Dairying or Livestock farming has emerged as a significant revenue-earning model for farmers in India. Cows and buffaloes are predominantly reared in backyard and organized farms. Farmers earn regular income by supplying milk to local collection centers or directly to households in nearby cities, typically receiving payments every 10 to 15 days. Advances in artificial insemination have enabled farmers to access high-yielding cows more conveniently. However, managing these high-yielding dairy animals is a complex task. Animals with poor immunity are susceptible to various infections and diseases, leading to production loss, additional treatment costs, and underutilization of production potential. One of the most significant and profit-reducing diseases in animal husbandry is Mastitis.
Understanding Mastitis and its Economic Impact:
Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary glands, is caused by infectious and non-infectious agents and leads to substantial economic losses in the dairy industry. It significantly reduces milk yield and incurs various costs like treatment, veterinarian, and milk discard. Numerous factors contribute to the development of mastitis, including unhygienic farm practices, poor herd health, dietary deficiencies, environmental factors, and more. Pathogens like Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Coliform spp. are common causes of mastitis in Asian countries. The rise of high milk-producing breeds has led to an increase in mastitis cases due to the added stress on these animals.
Mastitis causes about 65% of the economic losses in the dairy industry, with sub-clinical mastitis being more common than its clinical counterpart. Often going unnoticed, it contributes to increased somatic cell counts in milk. Early identification of mastitis can prevent substantial economic losses. Tests such as the California Mastitis Test and Somatic Cell Count Test are useful for early diagnosis. Preventing the disease is preferable to treating it, as treatments are costly, and post-treatment milk production often does not return to previous levels. Prevention includes proper nutritional and management measures.
Nutritional and Managerial Prevention Strategies:
Milking Stress and Cleanliness: Lactating cows and buffaloes experience stress from regular milking. Adding poor hygiene to this can increase complications. Maintaining cleanliness in the farm, especially by removing urine and dung, is crucial to reduce the risk of mastitis.
Teat Sphincter Muscle Care: After milking, it takes approximately 30 minutes for the teat sphincter to fully close. During this period, the animal is more vulnerable to bacterial infection. To prevent this, ensure the animals stand and move, possibly by feeding them or allowing them to roam in a clean barn, rather than lying down immediately after milking.
Hygienic Milking Practices: Implement thorough cleanliness measures before and after milking. This includes washing the udder with warm water, using clean towels for wiping, discarding the first few strips of milk, washing hands thoroughly before milking, and cleaning the milking machine. Applying a biocide solution as a teat dip or spray post-milking is also important.
Loose Housing Benefits: Mastitis is more common in stalls where movement is restricted. In loose housing environments, where animals can move freely, the risk of udder contamination with dung and urine is reduced, decreasing mastitis chances.
Teat Keratin - A Natural Defense: The teat end, lined with keratin, acts as a primary defense against mastitis-causing bacteria. Ensuring dairy animals' diets include zinc and Biotin (Vitamin-H) helps in maintaining this protective keratin layer.
Role of Nutrients in Immunity: Around calving time, low blood calcium levels can weaken a dairy animal's immune system. Proper supplementation with vitamins E and A, selenium, copper, and zinc can enhance resistance against mastitis. An immunity booster dose for lactating animals can further aid in preventing mastitis.
Dry Cow Management: Proper techniques for drying off cows around the 7th month of pregnancy are crucial for preventing udder infections. Providing a high-quality diet during this time is essential for maintaining good body condition.
Acidosis Prevention: An acidic environment in the rumen, caused by diets rich in concentrates or insufficient rumination, can lead to mastitis. Balancing the diet with the right protein-to-energy ratio, along with buffering and adding live yeast, helps maintain proper rumen function and prevent acidosis.
The Role of eFeed in Udder Management and Mastitis Prevention:
eFeed, a precision animal management and nutrition company, has significantly contributed to udder health management in dairy farming. Leveraging artificial intelligence, eFeed develops personalized feed recommendations that not only improve yields but also reduce the risk of Mastitis, a prevalent issue in the dairy industry.
By utilizing smartphone sensors for data collection, eFeed gathers crucial information about cattle health. This data helps in identifying deficiencies and formulating specialized premixes or additives. Precision data about cattle enables proactive diagnostics and recommendations for optimal nutrition and management strategies, specifically tailored to prevent conditions like Mastitis.
"Effective udder management is a key pillar in maintaining dairy herd health. eFeed's innovative approach in integrating technology with nutrition and preventive care is revolutionizing the way we tackle Mastitis, ensuring healthy herds and more prosperous farms." - Dr. Parag, Head of Veterinary Sciences, eFeed
This approach by eFeed has proven beneficial for farmers in managing udder health, thereby reducing the risk of Mastitis. The effective management of this condition is crucial, given its impact on milk production and overall farm profitability.
Conclusion
While ongoing research continues to find more efficient treatments for mastitis, prevention, especially through nutritional and managerial strategies, remains the most advised course of action. Companies like eFeed play a pivotal role in this preventive approach, offering smart, data-driven solutions to the challenges faced by dairy farmers.
