HOW TO FEED SNAILS.

A FREE E- BOOK ON HOW TO FEED SNAILS.

AGRIBUSINESS: Effects of hot weather on heat detection and breeding.

AGRIBUSINESS: Effects of hot weather on heat detection and breeding.While good weather can be of huge benefit for farmers, it can also be a roadblock if it hangs around for too long or is too intense. It can make heat detection and breeding more difficult in myriad ways. Heat stress can affect or hamper hormone production in cattle which can lead to cows or heifers not displaying signs of heat. This is known as silent heats, or subestrus. Specifically, heat stress can cause an increase in cortisol secretion which has been reported to block estradiol and reduce estrus behavior. Bull fertility Heat stress also affects the breeding performance of bulls. While hot weather in general can affect bull fertility (bull testes must be 2-6°C cooler than core body temperature for fertile sperm to be produced) heat stress can be detrimental to semen quality, testicular volume, sexual behavior. This in turn affects conception rates, fertility rates and bull fitness. One thing to bear in mind is that younger bulls are more susceptible to elevated air temperatures. READ: Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle. FODDER/ FEED. If your cow isn’t getting enough green grass, this means they might not be getting enough minerals such as phosphorus, or trace elements like copper and cobalt, which all help promote the cow having a strong estrus. Cattle can also suffer from a Vitamin A deficiency after a long drought due to the cow not getting enough beta carotene (which cows convert to Vitamin A) which is usually rich in green grass. These deficiencies can be an issue during drought periods, or during winter, when grass isn’t as green. Drought can compound vitamin A deficiency because plants go dormant early in the year and it’s a long time before animals eat green grass again. Heat Stress In hot climates, or in years where there is abnormally high temperatures, cows can end up miscarrying due to heat stress. In one case, reported , German farmer Phillip Ellerbrock found a 40-45 day old embryo behind a cow.This was after a prolonged period of 35C temperatures. Not only did this happen, but fields of grass and grain were dried up and burned by the sun. There are a number of ways you can prevent and alleviate Heat Stress and its effects on your herd. If they are out on pasture, ensure that they have an area of shade where they can stay cool if they need to. In some hot countries farmers dig cooling ponds.If they are in housing, make sure you have a cooling system to keep the air temperature down.

AGRIBUSINESS: COMMON DISEASES OF NEW CALVES.

              AGRIBUSINESS: COMMON DISEASES OF NEW CALVES.


 Calves are born with an underdeveloped immune system which makes them prone to infections and diseases than older animals.

 1)Johne’s Disease: Caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium avium subspecies para tuberculosis. It is passed on if a calf ingests infected colostrum or infected manure. It then damages the gut wall. 

Symptom: Calves are occasionally infected at birth when the mother is in advanced stage of the disease. If a newborn becomes infected, signs of this aren’t likely to surface until two or more years later. Because of this, you'll want to be checking out the dam for symptoms instead.
The main symptoms are weight loss and scour.


                      Prevention:
1)Remove the calf from the calving pens soon as possible and introduce them to a clean dry and uncontaminated environment.

 2)Collect the colostrum yourself and make sure your hands are clean.

 3)Only feed colostrum from test negative cows.


2 )Calf Pneumonia: caused by complex interaction between viral and bacterial pathogens, environmental stress factors and the animal’s own resilience to disease.
Symptom: 1)Temperature greater than 39.5C.

 2) Increased breathing rate and effort.

3)coughing and nasal discharge.

The prevention includes the following:


1) Well ventilated facilities reduces the risk of calves developing respiratory infections or pneumonia. Badly ventilated sheds retain too much moisture in the air and let it gather into droplets, and then puddles. These are the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

 2)Keep calves dry and well-bedded. Calves are not born with a winter hair coat so they need that extra layer to help keep them strong and healthy. Additionally they need to be in a clean place so refresh it regularly.

 3)Feed enough milk to keep the calf warm, and healthy especially during cold weather.

4)Avoid nose to nose contact, Infectious saliva and moisture from the respiratory tract can cause pneumonia to spread from calf to calf.

 5)Keep age groups separated in group housing, older calves will have a more developed immune system.

6)Vaccinate the cow/heifer and the protection is transferred via colostrum.

 7)Avoid buying calves that could carry new bugs

. 8)Prevent aspiration pneumonia caused by incorrect feeding.

 9)Minimize weaning stress by leaving rehousing, tagging and dehorning until later.

 Treatment is with antibiotics.

AGRO-VETERINARY: Mobile veterinary clinics in rural areas .

In India ,according to (The Hindu )the State Government has decided to introduce mobile veterinary clinics in districts very soon to improve animal healthcare in rural areas. Nearly 100 such mobile clinics are expected to start functioning with at least one clinic for every assembly constituency. The decision was taken at a review meeting held here on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Talasani Srinivas Yadav. It was further decided to upgrade veterinary polyclinics as district level veterinary hospitals. Officials informed the Minister that a total of 2,142 veterinary dispensaries/hospitals are functioning in the State. Principal Secretary (AH) Suresh Chanda, Secretary (Finance) Navin Mittal, Director (AH) D. Venkateshwarlu, Managing Director of Telangana State Dairy Development Cooperative Federation (TSDDCF) K. Nirmala, Registrar of Veterinary University Kondal Reddy and others attended the meeting. The Minister wanted the officials to improve milk procurement from the existing 5 lakh litres a day to 6 lakh litres by the year-end along with popularising the milk and milk-products of TSDDCF – Vijaya Dairy Telangana by improving the market share and opening more stalls across the State. Officials stated that about 3.85 lakh litres milk was being sold every day in Hyderabad itself and another 50,000 litres in districts now. The Minister directed the officials to implement ‘Sunandini’ programme, under which cattle feed would be provided at 50 per cent subsidy, properly. He also told them to procure fodder for scarcity period of February-June every year in advance. This move by the Indian government can be adopted in other countries especially developing countries with large numbers of livestock to increase access of rural farmers to veterinary services. It is common knowledge that most communities in developing nations cant access veterinary care,thus leaving their animals at risk of various diseases and even health implications for the owners in cases of zoonotic diseases. When veterinary services are accessible by providing mobile services,by engaging more veterinary officers and training livestock hands in these communities will not only keep diseases at bay but also increase production in terms of capacity and quality of livestock. Employment opportunities will also be created as more hands will be needed to go to various communities,this coupled with upgrading of clinics,provision of drugs and vaccine will revamp the agricultural sector as more products such as eggs,beef,chicken,milk e.t.c will be readily available.

WATERMELON BENEFITS FOR ANIMALS.

Watermelon is a highly nutritious fruit packed with nutrients that help body function properly.It is made up of 92% of water,making it a perfect hydration source when body fluids are depleted.Its juice has a calming effect on blood vessels,thus making it valuable in management of hypertension. 


Potassium is of the minerals found in watermelon,this helps in regulation of water/electrolyte balance making it valuable in control of heart rate and blood pressure.It protects against stroke and coronary heart disease,regulating blood pressure.


 Watermelon contains vitamin C, B ,A, it also contains dietary fiber that is essential for digestive health.The watermelon is a colorful fruit ,adding color to meals,salad or snack bowl,the red pigment is as a result of lycopene which is in high quantity in the fruit.

 Lycopene is an antioxidant responsible for destroying any free radicals in the body which normally damage cells and destroys immune system.These free radicals are cancer causing elements,but lycopene mops them up thus preventing several types of cancer and lycopene helps to fight heart disease

 Watermelon contains flavonoids,carotenoids and tritepenoids which have anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this is the reason why watermelon prevent muscle soreness,joint pain and arthritis.The antioxidant property offers protection against colon,prostate,breast,endometrial,lung and pancreatic cancers.

 Watermelon contains citrulline which is an essential amino acid, this is converted to arginine another essential amino acid essentially by the kidneys.Watermelon has natural diuretic properties ,thus helping to maintain kidney health by flushing out of the tubule at regular interval thus preventing urolith formation.  Chicken ,goats and snails can also be fed with watermelon to harness these benefits.

The benefits of watermelon are enormous,and they also offer same benefits to the animal world. Dogs can be fed with watermelon to supplement their meal, or as a snack or treat, you can also use it as a treatment option in cases of kidney problems or weight management in dogs.

 Watermelon given to dogs must be clean,diced/cubed and seedless, and give moderate servings /mealtime. If your dog is eating poop; supplement with watermelon and you will be amazed at the result.

AGRIBUSINESS: HEALTH BENEFITS OF SNAILS.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SNAILS. 1) It has low fat and cholesterol content. 2)It is rich in iron,thus recommended for anaemic patients. 3)Its a good source of protein. 4)The meat is juicy and tender suitable for young and old. AGRIBUSINESS: HEALTH BENEFITS OF SNAILS.