Some local dairy farmers use locally available grass, agricultural by-products, and industrial waste as feed to cut down on feeding costs. However, improper handling of these feeds can lead to health issues in cows, resulting in reduced milk production, lower quality milk, and even death in severe cases. Below are some common feed-related conditions that affect dairy cattle.
**1. Moldy Corn Disease**
When corn becomes moldy, it can produce harmful toxins such as aflatoxin and Fusarium. When cows consume this contaminated feed, they may show symptoms like reduced or stopped rumination, cloudiness in the eyes, yellowing of mucous membranes, diarrhea, weight loss, and bruising around the nose and inner thighs. In severe cases, cows may become disoriented, excited, or even collapse and die.
Treatment involves immediately stopping the feeding of moldy corn. Magnesium sulfate (400–600 grams) can be mixed with water and given orally. Intravenous administration of 500–1000 mL of 5% glucose solution in normal saline, along with 50 mL of 40% urotropine, is also recommended.
Prevention includes keeping corn moisture below 12.5%, avoiding long-term storage, and not feeding any moldy corn. If moldy corn is unavoidable, it can be soaked in a 10% lime water solution, and the soaking liquid should be discarded before using the corn as feed.
**2. Rotten Sweet Potato Disease**
Sweet potatoes affected by black spot disease or those used to make sweet potato noodles may contain mycotoxins. Cows that consume these can develop serious health problems. Symptoms include mental confusion, weakened or stopped rumination, constipation with bloody stools, normal or elevated body temperature (up to 40°C), rapid and shallow breathing, weak heartbeat, and in severe cases, coma, convulsions, and death.
Treatment involves stopping all sweet potato-based feed immediately. A mixture of 500 grams of green mung beans and 500 grams of honey can be given orally once daily. Alternatively, a 0.1–0.2% potassium permanganate solution (2000 mL) can be administered. For constipation, 400–600 grams of magnesium sulfate can be given orally. Intravenous fluids, including 1000 mL of blood, 500–1000 mL of 25% glucose, 1000 mL of physiological saline, 10 mL of sodium thiosulfate, 250–500 mL of 5% sodium bicarbonate, and 40–60 mL of 5% vitamin C, are also recommended.
Prevention includes avoiding feeding cows any sweet potatoes with black spots, even if they are cooked. Toxic sweet potatoes should be buried deeply, and infected tubers should be dried during processing for starch or alcohol production.
By carefully managing feed quality and ensuring proper storage and preparation, dairy farmers can significantly reduce the risk of these diseases and maintain the health and productivity of their herds.
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