Animal Environments and Health A
RobertE. Graves. Professor of Agricultural Engineering organ.smsßkffi.ng wi!hT(JTofte sixth or greater concern
Lawrence J. Hutchinson, Professor of Veterinary Science trat,on 1 °f. bact , ena P er has been associated with m-
Penn State University creased clinical mastitis.
Animal environments can and do affect many aspects of * ?eet and le f bealtb > s also environmentally affected. More
farm animal health and productivity, but the effects on res- free staUberd owners than stanchion or tie stall owners re
piratory health, udder health, and feet and leg health is par- P° rt * d tha * f ® at 311(1 le B P r . ob i!™ s were s ® no “ s ,n the,r herd
ticularly great (McDaniel). Wet concrete is 83% more abrasive, on average,
Respiratory health is dependent both on animal resist- than dr y c « nc f rel 1 e - In cattle tha * are confined on concrete
ance factors and exposure to respiratory pathogens and irri- ™° st ’. or a ’ ° llbe time > w^ ar °f hoof may exceed growth,
tants. Bacterial/particle counts of 1,000 to 700,000/cubic I hls IS especially true if the concrete is new and/or wet.
meter have been recorded in confined swine housing; while Other environmental factors affecting feet and leg health
outdoor air typically has a bacterial/particle count of are stab slze and design as web as mu(l an<l manure expo
-150/cubic meter (Curtis). Relative humidity in confinement
housing may affect bacterial and viral concentrations. Con
finement calf housing at 50 to 60% relative humidity had
lower bacterial concentrations than similar housing at 80%
relative humidity. Both ammonia and hydrogen sulfide
gases can inhibit bacterial clearance mechanisms of the res
piratory tract. Cold air may reduce tracheal mucociliary
clearance.
Udder health is influenced by a variety of environmental,
contagious and host-defense factors. In many dairy breeds,
contagious mastitis organisms have been controlled or elim
inated. The low somatic cell count quarter is highly suscep
tible to environmental organisms, especially during early
lactation and during the first week of the dry period. Bed
ding materials and other contact surfaces that have very
high bacterial contamination may be associated with clini
cal mastitis, with non-ag streptococci, or with gram negative
Optimizing animal health is part of our mission
Let us raise your heifers in housing designed specifically for heifers
Structured feeding and health management programs to optimize heifer performance
Detailed health records and monthly progress reports for you to monitor your calves
Employees who specialize in calf care will pay attention to details every day
Forages grown specifically for heifers, with rations and housing designed to heifer specs
Up to 3 AI breedings and foot trimming costs are included in your fixed monthly charge
“Ideal” height, weight, and health targets so you know what type heifer will come home
Warranties for failure to grow, failure to breed, and death
Reduction of animal units on your farm to assist in CAFO compliance
Elba, NY Nicholville, NY
(716)757-2440 (315)328-5110
Genesee County St. Lawrence County
For one locked in price, this is what you can expect:
Agway TSPF Heifer Farms
“Raising the standard in quality dairy heifers ”
sure.
Dairy animals should have an environment that is clean,
dry, and draft free; it should be “comfortable!” Pennington
(1982) refers to two environments in the housing system, bi
ological and physical. Managerial environment (attitude,
skills, and knowledge) should be added to this list.
Physical environment includes: Climate, Shelter, and
Space; Biological environment includes; Feed, Water, Para
sites, and Disease; Management environment includes: Atti
tude of the caretaker and Facility affect on caretaker
attitude.
Housing system design, construction, and operation can
impinge on all of these ares (Baxter, 1983, Light, 1973,
Thompson, 1974). To encourage and facilitate good man
agement, the housing facility must allow for convenient
feeding, cleaning, milking, observation and restraint. This
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Schaghticoke, NY Shippensburg, PA
(518) 692-1060 (717) 530-7778 or 477-0992
Washington County Franklin County