Farmers should feed youngstock colostrum in sufficient quantity, and quickly enough after birth in order to reduce the need for antibiotics, Scotland’s chief veterinary officer (CVO), Sheila Voas, has said.“It really is worth ensuring that colostrum is available in sufficient quantity and quality by maintaining correct feeding of the mother during pregnancy, especially in the latter weeks and using vaccinations to ensure that the quantities of antibodies are optimal.
Farmers should feed youngstock colostrum in sufficient quantity, and quickly enough after birth in order to reduce the need for antibiotics, Scotland’s chief veterinary officer (CVO), Sheila Voas, has said.
“It really is worth ensuring that colostrum is available in sufficient quantity and quality by maintaining correct feeding of the mother during pregnancy, especially in the latter weeks and using vaccinations to ensure that the quantities of antibodies are optimal.
“It is also important that it is fed or consumed in sufficient quantity and quickly enough after birth to be fully effective.
“By getting these factors right, neonatal losses can be minimised and youngstock will be generally healthier, reducing the need for antibiotic treatments or other potentially costly interventions,” Voas told Farmers Journal Scotland.
The CVO is backing a colostrum campaign by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA).
“Receiving adequate colostrum, quickly enough, could virtually eliminate watery mouth E. coli infection in lambs without need for antibiotic treatments. It could more than halve cases of pneumonia in calves,” RUMA advises.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: