Acidosis Trial
As some of you are aware, an acidosis trial involving some farms commenced in this area during October. This trial is looking at the effects of sub-clinical acidosis on dairy cattle health and production and is being conducted in areas of both Victoria and NSW. The study is being conducted by Bovine Research Australasia in conjunction with The University of Sydney with funding from the Dairy Research and Development Corporation, Dairy Industry Development Corporation, Murray Dairy, Elanco Animal Health and Wrightson's Seed Company.The aim of the study is to identify factors in the diet and management of dairy cattle that may predispose to acidosis. The results obtained will potentially allow changes in diet formulation and feed management where necessary, improving milk production, reducing weight loss and risk of low milk fat content and minimising lameness resulting from nutritional problems.
Clinical observations in the past have estimated the presence of acidosis to be as high as 40 percent in dairy herds around Southern Australia. It is anticipated that this may be caused from a number of factors involving both pasture and concentrate feeding. Of the farms sampled in this area so far, a significant amount of acidosis has been documented confirming the past clinical observations.
Some of you may have received letters in the mail regarding the survey and have not yet been contacted. It is anticipated that a further sampling will be done in this area around June/July 2002 and you may still be contacted.
Click here to view the rest of the 2001 December newsletter.