Four litres, Enriched (possibly supplemented with Colocorrect if colostrum quality is insufficient),

• Hygiene for gathering colostrum (disinfect the cow’s teats and the buckets in which the colostrum is collected prior to milking) 

3. Calving hygiene (calving pen) 

4. Cubicle hygiene 

5. Accommodate separately for at least two weeks

6. Do not mix calves with older animals (>6 months)

7. Use calf blankets at temperatures below 15°C 

8. Prevent calves standing in draughts 

9. Use clean equipment (bucket, etc.) 

10. Supply milk correctly (posture, temperature, suckling, concentration)

11. Regularly clean and calibrate automatic drinking machines 

12. Provide sufficient bedding/litter material 

13. Avoid feed in the calf pen * Consult your advisor for a special feed timetable.

1. Check how the milk is prepared and how the calf drinks.

2. Drinking temperature 40 °C in the bucket.

3. Constant concentration (150 g per litre)

4. Drinking posture (teat at correct height: 75 cm) and the suckling of the calf (teat quality)

If drug treatment is required, consult your veterinarian.

Ucuz Yemin Gizli Maliyeti 

Kaliteli inek yemine yatırım yapmak, hayvanlarınızın sağlığı ve verimliliği açısından son derece önemlidir. Düşük fiyatlı seçenekler cazip görünse de, genellikle gerekli besin maddelerini eksik tutar ve zayıf büyümeye, yetersiz süt üretimine ve genel olarak sağlık sorunlarına neden olabilir.

Üstün kaliteli yemler, daha yüksek maliyetlerine rağmen, optimal büyümeyi ve bağışıklığı destekleyen dengeli bir protein, mineral ve vitamin karışımını içerir. Fiyat yerine kaliteye öncelik vererek, ineklerinizin uzun vadeli karlılık ve refahlarını koruyarak, maksimum süt üretimi ve genel performans açısından en iyi sonuçları elde etmiş olursunuz.

Sürünüzün sağlığını düzenli olarak izleyin ve değerlendirin, rutin veteriner kontrolleri ve aşılar dahil…

İneklerin beslenme ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak için dengeli bir diyet sağlayın, yeterli yem, konsantre, mineral ve su sağlayın.

Süt üretimini etkileyebilecek beslenme eksiklikleri veya aşırılıklarını önlemek için uygun bir yemleme yönetim planı uygulayın.

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Ucuz ve düşük kaliteli yem, bitki, tahıl, protein kaynakları, mineraller & vitaminler ve yağ alımdan kaçının. Eğer düşük kaliteli yeme 50 TL harcarsanız ve sadece günlük 40 litre süt üretiyorsanız, litre başına maliyetiniz 1,25 TL’ye yükselir. Daha fazla harcama yapıyor ve daha az alıyorsunuz!

Why

Nutrition is key in dairy farming. The health and productivity of your cows directly depend on their diet. Proper nutrition leads to high milk yield and healthier cows that are resistant to diseases.

Cheap is Expensive

Now, let’s think about this in terms of cow feed.

You could buy a bag of cheaper feed for 50 TL. But because it’s not packed full of the good stuff your cows need, they only produce 40 liters of milk each day. In a week, you get 280 liters of milk.

But what if you go for the second option? You buy the higher-quality feed for 75 TL. It’s more expensive, but it’s better for your cows and they start to produce more milk. In this case, they give you 60 liters per day. So, over a week, you get 420 liters of milk.

Yes, you are paying 25 TL more for the feed, but you are also getting an extra 140 liters of milk each week. If you sell this milk for even just 1 TL per liter, you get an extra 140 TL. After taking out the 25 TL for the better feed, you’re still making an additional 115 TL every week.

One significant study is the “Feeding Dairy Cows for Increased Milk Production” conducted by the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. According to this research, it’s demonstrated that the quality of feed significantly affects the milk yield of dairy cows. High-quality feed that is rich in nutrients helps enhance the cows’ milk production, whereas low-quality feed can result in decreased milk yield.

Regularly monitor and evaluate the health of your dairy herd, including routine veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.

Provide a balanced diet to meet the nutritional needs of the cows, ensuring sufficient forage, concentrates, minerals, and water.

Implement a proper feeding management plan to prevent nutritional deficiencies or excesses that could impact milk production.

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Avoid buying cheap, low-quality ingredients. If you spend $50 on low-quality feed and only produce 40 liters of milk per day, your cost per liter rises to $1.25. You’d be spending more and getting less!

Why

Nutrition is key in dairy farming. The health and productivity of your cows directly depend on their diet. Proper nutrition leads to high milk yield and healthier cows that are resistant to diseases.

Adopt Cost-efficient Practices

Imagine switching from an old, inefficient lightbulb that costs 75 TL per month to run, to a new energy-efficient one that only costs 37.5 TL per month. This kind of upgrade can save dairy farmers money, too, like investing in energy-efficient machinery.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Equipment: If you have an old piece of machinery that costs 2,000 TL per month to run, replacing it with a newer, energy-efficient model that costs only 1,500 TL per month could save you 6,000 TL in a year.

Implement Waste Management Practices: Manure and other waste products can be used as fertilizers or converted into biogas. This not only reduces waste but can also save you money or even generate income.

Optimize Feed Usage: By precisely measuring and delivering feed, you can reduce waste and ensure your cows are getting the nutrients they need without overspending. This could save you several thousand TL over the course of a year.

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Don’t Stick with Outdated Practices: Just as you wouldn’t use an old, inefficient lightbulb that costs 75 TL per month when you could use a new one costing 37.5 TL, don’t stick to outdated farming practices that drain your finances.

Don’t Neglect Regular Maintenance: Failing to maintain your equipment can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs. Regularly servicing your machinery might cost a few hundred TL but could prevent a breakdown that could cost several thousand.

Don’t Overlook Small Savings: Even small changes can add up to significant savings over time. 

Why

Investing in energy-efficient equipment can result in considerable cost savings over time. It’s a long-term investment towards sustainability and profitability of your farm.

Effective waste management can turn a cost (disposal) into a profit (fertilizer, energy). It’s also more sustainable and environmentally friendly, which can be a selling point for eco-conscious consumers.

Old practices and technologies often involve higher costs and lower efficiency. Adopting new technologies and practices can help you increase efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive in the market.

Regular maintenance prevents equipment breakdown, which can lead to costly repairs and lost productivity. A well-maintained machine operates more efficiently and lasts longer, saving money in the long run.

Regular Health Check-ups and Vaccinations

Just like children need regular check-ups and vaccines to stay healthy, cows also need frequent veterinary check-ups and vaccinations. If you spend $200 on veterinary bills and vaccinations each month and this keeps your 100 cows healthy, it’s only costing you $2 per cow for the month.

Schedule Regular Vet Visits: Just like humans, cows need routine check-ups to ensure they’re in good health. These visits can help catch any health issues early before they become serious problems. For example, a monthly check-up might cost around 500 TL, but it could prevent an illness that could cost several thousand TL in lost production and treatment costs.

Invest in Preventive Care: Regular vaccinations and deworming treatments are essential for maintaining the health of your dairy herd. This might cost around 300 TL per cow per year, but it can prevent diseases that can severely impact milk production.

Educate Yourself and Your Staff: Understand the signs of common diseases and conditions that can affect cows. The more knowledgeable you and your staff are, the quicker you can react if a cow becomes ill.

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Don’t neglect Your Herd’s Health: Skipping check-ups or vaccinations as a cost-saving measure could lead to severe consequences down the line. An illness that costs 5,000 TL to treat might have been preventable with a 500 TL vaccine.

Don’t ignore Advice from Your Vet: Your vet is a valuable resource, so don’t disregard their advice. If they recommend a certain vaccine or treatment, it’s usually for a good reason.

Don’t Delay Treatment: If a cow shows signs of illness, get it checked out immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to worse health outcomes for the cow and potentially higher treatment costs.

Why

Healthy cows mean a thriving dairy business. Diseases can quickly spread in a herd, leading to a significant decrease in milk production and potentially devastating economic losses.

 

Moreover, by feeding your cows with better-quality feed, you’re keeping them healthier. This means fewer visits from the vet, which can be quite expensive.

In the end, while the better feed has a higher price tag, it’s a wise investment. It’s like buying the more expensive but long-lasting pair of shoes. Your cows will be healthier, produce more milk, and that means more income for you in the long run.Good feed now is money in your pocket later.

Strategies for Dairy Farmers to Sustain Milk Production in Challenging Economic Periods

Strategies for Dairy Farmers to Sustain Milk Production in Challenging Economic Periods

In challenging economic periods, dairy farmers face the task of sustaining milk production while navigating financial uncertainties. To achieve this, they can employ various strategies. First, optimizing herd health through regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet ensures healthy cows and increased productivity. Effective reproductive management, including accurate record-keeping and timely calving, maintains a consistent milk supply. Attention to milk quality and hygiene is crucial to meet regulatory standards and consumer demands. Managing input costs by evaluating expenses and seeking cost-saving measures helps maintain profitability. Additionally, exploring value-added opportunities, such as producing dairy products with higher profit margins, expands revenue streams. By implementing these strategies, dairy farmers can mitigate the impact of challenging economic periods, sustain milk production, and secure the long-term viability of their operations.

Embracing Variety: Diversifying Crop Production for a Resilient Future

Embracing Variety: Diversifying Crop Production for a Resilient Future

“Embracing Variety: Diversifying Crop Production for a Resilient Future”

A comprehensive guide for farmers seeking to understand and implement diversified crop production practices for sustainable agriculture. This article delves into the importance of crop diversity, its historical context, and its role in modern farming. By discussing the benefits of crop diversification and providing practical strategies such as crop rotation, polyculture, cover crops, and agroforestry, this guide aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to develop a diversified farming system for a resilient and prosperous future.

Weathering the Storm: Climate Adaptation and Resilience in the Farm Business

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As climate change amplifies weather extremes, farmers in the Middle East and Turkey are faced with the challenge of adapting to unpredictable conditions. By embracing climate adaptation strategies and building resilience, these farmers can not only protect their livelihoods but also teach valuable lessons on thriving in an ever-changing climate.

Why Calf Cough is an Unreliable Early Warning Sign for Respiratory Diseases in Calves

Why Calf Cough is an Unreliable Early Warning Sign for Respiratory Diseases in Calves

Early detection and treatment of respiratory diseases in calves is crucial for minimizing damage to their respiratory system and ensuring their maximum production potential.

However, relying solely on calf cough to diagnose such diseases is not an effective early warning tool, as research from the US has suggested. Veterinary epidemiologist, Terri Ollivett, has pioneered an approach called WeanClean, which involves using lung ultrasonography to check calves for lung lesions before clinical symptoms are likely to be displayed. By carrying out ultrasounds at four strategic points, this approach aims to measure lung disease at weaning and administer treatment if necessary, so that producers can wean their animals with clean and healthy lungs. The use of ultrasound scanning as an effective tool for early detection and treatment of respiratory diseases in calves highlights the need to go beyond calf cough as an early warning sign.