My BEBS have tummy aches.
Yep, they are off a little which means a whole lot to us.
The milk production is down and that is not good. Not good at all.
When the cow’s productions goes down we start investigating right away for the source of the problem.
In my vast (insert sarcasm here) experience with cow conditions most issues can be traced back their diet. We keep our herd healthy with good feed mixes. And, if you keep all the puzzle pieces correct you can avoid illness. Unlike people our BEBs don’t run to the med station for a pill or shot to make them better. We are proactive with their health and continually evaluate and formulate the best feed to keep them healthy and productive.
But, something is off. Production is way down and the BEBs aren’t feeling well.
When the girls don’t feel well they don’t eat. When they don’t eat, they can’t produce milk. One of the reasons for the BEBs to be off could be from bad feed. Bad feed meaning not as high in nutrients as thought or the storage of the feed lacked. The nutritionist is recreating new TMR – total mixed rations.
Another source of concern is the water. Are they drinking enough? If the water is dirty that could contribute. All the water troughs have been checked. Also in the winter if the water is too cold the BEBs don’t want to drink as much. They need the water to make milk.
Cows have bugs (microorganism) that help them digest their feed. If the bugs get out of kilter digest is hampered. Thus, this could be causing the tummy aches. And you think you feel bad when you have the flu? These girls have four tummies.
We have added yeast to the diet. The reason for yeast is to feed the bugs the girls need to digest the feed. Don’t get grossed out, we all have bugs.
We are also feeding the very expensive OmniGen. The reason is molds and mycotoxins are commonly found throughout the environment and occur in most feedstuffs, including both forages and concentrates. Molds produce mycotoxins, which are poisons produced by mold on feedstuffs when conditions are suitable (i.e. high moisture, adequate substrate, suitable temperatures, adequate oxygen, and physical damage to thecommodity).
Molds and mycotoxins have a negative effect on animal performance:
Reduced feed intake and growth.
Depressed nutrient absorption and metabolism.
Suppressed immune system.
Increased mortality and abortions.
New research findings from Oregon State University have established a link between the mold
Aspergillus fumigatus and Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome (HBS).
OmniGen AF™ forms part of a nutritional strategy to reduce mold and mycotoxin impact.
I don’t remember having any issues like this in the past.
While this isn’t life threatening and doesn’t compromise the quality of our milk it does cause great concern when we could possibly lose thousands of pounds of milk a day. The dairy business doesn’t have much wiggle room.
If were only as simple as dolling out Pepto Bismol to all the girls. Wow, how long would it take to spoon feed the 700 girls in the barn? How many bottles would it take?
For now, we are depending on the wisdom of our herdsman and the nutritionist to correct this problem.
And it’s one more issue to bring into my circle of prayer around the farm. God is no respecter of living creatures. We are doing our best to take care of his critters.
Psalm 50:10-12
New King James Version (NKJV)
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
