Automatic feeding of Dairy Cows

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Excessive weight loss in early lactation leads to stress and the associated problems of low fertility and increased susceptibilty to disease and lameness. Additionally binge feeding on concentrates lowers the pH in the rumen and causes metabolic disease such as acidosis which in turn reduces feed intake, increases weight loss and reduces production. Automatic feeding systems, such as the Mullerup system used at the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDC), creates consistent fresh rations mixed from three forage sources, and five straight feeds which is fed up to 16 times a day. Different rations can also be specified for each group. Feeding more frequently leads to increased dry matter intake, and increased pH in the rumen. As feeding bouts and amounts can be scheduled to leave no waste, the system increases feed palatibility and reduces waste. A consistent diet optimises the rumen microbes. Apart from the reduction in labour cost and the convenience in automation, automatic feeding increases intakes, improves body condition score, and therefore fertility and associated reduction in stress and disease. Regulating and increasing rumen pH reduces metabolic diseases, improves milk yield and constituents, thereby increasing milk income. Profit and sustainability is increased by the reduction in waste feed and increases in feed efficiency. Reducing stress by reduction of ketosis and acidosis, having a stable rumen environment leads to better animal welfare and reduced antibiotic use. The managers and staff at the SWDC cite automatic feeding as the one technology that they value the most.

Organic acid blends as reliable solution for reduction of antibiotics in piglet production

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Weaning pigs is a challenging time. Piglets are always very sensitive to E. coli diarrhoea and after 10 days Streptococcus problems can arise, sometimes causing disease in the brain (meningitis) and other organs (septicaemia). This causes piglets to limp, lose their balance and tilt their head. Streptococcus requires a lot of follow-up, control and which takes a lot of time and work. In reality, farmers are continuously testing concepts available on the market, and very promising outcomes are observed when applying organic acids via the drinking water. Since some organic acids are not easy to get solubilized into water, you need dedicated formulations supported by specific emulsification technologies which enhance user convenience, efficacy and flexibility. Some convenient concepts are available on the market – such as for example Eubisol – and are applied in a 1:10 dilution ratio with water, followed by 1/1000 dilution via Dosatron. For the Eubisol case, farmers witnessed a significant decrease of use of antibiotics by 36%, and especially against Streptococcus by 60%. Farmers across the globe are very satisfied with water based solutions as witnessed in the video.

Acidification of drinking water: why and how?

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In pigs and poultry, acidification of the drinking water can be a very effective tool to prevent or lower the need for antibiotics. Acidification can have multiple beneficial effects, such as improved palatability and thus water intake, improved digestion, prebiotic effect and reduction of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella). Each type of acid or acid mixture has its own specific properties. Moreover, disinfection products or other compounds present in the water can interfere or react with acids. In some cases, organic acids can cause slime formation due to growth of yeasts and fungi. Always consult your vet/advisor to discuss which acid (mixture) suits your drinking water system and water quality best. Once a suitable acid (mixture) is chosen, the correct dosage is the key to success.

How to determine the correct dosage:

1. Fill a bucket with 10l of the water to be tested.
2. Put on safety glasses and acid resistant gloves.
3. Take a disposable syringe of 10 or 20 ml and fill it with the acid (mixture) to be tested.
4. Add 5 ml of the acid (mixture) to the water and measure the pH with a pH strip or pH meter (both for sale at the pharmacy). Repeat this step until you reach the desired pH (typically around pH 4; discuss this with your vet/advisor)
5. Write down how much acid (mixture) you added to the water (= ‘x’ ml)
6. Calculate the dosage:
x millilitre of acid added to 10 litres of water =>
DOSAGE = x/10 litre of acid per 1000 litre of water
7. Repeat this procedure every time the water source or type of acid (mixture) is changed

How to take a good water sample for lab analysis?

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1. Take a bottle that is as clean as possible and rinse it several times with the water to be analysed. A number of labs also have receptacles available.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. For a sample directly from a reservoir you take a mixed sample of different subsamples. You should preferably scoop these subsamples about 30 cm below the water surface. After good mixing, the receptacle can be filled.
4. Follow the following procedure for a sample from a tap:
– To know the quality of the starting water (the source), choose a tap as close to the source as possible.
– To check the quality at the drinking points, take a sample from a tap that is as far from the source as possible.
5. Clean the tap well, preferably also with an alcohol tissue.
6. If you want to know the quality of the starting water (the source), let the tap run for some minutes. To detect problems with biofilm formation in the pipes or to check if a disinfectant works effectively, let it run only for a short time.
7. Fill the receptacle for bacteriology first, then the receptacle for chemical parameters.
8. It is important that the samples reach the lab as soon as possible. If this is not possible, make sure that the samples are kept cool (refrigerated) for storage and transportation.

Best Practice Guide: Adapted feeding, watering and additives for animal health

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Check out this collection of practical information about internal adapted feeding, watering and additives for animal health!

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Best Practice Guide: Youngstock Management and Early Rearing

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Check out this collection of practical information about youngstock management and early rearing!

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390 – Phytochemicals as antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and enhance host health (Research paper – Lillehoj – 2018)

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390 Research paper – Lillehoj – 2018 – Phytochemicals as antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and enhance host health

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Scientists from industry and academia and government research institutes shared their experience in developing and applying potential antibiotic-alternative phytochemicals commercially to reduce AGPs and to develop a sustainable animal production system in the absence of antibiotics.

Where to find the original material: https://veterinaryresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13567-018-0562-6; 10.1186/s13567-018-0562-6
Country: USA

386 – Eficacitatea probioticelor în tratamentul gastroenteropatiilor la puii broiler (Research paper – Balanescu – 2017)

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386 Research paper – Balanescu – 2017 – Eficacitatea probioticelor în tratamentul gastroenteropatiilor la puii broiler

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;
Summary:
An experiment using broiler chickens (Ros-308) was conducted to assess the influence of the commercial preparation Rescue Kit SL (containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, betaine, vitamins and microelements), administered in the drinking water (1g/litre) from the age of 9 to 14 days. One group that was not given the additive, was considered as control. Performance indices were measured weekly and blood samples were collected from 14, 35 and 50-d-old chicks for biochemical and hematological analyses. The results indicate a reduced lethality rate in experimental group – 3.5%, while 3.9% (control). At the end of the production cycle (50 days) the body weight was by 50 g higher in broiler chickens from the experimental group. The preparation Rescue Kit SL induced the increase of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, total protein and glucose in blood serum.
386 Research paper – Balanescu – 2017 – Eficacitatea probioticelor în tratamentul gastroenteropatiilor la puii broiler
https://sa.

Where to find the original material: https://sa.uasm.md/index.php?journal=sa&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=117;
Country: MD

385 SUINLACT – bioaditiv furajer utilizat in alimentatia suinelor by IBNA (Industry Innovation)

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385 Industry Innovation – SUINLACT – bioaditiv furajer utilizat in alimentatia suinelor by IBNA

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
SUINLACT is a feed bioadditive based on polyculture with selected strains of lactic acid bacteria that produce lactic acid and some bacteriocins and counterfeit to prevent and control enterocolitis in pigs by populating the digestive tract with these health-friendly bacteria.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ibna.ro/pdf/SUINLACT-pliant-2008-1.pdf;
Country: RO