Rainy Season and Animal Health: Needs better husbandry practices to reduce disease risks

Livestock is an important component in Agriculture. We have a large population of cattle, goat, buffalo, sheep and chicken as well. Now it is rainy season in Bangladesh. Livestock production in rainy season always create some new problems. Farmers face different problems along with increasing disease risks which lead to reduce production in rainy season. Major problems in this season along with the possible way out through better husbandry practices are discussed here.

Dampness of floor in animal shed 

Damp floor affects the animal health. Moist floor one of the important reason of cattle illness during rainy season. In rainy season, shed roof leaking is very common especially in case of marginal farmers. As a result the floor get wet which leads to many diseases. High moisture in the air during rainy season is also a reason. Hygiene and dryness inside the shed give comfort to animal which increase the production as well as reduce disease risk. There are a number of diseases associated with shed hygiene. 

Parasitic Problems

During rainy season, different ecto-parasitic load increases especially tick and flies. Tick attack the dry area of the cow. Bovine babesiosis (Tick fever) is a tick borne disease. They are too dangerous to lead the cows to death as well. Tick can cause east coast fever to cow also. Flies also the carrier or vector of many diseases. Beside this endo-parasitic load also increases during rainy season. 

Diseases in the rainy season

Animals are susceptible to various diseases in rainy season. Basically livestock always be in high risk of diseases in rainy season due to high bacterial, viral and parasitic load. Some major disease like Foot and Mouth diseases (FMD), Black quarter, Anthrax, Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Different udder diseases including mastitis, Parasitic diseases Coccidiosis, Metabolic diseases like Bloat, Diarrhea, Tympanitis, Grass tetany are found common. 

Feed Problem

Feed are moist in the rainy season with long storage and develop mould in the feed which create metabolic diseases like Diarrhea, increase  parasitic load of GI tract, even cancer to animal. Beside these, feed storage, transportation is also problematic during rainy season. Some times feed supply to animal is difficult due to shortage of feed during flood or prolonged rain. 

All the problems farmer faced during rainy season can be solved through strategic management of livestock.  Good husbandry practices only can solve these problem and run the farm profitably.

1. All the problems associated with the extra moisture of rainy season. So the first and foremost duty of a farm owner  to maintain the floor hygiene of the farm, keep it dry as possible. At the same time roof leakage should be identified (if there any) and repair it before the rainy season.

2. FMD, Black Quarter  Anthrax and HS are Fatal and contagious diseases. Vaccinate your animal for these diseases. The outbreak of these diseases are mostly seen in rainy season. Following vaccination schedule must be followed especial before the rainy season. 

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Name of the Vaccine	Time of vaccination	Immunity	Dose
Anthrax	Once in a year (before monsoon)	One season	1 ml, S/c
FMD	About 6 months of age, then booster after 4 months, Every 4 Month	One season	3 ml, I/m
Black Quarter	Once in a year (before monsoon)	One season	5 ml, S/c
HS	Once in a year (before monsoon)	One season	5 ml, S/c

3. To remove the ecto-parasites, farm hygiene is important. Regular disinfectant the farm as well as spray the individual animal to minimize the ecto parasitic infestations.  Beside Clean the farm and the floor every day. Clean the manger and good management of left over feed can reduce the fly and other ecto-parasite as well.

4. Due to high risk of endo-parasite in rainy season, Deworm all the animals in the beginning of the rainy season and throughout the rainy season to reduce the risk as well. This is a must to do practice in rainy season.

5. All the feed and raw feed ingredients should be stored in a dry place in rainy season. For long term storage, feed should be check before supplying to the animals.

6. In this season, roughage management is also important to prevent bloat, grass tetany and other metabolic disorder as well.  Grass maturity is a matter of concern in this season. Better to supply the grass after sun drying for 15-20 minutes.

7. As the Lumpy Skin diseases outbreak is running, farm bio-security is very important. This is a highly contagious viral disease. Quarantine is must for newly introduced animal in the farm at least 21 days. Bio-security can keep your farm safe from lots of diseases. Keep the Visitors or outsiders as minimum as possible in your farm.

Hope these management practices help to keep your farm safe in this season. Stay safe. 

Nuronnabi Sagor