Farmers urged to implement health programmes

It is very important for any livestock farmer to develop and follow a disease control programme or calendar to ensure that their animals are healthy, perform optimally and participate in the market.

"Livestock health has a direct link to performance because some diseases or health conditions result in huge economic losses. Livestock health is compromised by disease-causing organisms, predisposing factors related to environmental conditions, and livestock management such as nutrition and handling, amongst others," Agribank’s technical advisor for livestock and rangeland management, Erastus Ngaruka said.

When developing an animal health calendar, one needs to consider the common prevailing diseases in the farming area and the diseases that are termed "state controlled," or compulsory vaccinations, he noted.

Compulsory vaccinations in Namibia target diseases such as foot and mouth, anthrax, brucellosis, and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.

Other factors that can influence animal health calendars include environmental conditions, marketing and breeding activities, amongst others.

There are other diseases affecting livestock production that need to be prevented. These include botulism, pasteurellosis (pneumonia), enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney), chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion), lumpy skin disease, and blackquarter, amongst others.

"To maintain a good animal health status, prevention is key, and it all starts at the farm," Ngaruka underlined.

To-do list

The first task is to ensure that the farming environment is clean and safe for both animals and humans.

"Animals should be protected from hazardous environments such as dumpsites where they can eat harmful objects such as bones, plastic, batteries, etc., and sewerage sites or bush toilets where they can be exposed to pathogens, and/or parasites such as the taenia saginata that cause beef measles."

In addition, the kraal environment poses health risks to livestock.

"A dirty or unhygienic kraal can harbour different harmful organisms or bacteria, for example the Clostridium tetani that causes tetanus."

In unhygienic kraals, ticks, fleas and lice prevail.

"Farmers need to prevent disease transmission by ensuring that sick animals are isolated and the environment or premises are disinfected. Moreover, newly bought animals should be subjected to quarantine, inspection, and vaccination to ensure that they are healthy before their introduction or incorporation with others."

Knowledge empowers

Farmers need to learn about the different diseases and their symptoms, including remedial actions.

"This will help them detect diseases early and provide the correct remedies well in time."

Another important aspect is the use and handling of veterinary medicines. There are concerns from farmers that medicines are not effective and cause abnormalities or conditions such as abortions, lameness, pain and even deaths, Ngaruka said.

However, no medicine is manufactured deliberately to cause harm to animals. The crucial factors, he explained, are the way in which the medicine is handled and used and the condition and handling of the animals.

He said vaccines are only used on healthy animals to prevent diseases.

The dosage is predetermined and the handling and use requires that a cool temperature (2°C – 8°C) chain be maintained (not frozen) from the supplier to the kraal.

On the other hand, Ngaruka explained, sick animals are treated with antibiotics.

"These remedies need to be used with care and when necessary. Their dosage is 1ml per 1kg of body weight and the medicine should not be exposed to hot or freezing conditions but be kept at room temperature."

Moreover, farmers should take note of the expiry dates.

"In conclusion, develop and use your own animal health plan or programme, and ensure that all necessary vaccinations are done at the right time. It is very important to have a first-aid box where all critical medicines are available for possible emergency situations such as bloat, poisoning, injuries and any other conditions of concern in your kraal. Lastly, always observe your livestock's condition and behaviour and consult your veterinarian or an expert for advice.