This is the machinery issue of Ozarks Farm and Neighbor; in thinking of a topic for this column, I wanted to somehow tie into that theme. So why not discuss the care of the equipment we use around livestock everyday?
Safe and efficient handling of livestock requires equipment that is working well. Good maintenance is needed to keep that equipment in shape. Cattle are strong, rough beasts and take a toll on all equipment. I’d like to discuss several groups of equipment that I believe are important in maintaining animal health.
It is always a good idea to look over your chutes and cattle handling facilities before using them. Make sure head gates open and close easily. Check for loose connectors, missing pins, broken boards and frayed pull ropes. Too many cattle and people get hurt every year because equipment was not working. If you have alleys that adjust in width, lubricate and confirm that you can easily adjust the panels. It saves a lot of work and decreases the stress on cattle moved through the system.
While we are talking about handling cattle, care of syringes and treatment equipment should be mentioned. Check out syringes before heading to the working facility. Look for cracks in o-rings and washers. Run some water in the syringe and depress the full syringe to confirm that you are delivering the dose the syringe setting indicates. Make sure multi-dose syringes are clean! They should be taken apart after every use, cleaned with hot water and soap and allowed to air dry. Apply a small amount of silicone lubricant when putting syringes back together; it makes the plunger work easier and increases the life-span of the rubber washers and o-rings. Check for cracks in barrels. There is nothing more frustrating than a syringe that leaks. It is a good idea to have some spare barrels around for a quick change if one gets broken.
Calf feeding equipment should be some of the cleanest equipment on the farm, but this is often not the case. Dirty bottles and nipples are magnets for bacteria and mold. Milk residue is a perfect medium for pathogen growth. Bottles should be cleaned after each use with soap and hot water. Water temperature needs to be 140 degrees Fahrenheit, to break down milk residue on plastic bottles. After washing, bottles can be rinsed in 10 percent bleach solution and placed where they can air dry quickly. Check bottles for rough areas, cracks and gouges. These are perfect areas for bacterial growth. Nipples should be washed the same way. Check nipples for wear; worn nipples increase the risk of aspiration into the lungs when calves drink too fast. These cleaning recommendations also apply to plastic buckets and esophageal feeders. Also be sure to check feed buckets for cracks or sharp edges and replace worn equipment. Feed pails should be cleaned meticulously between calves.
Another area I’ll briefly cover is milking equipment. Because of its almost constant use, constant maintenance is necessary to assure efficient function and udder health. Perform regular maintenance checks for changes in pulsation, vacuum and liner wear. Liners should be changed on a regular basis and follow manufacturers recommendations for usage. I see many cases of mastitis that can be attributed to poorly functioning equipment.
So this fall, remember that the equipment you use everyday to care for your livestock is important and needs maintenance for top performance.
Mike Bloss, DVM, owns Countryside Animal Clinic with his wife, Kirstin Bloss, DVM, in Aurora, Mo.
