If you’re considering switching your dairy cows to organic, you’ve probably heard that organic cow feed contains higher amounts of omega-3 and CLA. These are great things, but you also have to consider that organic cow feed is expensive. That said, you’ll find that switching to organic practices can cut veterinary bills by 80%, even in the first year. It also helps prevent diseases like mastitis and scours.
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Grass-fed organic cow feed produces milk with elevated levels of omega-3 and CLA
There are numerous benefits of milk produced from grass-fed cows. The fats in milk are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (n-3), which are essential for human health and normal physiological function. In addition, studies show that milk fats are antibacterial, anticancer, and have anticholesterolemic effects. Therefore, buying milk from grass-fed cows is a healthier choice than milk from grain-fed cows.
Research shows that CLA is a powerful cancer-fighting fatty acid. Small amounts of CLA in laboratory animals have been shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells. The research also suggests that CLA can reduce cancer risks in humans. In Finland, a study found that women who consumed the highest levels of CLA in their diets had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who consumed the least amount of CLA.
It is a good preventative measure for the scours
Using organic cow feed is one of the best preventive measures against calf scours. Not only will it help prevent the disease, but it will also make the animals healthier in general. The scour organism is shed in stressful environments, so a veterinarian will know which treatments to use. He can also determine which environment is a contributing factor in an outbreak.
Cows infected with calf scours should be isolated for the first few days of an outbreak, and they should be kept warm and in the shade. If the outbreak is severe, the affected calves will require nursing care and fluid and electrolyte replacement. Because the bacteria responsible for calf scours can infect humans, you should wear rubber gloves and wash any exposed skin thoroughly before handling infected calves.
It is a good preventative measure for mastitis
There are several different ways to treat mastitis in cows. The use of antibiotics is one option. However, they can be detrimental to the milk, and they do not reduce the incidence of mastitis. Another option is the use of aloe. Aloe is an antiinflammatory and coagulant herb that helps drain the infection. It also softens the udder. However, the milk from the cow treated with aloe cannot be put into the milk tank.
If left untreated, mastitis can cause major economic losses for farmers. This is because most farmers rely on milk produced from the udder to provide for the needs of their calves, process milk and other dairy products. As a result, mastitis in cows reduces milk yield, weaning weights and profitability. Furthermore, it can also affect fertility and delay the onset of heat cycles in cows.
It is expensive
Organic cow feed is costly. Farmers have to disinfect their teats daily to prevent mastitis infections. This is an expensive process, which is why many organic farmers have to charge more for their milk. They must also buy organic remedies to treat sick cows, which also cost money. Tim and Kristen Bailey’s milk is enough to pay for both of them to stay on the farm full-time, but health insurance is out of their budget. They have been forced to make other cuts to their operation to save money.
Organic beef producers receive premiums for the meat they produce. However, these premiums are hard to pin down. The USDA does not publicly report the price of organic cattle. However, organic cattle producers tend to work with long-term supply relationships and forward contracts to assure a continuous supply of organic beef.
It can lead to feed shortages
The restrictions placed on the production of animal feed in organic farming have become a problem for global food security. While FAO calls for the production of more animal-origin food, these restrictions are a challenge to farm profitability and production scale. This has implications for local development and employment. Some argue that a transition towards a vegetarian diet may be part of the solution.
Farmers in California are facing tough decisions about how to feed their animals during a drought. For instance, the drought in the state has impacted organic farmers, forcing them to adjust their practices. The state is facing its third consecutive year of drought, and many farmers are already feeling the pinch. Dairy farmers are especially hard hit. With little water, they must feed their cattle all year long. Plant growers, meanwhile, have until mid-March to make their planting plans.
