Port Blair, May 29: To minimize the impact of monsoon and to prevent serious ailment or death, the Department of AH&VS has issued the following advisory for dairy farmers on preparatory actions to be taken during monsoon season:
Do’s
• Keep update on local weather forecast.
• Adequate availability of feed and fodder and establishment of fodder banks and must be stored in moisture-proof stores.
• Ensure mixing of salt mixture / electrolytes with feed and water and provide balance feed especially to dairy animals.
• The drinking troughs should be kept clean and animals should be provided clean and fresh water.
• Pregnant animal (more than 6 months) should be given additional feed.
• Materials like corrugated iron or timber, aluminium or galvanized steel should be used for animal’s shelters and roofs.
• The dead animal burial areas should be away from water bodies, public area and must be well protected with display board.
• Use of social media X handle of Dept of AH&VS i.e @dirahvsandaman for regular update of news related to Animal Husbandry.
• Need to proper preservations of green fodder through hay and silages techniques to feed in scarcity in monsoon.
• Maggot wound cases increase as breeding of fly in rainy seasons so the use of camphor or turpentine oil along with manual removal of maggot with regular dressing is necessary.
• External and internal parasite cases increase in rainy season so take care of it in consultation local Senior Veterinary Officer.
• As green fodder not available always during monsoon so farmers should go for unconventional fodder like trees leaf and grasses to feed livestock.
Dont’s
• Avoid large number / overcrowding of animals in animal shade.
• Animal movement should be avoided during rains.
• Animals should not have to walk too far for the water and feed.
• The carcasses of dead animals should not be discarded on the regular grazing routes of the animals and water bodies.
• Entry of animal in water bodies should be avoided.
• Animals should not be tied with electric poles and should be kept away from electrical instruments and area.
