Salmonella; a costly issue for dairy farmers

Salmonella infection in dairy cattle is a costly problem for livestock producers. The damage quickly runs into thousands of euros. On average - for a dairy farm with a hundred cows - this goes towards 5000 euros. Serious contamination problems? Then it adds up to 10,000 euros or more. The animals suffer and there is also a risk of illness for the farmer and caretakers.

Salmonella symptoms live stock

The symptoms of salmonella infection in dairy cattle are:

  • diarrhea
  • high fever
  • shedding
  • drop in production
  • calves with weight problems and/or pneumonia
  • death

The tricky thing about the salmonella bacteria, is that they can hide. The symptoms are often not obvious at first and so your dairy cattle may have been infected for a long time without you noticing it. Therefore, be especially alert to the first indication: reduced production.

Determine Salmonella infection in dairy cattle

If there is evidence of salmonella contamination in your dairy farm, of course you want to be sure quickly. By examining manure, a veterinarian can detect the bacteria, or in the blood, the antibodies. Blood tests are the best way, because cattle that are only carriers do not always excrete the bacteria through the feces. If Salmonella is detected, it is important to assess the situation of the entire farm. A blood test on all calves between four and six months of age and a tank milk test is the usual way to do this.

Combating salmonella within a dairy farm

The sick cattle must be separated from the healthy animals to prevent further infection. Furthermore, they should be treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antipyretics as soon as possible. Clean feed and drinking water is an important issue to prevent reinfection. For the same reason, regular disinfection of the enclosure is necessary, and handlers and caretakers must pay close attention to hygiene regulations regarding clothing. The latter also prevents infection in humans.

Salmonella prevention in dairy cattle

The ways Salmonella enters a dairy farm are usually through purchase of infected cattle, contact with other cattle from infected neighboring farms, or through use of manure from other cattle farms. It also enters a farm through people. For example, on their shoes or transportation equipment. But cattle's drinking water is also a source of infection more often than thought. You would do well to purchase your cattle from farms where you are certain there is no Salmonella contamination, not place your cattle in a pasture next to cattle from neighboring farms, and use company clothing and disinfectants for shoes and vehicles.

Biodegradable disinfectant against Salmonella

Research shows that dairy farmers are missing many disease control opportunities in the drinking trough. Clean drinking water plays a major role in the health status of your cattle. An outstanding remedy in the fight against Salmonella? We developed Watter. Watter is a biodegradable disinfectant made from water, salt and electricity. The low dosage of active ingredients makes it suitable as drinking water. 100% clean drinking water, and 100% suitable.

The advantages of Watter over disinfectants with chemicals?

  • Biodegradable, suitable for humans and the environment
  • More effective than chemicals due to correct dosage
  • Less expensive because you produce disinfectant yourself
  • Tested on many types of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses by TNO

Want to try this?

Are you ready to address your salmonella problem or want to prevent it? Contact us for more information.