46 GERM MAP free colostrum by Flandres Animal Health (Farm Innovation)

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Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Early feeding (colostrum/feed) – Early feeding (colostrum/feed)
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Summary: Survey about colostrum:
When colostrum is infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), 90% of the germs can be eliminated on-farm using a curdling process. When an externally-located centrifugation treatment is used, this rate increases to 98%. Both methods keep the required amounts of life-sustaining bioactive proteins while the prevention of intestinal infections is strongly reduced.
From the project results, it appears that farmers whose cattle have a limited infection can treat their colostrum on farm. For heavier infections external treatment is recommended.
46 Farm Innovation – GERM MAP free colostrum by Flandres Animal Health
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/language/en-US/EN/Press-and-Media/Newsletter/Survey/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3927/Germ-free-colostrum-Reduction-of-Mycobacterium-avium-subsp-paratuberculosis-MAP-in-cow-colostrum.aspx#.XodPp4gzZPZ;
Country: BE

46 Farm Innovation – GERM MAP free colostrum by Flandres Animal Health

10 Ewe health and nutrition boosts colostrum and cuts antibiotics on Northern Ireland sheep farm by FarmAntibiotics-org (Farm Innovation)

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10 Farm Innovation
Ewe health and nutrition boosts colostrum and cuts antibiotics on Northern Ireland sheep farm by FarmAntibiotics.org
in Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Feeding management

Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: Ewe health and nutrition boosts colostrum and cuts antibiotics on Northern Ireland sheep farm: A focus on ewe health and nutrition has boosted colostrum production and enabled one Northern Ireland sheep producer to make a dramatic cut in antibiotic treatment for watery mouth in newborn lambs.
The farmer believes that a visibly-improved colostrum quality is a major reason for the reduction in the prevalence of the disease. This also has to do with gradual improvements like better ewe nutrition, genetics and general health.
10 Farm Innovation – Ewe health and nutrition boosts colostrum and cuts antibiotics on Northern Ireland sheep farm by
FarmAntibiotics.org
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://farmantibiotics.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Isaac-Crilly-sheep-Northern-Ireland.pdf;
Country: UK

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Read here about the benefit of a sheep’s higher quality colostrum.

Optimizing digestion and intestinal protection in young piglets with Lianol Basdiar

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Diarrhea is a common problem in young piglets which can lead to mortality. Ardol has developed the product Basdiar, to guide and accelerate proper intestinal development and intestinal digestion in newborn piglets.

Basdiar is a food supplement that must be dissolved in warm water (100 grams of product to 1 liter of water). It is mainly a mixture of algae and clay minerals. Due to the high iron and mineral content, Basdiar is an optimal supplement to the iron-poor colostrum and milk. It is given in a feeding bowl, which actively stimulates the natural rooting behavior so that each piglet quickly drinks water and learns to eat vegetable feed.

Basdiar is given from birth as a supplement to colostrum and sow’s milk for at least a week, about 1 liter per litter per day. It can also be fed into the piglet pen to reduce weaning dip. There are also good experiences with feeding Basdiar to the smallest piglets in the piglet barn, to improve uniformity. The product is a supplement to colostrum and sow’s milk, and can also be given simultaneously with artificial milk and candy feed.

Several trials have shown that using Basdiar decreases mortality and increases the number of weaned piglets. The piglets start off better in the piglet barn, as they are already accustomed to eating liquid feed. The litters are more uniform and have less diarrhea. Basdiar ensures:

– less loss to weaning

– sufficient moisture in the first days of life

– ALL piglets learn to eat in the farrowing pen

– an indispensable natural source of iron

– the binding of endotoxins

– a good intestinal protection

A greater feed intake in the first weeks of life and good continued growth after weaning are other benefits of this product.

 

1 Colostrum is gold – by RUMA – Responsible-Use-Of-Medicines-in-Agricultural-Alliance (Farm Innovation)

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1 Farm Innovation
#ColostrumisGold by RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agricultural Alliance)
in Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Early feeding (colostrum/feed) – Early feeding (colostrum/feed)

Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): Lower disease susceptibility
Summary: #ColostrumisGold, a website from the English company RUMA (RUMA = Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, see: https://www.ruma.org.uk/)
This easy to read farm innovation is about improving animal health and welfare, in beef and dairy cattle, pigs and sheep. The main topic of the website is colostrum; the first milk from cows, sheep and pigs. According to the website; “Colostrum is chock-full of antibodies, energy and essential nutrients that can benefit the newborn animal.”
The website includes documents with Tech tools & Tips; read antibiotic use case studies, showing implemented management changes on-farm that have reduced, refined or replaced use of their antibiotics. There is a search function to choose from. These are basics on colostrum, storing and administering colostrum and use of colostrum, in different types of material (case study, technical guide and video’s).
1 Farm Innovation – #ColostrumisGold by RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agricultural Alliance)
Where to find the original material: (in English) https://colostrumisgold.org/;
Country: UK

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#ColostrumisGold, a website from the English company RUMA (RUMA = Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, see: https://www.ruma.org.uk/)
This easy to read farm innovation is about improving animal health and welfare, in beef and dairy cattle, pigs and sheep. The main topic of the website is colostrum; the first milk from cows, sheep and pigs. According to the website; “Colostrum is chock-full of antibodies, energy and essential nutrients that can benefit the newborn animal.”
The website includes documents with Tech tools & Tips;

Use of pasteurized and acidified milk in calves nutrition

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Use of pasteurized or acidified or combined pasteurized and acidified milk in calf nutrition nowadays becomes more and more popular to prevent gastrointestinal health issues in young calves. Health issues connected to the gastrointestinal tract mostly manifest by diarrhoea, for which treatment protocols often include antibiotic usage.

One option to improve the gastrointestinal health status and reduce the necessity of antibiotic usage is feeding calves with free access to pasteurized and acidified milk. In general milk is a very favourable substance for bacterial growth. To reduce the active bacterial contamination in milk the milk can be pasteurised at 64 degrees C for 30 minutes. After it is important to cool down the pasteurised milk to 10 – 15 degrees C. To prevent diseases of the digestive tract, only pasteurized milk should be fed. But in order to provide calves with an ad libitum milk feeding system, it is advisable that pasteurized milk is additionally acidified. The low pH value of milk slows down the growth of bacteria and the acidified milk can be kept in feeders for calves for longer periods. Milk acidifiers mostly consist of organic acids which are added to pasteurised and cooled milk. Pasteurised and acidified milk can be poured in individual buckets with rubber teats in individual calf housing systems. Use of a milk taxi eases the milk distribution. Automated milk feeders can also be used in group keeping systems. The pasteurization and lowering the pH of milk controls bacterial growth and allows larger quantities of milk to be provided for ad libitum feeding of calves and provides physiological needs, promotes its health status and reduces the need for treatment with antibiotics.

Artificial Calf Feeding for Good Health

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Good nutrition is key to having healthy calves that grow into healthy adult cattle. Calves are born without rumen function – they rely on milk feeds to provide nutrients and energy while solid feed (concentrates and forage) help them gradually develop into a ruminant.  

When feeding young calves: 

  1. Feed at least two milk meals per day until at least 28 days of age. Before calves are 1 month old, their rumen is not sufficiently developed to digest solid feed well enough to constitute a meal.  
  2. Feed calf milk replacer (CMR) or pasteurized saleable whole milk to avoid transfer of infectious disease to calves. Do not feed non-saleable waste milk – milk from cows treated with antibiotics contains antibiotic residues. Feeding this contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance and harms the friendly bacteria in the calf’s gut, causing diarrhoea. 
  3. Feed at least 750g milk solids per day for the first 4 weeks. This will ensure calves have the energy and nutrients to grow, keep warm, and support their immune function. Feed higher quantities if you are aiming for growth rates of 0.7-0.8 kg/day or more. 
  4. Keep milk-feeding consistent: feed a set amount of milk at a set temperature, at a set time. Make any necessary changes gradually. 
  5. Ensure milk feeding equipment is clean. Wash it with hot water and detergent between every feed to avoid cross-contamination and bacterial build-up.  
  6. From a few days of age, offer small amounts of solid feed (concentrates and forage e.g. chopped straw) so that calves can eat small amounts to develop their rumen. Gradually increase this provision of solid feed. Wean calves when they eat 1kg of concentrate per day for 3-4 days, at approximately 6 weeks of age. 
  7. Ensure calves have access to clean, fresh water at all times. 

Preventing and treating diarrhoea (caused by rotavirus/coronavirus/cryptosporidium) in pre-weaned calves

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‘Prevention is better than cure’ for diarrhoea. This involves ensuring optimal hygiene at calving and in calf accommodation, regularly removing soiled bedding and steam cleaning, disinfecting and leaving calf pens empty, dry and in sunlight to rest between individuals/batches of calves. It is also important to clean feeding equipment with hot water and detergent between each feed. Depending on the bugs present on a farm, it is worth considering vaccination in adult cows to prevent the transmission of diseases like rotavirus to calves. 

When calves have diarrhoea, it is crucial to keep them hydrated and fed, as demonstrated in this video Optimising calf health – Managing Cryptosporidosis  

 

This farmer continues to feed milk as this provides the calf with energy, which supports their immune system in fighting disease. They also emphasize the importance of providing oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration, which can be purchased or a homemade solution can be used. This farmer combines glucose, salt, bicarbonate of soda, and a small amount of potassium chloride in a solution to provide calves with the necessary electrolytes when dehydrated. The imbalance in electrolytes caused by fluid loss from diarrhoea also causes acidosis, so the farmer provides a couple of tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda in the milk feeds to help combat this. 

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) helps to reduce fever and symptoms caused by inflammation so that calves feel better and continue to drink. Taking faecal samples to test for what is causing the diarrhoea so that the most effective treatment can be selected is key. These principles have led to this farmer reducing their calf mortality from 8% to zero and only using antimicrobials occasionally. 

The care of young dairy animals

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Good husbandry practices are an important contributor to animal health on the farm. Young dairy animals that are cared for appropriately are in a better state to combat their ailments, thus reducing need for antibiotics. At the heart of all these challenges is the overall benefit of keeping calves feeling well. Newborn dairy animals must receive adequate colostrum, both quantity and quality. If colostrum is not available, an appropriate commercial colostrum substitute should be provided. First colostrum feeding is preferably as soon as possible or latest within six hours of birth. In situations when pre-weaned calves cannot suckle, they should receive liquid feed in a way that fulfils their need to suckle. Pre-weaned calves should not be weaned off liquid feeds until the rumen has developed sufficiently to allow it to accept solid foods. Weaned heifers should have access to balanced solid feed of good quality from an early age to promote good rumen development. Cud feeding may be a good alternative for the development of rumen physiology in weaned replacement heifers. All feeding equipment used for young animals should be thoroughly cleaned after use. Feeds and grassland/pasture use should be monitored to deliver appropriate quality and amount of feed to growing weaned replacement heifers. Water must always be accessible for pre-weaned calves. 

On farm hatching of broiler chicks to improve broiler welfare, health and performance and lower the need for antibiotics in broiler production. 

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Conventional broiler chicks that are transported to the broiler farm shortly after birth can suffer from the stress of handling in the hatchery, feed and water deprivation, and during the transport. This stress is detrimental for the birds’ immunological and physiological development resulting in less resilient birds.

On-farm hatching is an innovative concept preventing the burden of this stress because eggs which have been incubated for 18 days are being hatched directly on the broiler farm. The hatched chicks have instant access to water and feed, allowing for better development of their intestines and organs. This concept results in healthier and more robust animals that are more resilient to disease pressure. The concept is available through different suppliers offering specific systems (Nestborn®, One2Born® and X-treck (Vencomatic)), varying in labour requirements, ease of use and investment.

Depending on the farm-specific availability of labour, capital and desired production scheme different solutions can be interesting. On-farm hatching needs to fit in the production schedule since you need extra time to prepare your shed for the next cycle which can create a peak in labour requirements. Additionally, some extra costs for heating the shed three days earlier will be incurred. Still, savings on medicine use are possible as well as improvements to the technical performance of the birds which may help to offset additional costs. Field trials in Flanders on two farms transitioning from conventionally hatched broilers to the NestBorn concept have shown a reduction in their antibiotic usage for the NestBorn chicks compared to conventional broiler chicks. Antibiotic use measured as mg active substance per stocked chicken decreased by 62.76% on average and on 18 out of 27 production cycles no antibiotics were used in the NestBorn system.

advance preparation for lambing

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The lambing period is a stressful period. Advanced preparation of the lambing equipment can improve productivity and reduce stress.

A cleaning-disinfecting protocol and an inventory of all lambing materials (gloves, lubricant, lambing ropes, aid to align lambs heads during birth), prolapse harness/retainer, iodine for navel disinfection, thermometer is required. At birth ensure access to: frozen colostrum, feeding bottles and teats, stomach tubes, heat lamp, milk replacer. To assist ewes: syringes and needles, oxytocin, energy boost, injectable calcium and antibiotics (under veterinary advice). Lastly: marker spray, tags, disinfectant for lambing equipment and bedding and disinfectant for pens (e.g. straw, lime), fostering crate and basin for wet fostering lambs to a surrogate mother.

During the birth period, the shepherd needs to follow the lambing process and to know how to assist lambing. Dystocia is one of the most important contributors to deaths in newborn lambs. The main causes of dystocia are a disproportionate size or poor presentation of lamb, abortion and prolapse. Assisting difficult births requires practical and theoretical knowledge. The neonatal period is the most vulnerable period in a lamb’s life, therefore understanding the significant risks can help to develop preventative strategies such as additional feeding in the last pregnancy period and reduction of environmental stress factors.