Tips to keep cattle healthy

Environment

Provide a comfortable, hygienic and safe environment for all dairy animals. Adopt measures such as clearing the bushes on the farm to prevent parasitic infestations.

Nutrition

Ensure calves consume adequate colostrums. Provide ample amounts of clean drinking water.

Give animals enough feed to allow for maintenance, growth, pregnancy weight gain and lactation. Adjust feed quantities to ensure that animals are not too thin/fat. Ensure that feeding is balanced for energy and protein and supplement with minerals and vitamins.

Vaccination

Vaccinate animals against diseases prevalent in the area. Follow up with booster vaccines where required.

Parasite control

Regular de-worming (every three months) should be done. Control tick infestation through regular spraying, at least once a week or otherwise depending on the acaricides in use.

Movement of animals

Do not bring sick animals into the farm or animals from an area infested with disease. Observe quarantine regulations.

When purchasing new stock, ensure that the animal is healthy and has had any necessary vaccinations before moving onto your farm.

Treatment of diseases

Observe animals regularly for abnormalities and seek advice/treatment from qualified persons.

Cull the animals with chronic infections not responding to treatment e.g. chronic mastitis.