Phytotherapeutische Behandlung einer Influenza-Infektion in einem Bioschweinebetrieb - Fallbericht

In spring 2006 an outbreak of swine influenza occurred in a small organic pig farm. Sows, fatteners and suckling piglets were affected. Due to the good farming conditions and optimal veterinary care, animals were treated with phytotherapeutic remedies solely, antibiotics and antipyretics were not applied. Infusions of Species pectorals and macerate of Radix Altheae were administered for 7 days. The animals recovered within a few days. None of the animals died. Reports from the slaughterhouse showed sporadic cases of lung alterations especially caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Phytotherapeutic treatment was effective, even so recommendations can only be given for farmers with good housing conditions and the willingness for optimal animal care

Einfluss von Düngemittel auf die Wiederfindungsraten von Parasitenlarven

When pasture is managed in austrian alpine regions sheep and goats were grazed more than once a year on the same inclosure. The effects of fertilizing pasture with lime on parasitic burden are seen different. Different fertilizers were tested under laboratory conditions for their effects both on infectious parasitic larvae and on egg development. The experiment was conducted with earthnematode free gras samples and with wood chips. With quicklime and cyanamid effects could be demonstrated in the number of larvae and on egg development. With lime only effects against parasitic larvae could be seen. The application of effective mikroorganisms resulted in reduced numbers of larvae and on egg development. In organic farming cyanamid is not allowed. Quicklime is only allowed for disinfection of stables. More examination are necessary for verifying the results of lime and effective microorganisms under practical conditions

Erste Untersuchungsergebnisse zur Stoffwechselsituation von Milchvieherden bei der Umstellung auf Vollweidehaltung

Pasture based production systems should feed as much as possible pasture gras on the total year ration. On 5 austrian farms, changing to pasture based milk production, blood and urine samples of cows were examined to detect changes and exposure in metabolism during the year and lactation. Some changes in blood parameters were detected at the beginning of the pasture. Changes of feeding at the beginning of the pasture showed a decrease in phosphorus in serum. Net-acid-base excretion also showed the burden of feeding a minimum or none of concentrate and the decreased fedding of crude fibre at the beginning of the pasture

Einsatz von Esparsette bei mit Haemonchus contortus infizierten Lämmern

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different proportions of dried sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) in the ration against the nematode Haemonchus contortus in lambs. 24 lambs were allocated to 4 groups. Each group received 750 g barley daily. Group KG received only hay, Group VG1 20 %, group VG2 50 % and group VG3 80 % of sainfoin. Individual fecal egg count (FEC) and live weight were performed weekly. All lambs were infected over the whole study period of 8 weeks with 100 larvae in each case three times a week. After the study period all lambs were slaughtered for post mortem investigation. The consumption of sainfoin hay over a period of 8 weeks was not associated with a reduction in FEC or in live weight performance. These results demonstrate no nematocidal effect of a tanniferous forage legume fed alone over 8 weeks against H. contortus

Orale Eisengabe bei Saugferkel unter den Bedingungen der ökologischen Ferkelerzeugung

Iron prophylaxis in suckling piglets is usually administered as intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. These formulations are medicinal products and therefore prescribable in organic producing farms. Although iron dextran is not allowed through the EU Regulation 834/07 there are no restrictions about medicinal products. Used as feed additive iron dextran is prohibited. Oral administration of iron pastes is common in some organic farms. This paper deals with oral administration of iron pastes containing only approved feed additives like iron oxid or iron sulfate. 22 litters were included. Piglets were randomised and assigned to either control or experimental group. With the exception of a commercial paste given two times (day 1 and 7) none of the experimental pastes could achieve satisfactory results. Either the serum iron level decreased considerably or the piglets became pale and weight gain decreased. In summary under the restriction of the EU regulation 834/07 sufficient oral supplementation with iron is not possible. The only acceptable possibility is an intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of 200 mg of iron dextran at the second or third day of life

Fütterungsbedingte Alkalose: ein Problem für die Tiergesundheit? Fallbericht aus einem Biobetrieb

The acid-base equilibrium is of vital importance for living organisms. Its shifts affect practically all life processes, thus resulting in decreased milk production, sterility, etc. which may cause economic losses. Strong alcalosis in the dry period raises the risk of milk fever after parturition. Examinations on an organic farm were performed because of cumulative occurrence of milk fever and retained placenta. One total mixed ration with excessive supplementation of minerals was fed to all milking cows. The rest of this ration was fed to the cows during the dry period. Net-acid-base-excretion in urine showed a strong alkalosis especially in the dry cows. After modification in feed man-agement milk fever and retained placenta never occurred during the observed period. Blood examination, especially in calcium, and net-acid-base-excretion showed better results after these modifications

Milk production from grazed pasture in mountainous regions of Austria - impact of calving season

The influence of calving season on milk yield, lactation length, composition of the diet, reproduction and nutrient supply for pasture-based systems in a mountainous region of Austria was examined with thirty-three dairy cows on an organic farm. Three groups of cows with a mean calving date of 17 November (group 1), 25 December (group 2) and 20 February (group 3) were compared. During winter periods the cows were housed and fed with grass silage, hay and a restrictive amount of concentrate. Cows were on pasture for 202 days in 2008 and 203 days in 2009 (177 day and night grazing days). The pasture area was continuously grazed at an average sward height of 4.7 cm. Calving in February (group 3) significantly depressed lactation length and milk-fat yield and tended to decrease energy-corrected-milk yield. From group 1 to 3 the amount of concentrate fed per cow decreased from 669 to 373 kg DM y-1 and the grazed pasture proportion increased from 43 to 50% of total feeding ration per year. Calving date had no effects on reproductive performance and frequency of veterinary treatments. However, at the beginning of the grazing season live weight loss and contents of βHBA, FFA and AST were highest in blood samples of group 3

Einsatz von pflanzlichen Futterzusätzen zur Prophylaxe von E.coli - bedingten Durchfällen bei Absetzferkeln

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of different feed additives on prophylaxis of weaning diarrhoea.184 piglets were divided into 3 experimental groups and one control group by compensating randomisation. Feed additives were either herbs (“Herbenterosan”), oligogalacturonides (“Enteronid”) or lignocellulosis (“Agrocell”). Piglets were reared according to Council Regulation EC Nr. 889/2008 and weaned at 40 days of age. From day 4 after weaning until day 8 faeces of the piglets were examined every day to create a faecal score of each group (= group sum). Firm faeces were characterised as “0”, pasty faeces as “1” and liquid faeces as “2”. Live weight was examined regularly. Blood samples were collected twice for the analysis of haptoglobin and electrolytes. The Herbenterosan group showed the lowest group sum in faecal scoring. It was followed by the Enteronid group, the control group and the Agrocell group. No difference between groups was found in haptoglobin values. Electrolyte values (sodium, potassium and chloride) coincided with faecal scores: lower faecal score meant better values of electrolytes and conversely. The three different phytogenic feed additives were not able to prevent piglets from diarrhoea. The Herbenterosan group showed best values in faecal score and live weight gain

Einsatz von Kräutern, Tonmineralien und Effektiven Mikroorganismen zur Prophylaxe des Absetzdurchfalles

The effect of an herbal blend (Flos Chamomillae, Fruct. Myrtilli, Rad. Taraxaci, Herba Rhapontici Carthamoides, Rad. Dauci Carotae, Bulbus Allii Sativi) in combination with zeolite and Effective Microorganisms on diarrhea incidence of weaning pigs was studied. 82 healthy piglets were divided into four groups by compensating randomization: treatment and control and for both light and heavy. The animals of the experimental group were administered the herbal blend orally. The piglets were weighed regularly. Faeces were appraised with a faecal score on a scale from 0 (formed faeces) to 2 (fluid faeces). Diarrhea occurred in all groups. Blood sample collections were performed for analysis of haptoglobin and nonesterified fatty acids. The results showed no significant difference between experimental and control group. Considering the piglets of the light group a significant higher daily weight gain in the experimental group was found (327 g vs. 241 g, p = 0.0126). There was also a clear trend (p = 0.0603) toward faecal scores being lower in the light treatment group. Heavy piglets were not affected by eating the herbs. Our results showed that, while this particular herbal blend did not prevent diarrhea in piglets after weaning, it lessened the severity of diarrhea and significantly improved weight gains in the light treated piglets compared with the light untreated piglets

Beifütterung von Ferkeln in freien Haltungssystemen

The digestive capacity of a piglet and the enzyme activity in the first weeks are aimed corresponding to the piglets requirements. Early provision of creep feed is necessary. The aim of the project was to study the feeding behaviour of piglets and sows during lactation in three different housing systems. In total data of 93 litters and 917 piglets were evaluated. The sows farrowed in either the Welser pen or the WelCon pen. They either remained in these systems until the end of lactation, or changed after 14 days to a multi-suckling system. The sows were fed ad libitum. Feed consumption was recorded weekly. The creep feeding started when piglet´s age reached 17 days on average. The feed supply for the piglets was dry and on the ground. Weight gain and feed consumption of piglets and sows were examined. In order to determine the length of stay of piglets and sows at the feeding place, video observation were performed. Only in the last suckling week the feed consumption of the piglets increased. Significant differences between the Welser pen, WelCon pen and multi-suckling system were found