Field Days 2020: Hybrid and Virtual NODPA Field Days

André F. Brito, Veterinarian, M.S., Ph.D., Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems University of New Hampshire, andre.brito@unh.edu (603) 834-8600

Webinar topics

• Dietary and management strategies to improve energy intake in forage-based rations
• Why legumes are important in dairy diets?
• Effect of different legume-grass mixtures on forage quality
• Effect of different legume-grass mixtures on feed intake, milk production and composition, and milk fatty profile in dairy cows: Results from two feeding trials conducted at the University of New Hampshire Organic Dairy Research Farm (Lee, NH) will be shared
• Results from project entitled “Developing advanced perennial legume-grass mixtures harvested as stored feeds to improve herd productivity and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in organic dairies in the Northeast”

Video by Maureen Knapp

Video by Maureen Knapp

Video by Maureen Knapp

By Dr. Elizabeth Martens, DVM, Valleywide Veterinary Services, Bridport, VT and Shelburne Veterinary Hospital, Shelburne, VT

In this presentation, I will review why adequate colostrum intake is essential, then will go over an easy, at-home method to find out if a calf is sufficiently protected by its mother's antibodies. We will review the 4 Q's of Colostral Antibody Absorption:

The 4 Q's of Colostral Antibody Absorption

• Quantity: 10% of calf body weight (88lb. calf = 40kg. = 4 liters of colostrum)

• Quality: >24% Brix (Brix measures sugars, closely related to IgG concentrations)

• Quickness: < 6 hours after birth, sooner is better

• sQueaky Clean: bacteria in colostrum interferes with IgG absorption. (<100,000 CFU bacteria, <10,000 coliforms)

Dr. Dayna Locitzer, Green Mountain Bovine Clinic, West Chesterfield, NH

This presentation will give some tips, tricks, and things to think about when taking care of your fresh cows. Fresh cows are experiencing a lot in terms of their external and internal environment. As a consequence of the enormous biological change of calving, they face mineral imbalances, negative energy balance, unchecked inflammation, potential nerve damage, edema, and stress. This is especially true for pasture-based dairies who don’t have their diets and environments as tightly regulated as conventional cows, even though they often have more space, are not pushed as hard and access to phytonutrients from pasture. Organic dairies also do not have the option of using certain conventional treatments, therefore prevention of the negative consequences of calving are very important.

By Jacki Perkins, MOFGA Dairy Specialist

Having a designated livestock first aid kit in the barn will keep you from using your household thermometer rectally on sick calves, and can save time in a crisis of gaping wound proportions.

It’s important to stay practical and organized when building and maintaining a first aid kit. Include things like a couple thermometers, stethoscope, flashlight, and absorbent/bandage materials such as clean towels or diapers and vet wrap. Keep things categorized. Exam tools, such as flashlights, halters, and thermometers can live in one small container, while wound dressing supplies can be kept in a separate, waterproof home that can be easily accessed or transported in a hurry. I suggest keeping all smaller kits in one larger tote, and in a warm, dry location that is unlikely to encourage people to stack things on it.

Other things that I find handy to a large animal first aid kit include:

I also include a small homeopathic first aid kit/commonly used tinctures.

Creating a Farm First Aid Kit may be last on your list, but once you set your mind to having and maintaining it, you’ll thank yourself every year.

Garlic Tincture and a Calendula Tincture

By Liz Bawden, Bawden Family Farm, Hammond, NY, and NODPA Board Co-President

Learn the simple steps to extract medicinal elements from plants using alcohol and olive oil. In the first video, Liz will demonstrate how to make a Garlic tincture and a Calendula tincture. You will need a very clean glass jar for each plant material; fill them each about ¾ full of the plant material, then fill the jar to the top with vodka (80 proof is fine). Top with a layer of wax paper, then put the lid on firmly. The wax paper will create a better seal so that nothing leaks when you shake it. Shake daily for a week or two; store in a cool, dark place. Strain the mixture, discarding the plant material, then water down, by half, the tincture before administering it to any animal. It is easier on the animal to receive twice the volume of a weaker solution. Garlic is an immune system stimulator, and a natural antibiotic. Calendula is also a natural antibiotic, and supportive for skin and internal tissues. Liz prefers to combine both tinctures in the treatment of retained placenta, giving 60 ccs vaginally two times per day for 3-5 days. Use either for a natural antibiotic, for example give a calf with some respiratory illness the garlic tincture to stimulate healing. Using the garlic and calendula tincture together provides a better outcome of either separately.