CATTLE

ELDC BV (the European Livestock Diagnostic Center) has developed an integral concept for preventive diagnostics for Livestock Holdings. The basis of the concept is simple: For a farm (any farm!) to produce in the most cost effective and output-optimal way each of 5 basic farming blocks must be optimized.

If one or more of the 5 Basic blocks are sub-optimal the Farm output is lowered.

ELDC provides a set of tools that aid in assessing the state of each of the blocks and supports its optimization.

Blocks 1, 2 and 3 need the input of a Bulk Milk Sample, which reflects an entire herd or a cohort of animals that are kept together. This Bulk Milk Sample, taken after a set number of milking rounds is an indicator for the group of animals that contribute to the bulk tank.

Each of the Bulk Milk Samples are collected on a monthly basis and shipped to the laboratory along with a sample (or samples) from the drinking water (Block 5, once every 6 months) of the sampled group of animals.

Block 4, Pregnancy Management, is always subject to individual animals.

Block 1: Disease state

Cattle Dairy

For each of the following diseases a bulk milk protocol is available that essentially predicts the relative percentage of infected animals contributing to the bulk tank, as well as PCR-protocols to assess current presence of virus or bacteria, or the presence of carrier animals for:

  • BVDV
  • Salmonella
  • IBR
  • Neospora
  • Fasciola
  • Bluetongue
  • M. bovis
  • ParaTB
  • Leptospira
  • Schmallenberg
  • Mastitis/MAA
  • Dependant on the region also FMD, TB, Brucella, Leukosis, etc. can be added

For each of the diseases a full eradication protocol is available that effectively clears the herds from disease and prevents re-entrance.

Block 2: Do I feed well?

From the bulk milk an average value of present essential minerals can be measured. Protocols have been developed that adequately asses the levels of Se4+, Mg2+, Zn2+, PO43-/P and/or Ca2+ in milk. The levels relative to normal ranges for each of the species predict the state of this Block 2.

For each of the minerals that are below the acceptable range, ELDC provides a mineral-mix that can be added to the feed or drinking water of the herd to quickly return to normal-range values.

Block 3: Is my silage stored well?

This Block 3 measures the quality of the stored silage as it is accepted in the animals. The presence of Aflatoxin in milk is a direct measure of the poor microbiological quality of the silage or feed-additives.

Block 4: Pregnancy Management

The application of protocols to measure pregnancy in the individual milk, or to measure open animals allows these females to minimize the time between calfs.

Block 5: Quality of the drinking water

Procedures are available that assess the chemical and bacteriological state, as well as the level of Trace Elements in the drinking water of the animals.