PREVENTION OF DISEASE ON THE FARM
MAINTAINING a high health status on the farm is the responsibility of every farmer and while the occurrence of some diseases may be beyond their control, good husbandry skills like those previously discussed will certainly reduce the incidence of disease and illhealth among the herd.
Q Contemplating the importance of sampling on the farm in an effort to reduce unnecessary financial burdens. Soil, blood and faecal sampling may identify various triggers in relation to disease in advance of having to purchase more expensive treatments should an outbreak of the disease occur.
Q Considering a number of factors when purchasing new animals to include knowledge of the producer, conformation of the animal and condition of the mouth and feet.
Q Designing and executing a satisfactory vaccination and dosing programme by firstly identifying causative organisms of the disease and focussing on prevention which is more economically feasible than repetitive treatment in the long run.
Q Familiarising oneself with the general history of the animal. For example, piglets or bonhams are highly susceptible to anaemia and so should be given an iron injection two to three days after birth.
Q Feeding colostrum to the new-born calf, the quality and timing of which is of paramount importance in ensuring the benefits of same are maximised.
Q Ensuring proper housing conditions with an emphasis on hygiene, ventilation, adequate space and an efficient waste disposal system.
Q Implementing the correct feeding regimes for the animal in question with an emphasis on colostrum as the best start for the animal introducing antibodies to fight infection not to mention its high vitamin and mineral content.
Q Practising the leader-follower system of grazing, whereby the younger animals graze the pastures first, followed by the yearlings and older animals. Such a system decreases the level of infestation by pathogens such as liver fluke. In addition, it allows for the younger animals to get the best of grass, which will contribute to their daily liveweight gain (DLWG).
Q Being vigilant to ensure that sick animals will not go unnoticed, being isolated if needs be and veterinary assistance called if necessary.
Q Ensuring the farmyard is designed so as to minimise the risk of injury and/ or poisoning. For example, animals may be poisoned by chemicals such as lead found in some paints on gates. Uneven surfaces may result in lameness, while excessively smooth surfaces can be slippery and may result in injury.
Q Safeguarding the health of new born calves and thereby avoiding dystocia or over-sized calves, by choosing the right sire in particular in relation to heifers.
Q Exercising various biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of infectious disease onto the farm. These include the following:
✦ Restricting access to visitors on the farm and implementing adequate methods of disinfection for clothing, equipment and footwear from outside personnel.
✦ Quarantining all-bought in animals.
✦ Ensuring the required three metre spaced double fencing is intact between all farm boundaries.
✦ Perimeter fencing to prevent vehicle and wildlife entry.