By-Chakravarthi. R, Kamani Dinesh Reddy and Alimudeen.S
Final year students, Madras Veterinary College.
The animal, a cow or buffalo that produces milk should be free from zoonotic diseases and other diseases of Veterinary importance, so that the quality and quantity of milk will be enriched automatically. What if a cow producing 10-20 Litres of Milk get diseased treated with antibiotic and needed to be under withdrawl period of milk, even if not followed keeping in mind about the quality and quantity loss of milk, the economic loss incurred to the farmer will be high and intangible. These losses are generally inaccountable and inevitable. However on following the steps below we can reduce the incidence of such occurrence of economic loss.
The suggested good dairy farming practices for animal health are set out under the following headings:
• Establish the herd with resistance to disease.
• Prevent entry of disease onto the farm.
• Have an effective herd health management programme in place.
• Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as directed.
Establish the herd with resistance to disease:
• Choose breeds and animals well suited to the local environment and
farming system:
Different dairy species and breeds have different requirements. Selecting dairy animals that are suited to the local environment will greatly reduce the risks to productivity posed by animal health and welfare problems. Of particular relevance is the animals’ ability to adapt to climatic extremes, feed quality, local parasites (especially ticks) and their acquired resistance to endemic disease. In Indian scenario, Cross breeding lead to phenomenonal lack of disease resistance genes that are developed by the Indigenous breeds on adopting to the native tract . Jesrsey cross breeds and HF cross breeds are in general carry only half the proportion of genes from indigenous population gene pool in which the probability of inheritance of genes of disease resistance is very low. This process of inheritance is still decreased due to repeated cross breeding. The trait of quantity of milk may be increased but the cross bred animals are highly prone for infectious diseases. On the other hand, the native breeds like Kankrej, Gir, Sindhi, Ongole, Kangayam, Umbalacherry, Pullikulam perform comparatively well both in production in terms of quantity and quality and disease resistance.
• Determine herd size and stocking rate based on management skills, local
conditions and the availability of land, infrastructure, feed, and other inputs:
Larger herds and higher stocking rates generally require a higher level of organisation, infrastructure and skill to manage. The risks are magnified in these specialised dairy farming systems. Disease burdens can be higher and individual animals requiring intervention can be more difficult to identify and treat. Good planning and management skills are required to manage risks that have serious consequences. In Indian scenario, there are only few organised dairy farms with high throughputs, the majority of livestock holdings are scattered in rural set up with the highest holding of 10 milch cows per farmer. The farm level Managerial operations are of high efficiency in Indian Dairy Sector.
• Vaccinate all animals as recommended or required by local animal health
Authorities:
Vaccination is a useful tool to limit the impact of disease by increasing the immunity of the animal population to specific pathogens. Animal health authorities can provide dairy farmers with information about the specific vaccines which are recommended for their area. In some dairying regions, dairy farmers are required by law to vaccinate their stock against serious contagious diseases. In Indian Scenario, the cows are to be vaccinated against Food and Mouth Disease, Haemorrhagic Septicemia and Black Quarter diseases as per schedule fixed by state governments based on the outbreaks. Normally HS and BQ vaccination are given pre-monsoon on the region.
Prevent entry of disease onto the farm:
• Only buy animals of known health status (both herd and individual
animals) and control their introduction to the farm using quarantine if indicated:
The most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is to keep a closed herd. This means no new animals enter the herd and previously resident animals do not re-enter after they have left the herd. This is difficult to achieve in practice, so strict control of any animal introductions is essential. Increased risk of disease may also occur when animals share grazing or other facilities. Prior to being introduced to the farm, all dairy herds and animals should be screened for diseases that are significant to their area of origin and new location. All animals should have:
1. an identification system to enable trace back to their source (a birth to death identification system); and
2. some form of Vendor Declaration or certification that details the health/disease status of animals and any appropriate tests, treatments, vaccinations or other procedures that have been or are being carried out. Potential sellers of dairy livestock must keep appropriate permanent animal health records for their animals. The health status of the vendor herd should also be certified. This is particularly important for diseases with long incubation periods like paratuberculosis etc.
3. Where the animals’ health status is unknown, they should be kept under quarantine or separate to the existing animals for an appropriate length of time.
• Ensure animal transport on and off the farm does not introduce disease:
Potential buyers of live animals should always ask and be told if the animals are sick or diseased. Preferably, no sick or infirm animals should be transported alive. A suitably trained operative or a veterinarian should carry out any euthanizing required on-farm. The disposal of diseased and dead animals should be done in a way that minimizes the risk of disease spread and in line with the guidelines in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Code and/or local regulations. For example, transport vehicles should not move dead or diseased animals from one farm to another farm, without taking appropriate actions to minimize the risk of spreading disease. In Indian scenario, these protocols are followed during disease outbreaks like Anthrax.
• Monitor risks from adjoining land and neighbours and have secure boundaries:
Be aware of local (endemic) diseases and/or exotic diseases which have the potential to affect the health of the herd or flock, especially from neighbouring farms. Contain animals appropriately to ensure there is no risk of disease spread between farms and within farms. This step can be easily bring into action by increasing the farmers education in Indian Scenario, whixh is extensively done by conducting training programmes to farmers by District Veterinary Hospitals and Veterinary KVKs and Veterinary University Training and Research centres established zonal wise.
• Where possible, limit access of people and wildlife to the farm:
People (and vehicles) visiting a number of farms may spread disease between the farms. Keep tanker/milk pick up access and public tracks clear of faecal contamination. Restrict access to an ‘as needs’ basis and put in place appropriate processes to minimize disease spread. Visitors to the farm should wear clean protective clothing and clean, disinfected footwear if entering areas that pose a high risk of transferring disease onto or from the farm. Records of all visitors should be kept as appropriate. Disease can be spread both from and to humans and wildlife. Avoid visitor contact with animals unless necessary. These strict Biosecurity measures are carried out at farm level strictly in Indian conditions, but in extensive farming the access of farm animal to wild life especially in forest regions is inevitable.
• Only use clean equipment from a known source.
Ensure all agricultural and veterinary equipment introduced on to the farm is clean and steps have been taken to prevent the introduction of disease. This may include asking questions about the history of where the equipment comes from and how it has been used. Take extra care with shared or borrowed equipment. Disinfection of farm equipments must be done with high care.
Have an effective herd health management programme in place:
• Use an identification system that allows all animals to be identified
individually from birth to death:
All dairy animals should be easily identifiable by all people who come in contact with them. The systems used should be permanent, allowing individual animals to be uniquely identified from birth to death. Examples of identification systems include ear tagging, tattooing, freeze branding and radio frequency identification (RFID) measures such as microchips. In Indian Scenario, cows and buffalos are generally identified by using Ear Tags uniformly which is attempted to the possible extent.
• Develop an effective farm herd health management programme focused on prevention that meets farm needs as well as regional and national requirements:
Herd health programmes aim to keep all livestock healthy and productive. They should include the farm’s practices for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of relevant animal diseases, including internal and external parasites. It is important to ensure a consistent approach to herd health, so all staff should be aware of and understand the farm’s
herd health programme. The programme should cover all aspects of animal husbandry and handling, milk harvesting as well as other dairy farm management practices relevant to animal health. This may include disease screening, vaccination and/or control measures being required by animal health authorities or supply contracts. Where effective vaccines are available, they may be used to increase resistance to disease. Prophylactic treatments may be required as protective measures when no viable alternative strategy exists. Effective herd health programmes should be developed in consultation with appropriately
skilled people such as veterinarians.
• Regularly check animals for signs of disease:
Observe all animals regularly and use proven methods to aid in detection and accurate diagnosis of infectious disease. Some useful tools may include rectal thermometers, observations of animal behaviour and body condition, and examination of foremilk. Laboratory or other tests may be necessary to screen animals for disease. Herd and/or animal-level disease testing may also be available through statutory disease control programmes or communal milk collection/herd improvement centres. Detailed breeding and reproductive records should be kept and animals observed at appropriate stages as many diseases are associated with reproduction. Clinical diseases should be investigated to determine the underlying cause(s) so that animals can be treated and further cases prevented. Regular management practices such as hoof care programmes can reduce the incidence of lameness. This is possible in Indian Scenario only in farm conditions.
• Sick animals should be attended to quickly and in an appropriate way:
Treat all disease, injury and poor health by proven methods after accurate diagnosis. Treat diseased animals appropriately to minimize the prevalence of infection and the source of pathogens.
• Keep sick animals isolated
Where possible and if indicated, keep sick animals isolated on the farm to minimize the spread of contagious disease. Provide separate facilities and/or milk sick animals last. Prompt treatment can limit the spread of infectious agents. Clean and disinfect equipment after it has been in contact with sick animals and ensure people coming into contact with these animals take precautions to avoid infections.
• Manage animal diseases that can affect public health (zoonoses):
Follow local regulations and OIE recommendations to control zoonoses. Aim to keep diseases of public health significance at a level in animal populations that is not hazardous to
people. Avoid direct transmission to people through appropriate animal management and
hygienic practices. Ensure the safe disposal of animal waste and carcases. Prevent the contamination of milk with faeces and urine or other animal wastes. Do not use milk from sick animals for human consumption. Manage the risks posed by drinking raw milk from farms.
Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as directed:
• Use chemicals according to directions, calculate dosages carefully and observe the appropriate withholding period:
Using agricultural and veterinary chemicals for the purpose of which they were approved, and in accordance with label directions, gives a predictable outcome whilst managing thepotential risks. Dairy farmers should manage the use of all chemicals to prevent the chemicals adversely affecting animal health and productivity, the health and safety of the user, the environment or the safety and quality of milk and meat products.The withholding period (or withdrawal period) is the minimum period which must elapse between last administration or application of a chemical product and the first grazing, slaughter for meat and/or harvesting of milk for human consumption. Be aware of chemicals that can leave residues in milk. These may include detergents, teat disinfectants, dairy sanitisers, anti-parasitics, antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.
Dairy farmers should:
1. use chemicals only for the purpose for which they are approved. For example lactating
2. animals should never be treated with veterinary products that are not recommended for treatment of animals producing milk supplied for processing or otherwise used for human consumption;
3. read the label as it will contain all the information about the legal and safe use of the chemical;
4. follow the advice of Veterinarian regarding the dosage regimen to be followed.
5. observe the specified withholding periods.
6. Off label usage of veterinary drugs are not advised.
On concluding following the simple protocols and Biosecurity measures listed to an extent possible will impose greater benefits on both farmer’s and nation’s economy. As a major contributor of GDP, dairy industry of the nation completely relies upon the animal health so give due importance to the producer’s health. Gaining emphasis on the One Health Concept and throwing light on Good Dairy Farming Practices and Good Manufacturig Process, ensure quality production of Milk rather mere quantity. Always keep the first goal to ensure five basic freedom of animals to maintain animal health. Freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain,injury and disease, freedom from fear and discomfort and freedom to express their normal behaviour. These freedoms of Animal Welfare ensures absolute Animal Health.
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
– Mahatma Gandhi
