Irish dairy and suckler farmers should be gearing up to prepare for an onslaught of summer mastitis in replacement heifers and dry cows as cattle move out to pasture.
Another related issue to be factored in this year is the ominous threat of bluetongue (BTV), a viral disease of both cattle and sheep that is transmitted by infected midges.
This was a key talking point at the recent Balmoral Show in the wake of the UK government banning all live ruminant exports. The decision follows confirmed BTV outbreaks in England.
Driving the threats caused by flies and biting insects, is the weather that has impacted across the island of Ireland for the past year.
12 months of almost continuous rain, followed by a dramatic rise in temperatures, have combined to create the perfect conditions for fly populations.
So, not alone are we expecting a rise in fly and midge numbers throughout the summer months of 2024, the additional cause of concern will be the earlier than normal production of eggs, larvae and adult insects.
David Morgan of Caltech Crystalyx said: “As fly populations increase, the threat of summer mastitis rises in a corresponding manner.”
Summer mastitis predominantly occurs during the warm summer months with cattle out at pasture.
The disease affects non-lactating cows, but will also affect replacement heifers, leading to devastating consequences.
Mastitis
Very few affected quarters will recover, so any treatment is purely salvage and the main goals should be to avoid the disease, or at least minimise its incidence.
“The supervision of heifers and cows at pasture during the summer months can be sporadic due to other commitments on the farm, so mastitis can be well advanced before clinical signs are seen.”
Transmission of infection is thought to be linked to summer flying insects, most notably the sheep head fly: Hydrotaea Irritans.
The fly eggs over-winter in sandy soils and emerge in June or July.
“These flies live in bushes and trees, and can only fly during mild, damp, humid conditions and low wind speeds. High winds and heavy rains inhibit fly activity.
“Hence, cases tend to be associated with ‘problem fields’ next to woods and high hedges,” he added.
Constant and high levels of worrying by flies around the affected teat orifice cause considerable irritation and frequent kicking which facilitates bacterial entry directly into the teat canal.
The affected quarter, or often whole udder, becomes swollen, inflamed and very painful. A yellow, foul-smelling discharge usually leaks out of these swollen teats and inevitably attracts more flies – increasing the potential for infection transfer to other nearby stock.
As the disease progresses, irreversible tissue damage occurs and the quarter will undoubtedly be lost.
A very effective way of reducing irritation from flies and other biting insects in grazing heifers and other livestock is to make the animals’ coat less attractive on which to land.
This can be achieved by making Crystalyx Garlyx feed blocks available to stock while at grass during the summer months.
The intense and penetrating odour of garlic is due to the intensely smelling high-sulphur compounds it contains.
When consumed by stock these compounds are expelled through pores in the skin. This produces an invisible barrier or screen, which flies and other nuisance biting insects find repellent and hostile.
David Morgan continued:
“Crystalyx Garlyx contains a concentrated garlic extract which, when consumed, acts as a constant natural deterrent to help ward off flies and other biting insects throughout the grazing season.”
David made these comments during a recent visit to the dairy farm of William O’Grady.
He milks 130 spring calving cows at Bricana, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny. The cows are currently average 6.300L of milk, producing 500kg of solids.
Rearing his own heifers has always been a priority for William. Over recent years, he has been using increased levels of sexed semen on his top cows in order to speed up the rate of genetic progress that is achieved within the herd.
It’s an approach that is paying dividends for him. Summer mastitis had been an issue on the O’Grady farm up to four years ago.
“I then started putting out the Crystalyx Garlyx feed tubs with heifers while at grass. I have not had one case of summer mastitis since taking this approach.”
The heifers on the O’Grady farm are, traditionally grazed on a block of land, which is directly adjacent to a wooded area.
“It’s a location that is very suited to flies and other biting insects,” William admitted.
“And this, no doubt, was adding to the summer mastitis issues that cropped up in the past. However, putting the Garlyx feed blocks out with the heifers provided a very effective solution to the problem. They keep the flies at bay!”
To find out more about Crystalyx Garlyx and to find you nearest stockist visit the Crystalyx website by clicking here
