Report of Nature Based Solutions; Herbs for dairy health in India and the Netherlands
In what way has the work on Herbs for Cattle Health developed in both India and the Netherlands over the past 5 years? During the webinar on 21st of October 2021 dairy farmers and veterinarians from both countries shared their experiences, and were inspired by the way they can learn from each other and improve cattle health through the use of herbs. See Full report seminar_Nature Based Solutions
In small scale dairy farming system in India this work has focused on Ethno-Veterinary medicine (see factsheet below)
In the large scale dairy farming system in the Netherlands this work has focused on herbs-rich grasslands (see factsheet below)
You can find the full PP presentations here:
Maria Groot – Wageningen Food Safety Research – Intro on Dairy Herbs project
Nair – TDU-Glohmsiwa-NLF India – Medicinal plants used in EVP
Ms Veda Panchmaveda – organic dairy farmer India 1 – Panchamveda Organic Farm and Dairy
Ms. Poongodi – organic dairy farmer India 2 – Mahizham organic farm
Ms. Laksmi Ottathaikkal – organic dairy farmer India 3 – Otthathaikkal farm
Hans NijBijvank – NL veterinarian – Biodiversity – Good for Cows?
Jan Paul Wagenaar – Researcher Louis Bolk Institute – Pasture Herbs: Developments in Dairy Farming
Deficient colostrum feeding crucial issue in dairy calf raising
The knowledge on adequate colostrum feeding of newborn calves is strikingly inadequate amongst smallholder dairy farmers worldwide. This was one of the main conclusions of the recent NLF webinar on natural calf management organized on 31st August 2021. Many farmers mistakenly believe that calf diarrhea is the result of colostrum feeding, rather than a way to prevent it. This finding has inspired AgroEco to start developing a learning video on this topic, for dairy farmers worldwide – which we will share soonest.
Please find the recording HERE
PRESENTATIONS:
Welcome and intro on NLF strategy – Katrien van’t Hooft (NLF Foundation)
The Healthy Dairy Calf management; effective calf management – Dr Ana Catharina Berge
Herbal remedies for common calf diseases – Prof. Natasan Punniamurthy (GLOHMSIWA/NLF India
31st of August 2021, NLF webinar on: Natural Ways of Dairy Calf Raising
Disease and mortality of young calves is one of the major issues for dairy farmers worldwide, and cause of low farm productivity. Moreover it is reason for high antibiotic use. How can this be improved? How to control calf diarrhea in a natural way? Find out in this third NLF seminar with several outstanding experts!
Tuesday August 31st, TIME:
- Europe (CET): 10.30 AM – 12.30 PM
- India: 2 PM – 4 PM
- East Africa: 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
PROGRAM:
Welcome and intro on NLF 5-layer strategy – Katrien van’t Hooft (NLF Foundation)
Outcome of pilot NLF 5-layer strategy in smallholder dairy farming in Ethiopia – Daniel Temesgen (ESAP/ NLF Ethiopia)
The Healthy Dairy Calf: effective calf management during the first 6 months – Dr. Ana Catharina Berge (Berge Veterinary Consulting)
Herbal remedies for common calf diseases – Prof. Natasan Punniamurthy (GLOHMSIWA – NLF India)
Two NLF posters for conference Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals
Between June 7-9 2021 the International Conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals is organized by the CGIAR - Anti Microbial Resistance hub. As NLF we have developed two posters:
- Strategic international collaboration for reduction of antibiotic use in dairy farming - with info on the results of NLF in India and the Netherlands
- Improving cattle health and reducing antibiotic use in 'Healthy Cattle' project in Ethiopia - with info of the pilot with the NLF 5-layer strategy in two peri-urban dairy communities in Ethiopia
See full posters below
Funders increasingly interested in Natural Livestock Farming
More and more organizations worldwide, inducing funding agencies, express their interest in the Natural Livestock Farming network and 5-layered strategy for ways to overcome common constraints in dairy farming.
For example in Uganda, where the major problem is related to increasing resistance of ticks to chemical acaricides. Funds of TIDE program of SNV-Uganda are used by NLF partners in Uganda, India and the Netherlands to develop a new strategy based on good cattle management combined with herbal tick control.
In Ethiopia, funders are supporting efforts to reduce antibiotic use and aflatoxine residues in cattle feed, which are affecting the quality of milk. The coming three years the Applied Research Fund is supporting NLF partner Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP) to strengthen laboratory capacity for residue analysis combined with animal health support to two cattle keeping communities.
Recognition by President of Ethiopia
During 1st Livestock Week celebrated 15-19 November 2017 in Addis Ababa, Dr Getachew Gebru Tegegn received a certificate of national recognition for his contribution to the development of the Livestock and fisheries sector in Ethiopia. The certificate was handed over by President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Dr Mulatu Teshome at a ceremony held at the Oromo Cultural Center, Addis Ababa. Dr. Getachew Gebru is International NLF board member, and the current president of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production.
Source: ESAP, NLF partner
Natural Livestock Farming strategy for reducing Anti-Microbial Resistance
This NLF article in Approaches to Poultry-Dairy- and Veterinary science describes the general NLF strategy to improve milk quality and reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy farming
