Large-Volume Drenching: A Common Practice For Cows DAVELEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff DENVER (Lancaster Co.) Dr. Steve Foulke of the Agricultural Veterinary Association here practices large-volume drenching on dairy cows almost daily. Foulke said he has been administering the nutrient and bacteria-rich drenches ever since he started as a vet 11 years ago, but advances in the last two or three years have made the job easier and more common. A large-volume drench for a dairy cow usually con sists of a five- to seven-gallon slurry, including alfalfa meal, vitamins, minerals, and rumen bacteria. It is ad ministered to a stressed and/or dehydrated cow by means of a pump attached to a tube that is inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus to the rumen. “Basically, it gives (the cow) an instant meal,” Foulke said. Positive health effects include rehydration and the rapid introduction of nutrients and essential bacteria. Another benefit is that the sheer volume of fluid cre ates a “mild distension of the rumen that causes it to start contracting like it should,” Foulke said. The recent availability of drench mixes has made the job of drenching a lot easier. When It's Time To Make Improvements* .♦ Prior to prepackaged drench mixes, vets had to mix their own drenching concoctions. Part of that task in cluded drawing rumen juice from a healthy cow to provide bacteria for the drench. Drench mixes now on the market include the neces sary rumen bacteria cultures as well as an array of nu trients, vitamins, and minerals. Foulke encourages herd managers to learn drench ing procedures themselves. “We train a lot of farmers to do this,” he said. For managers of larger herds of about 200 cows or more, he recommends purchasing their own drenching equipment. “It pays for itself’ in a short period of time, he said, V*} fSsri We recognize that agriculture and farming play an important role in the economy and the lives of the communities we serve That’s why our agricultural loan people are a select team of bankers who are farm wise Our bankers work farms themselves participate in 4-H clubs and FFA chapters judge shows and more They know first-hand what it takes to support your firtancial needs They speak your language And they’ll listen to what you have to say You can benefit from a wide array ot services and solutions designed to meet your special needs We’re the bankers you can talk to the bankers you should talk to t=> CW financial Services for L—LI Agriculture & Agribusiness Fulton Bank and Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank Member FDIC Equal Opportunity Lender Call m at Fulton Bank at 291 -2844 ami at Lebanon Valley Barmen Bant at 274-6906 iWAivraimmTr LENDER
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