Qualitative analysis of common health conditions in agricultural animals In Biyagama government veterinary range
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Date
2016
Authors
Siriwardana, C. T. R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Dairy production systems and their market linkages in Sri Lanka have been developed in response to domestic demand for milk and dairy products. This is particularly true for the large, relatively rich and urban population in Colombo, the Capital of the country. The animal management systems found in various areas of the country strongly reflects the variations in climate and agro -ecology. In addition, the land-use pattem s by farmers in those respective areas, with adaptations according to the level of participation in the dairy market, are also different. This research report provides the information on overall animal population, levels of animal production, diseases and conditions, identify disease prone areas, major constraints in the livestock industry in Biyagama area and guidelines for farmers to avoid adverse effects in their business. According to the population, dominant animal type is cattle (2020), therefore mostly affected animal group is cattle. According to the survey Milk fever (Kiriuna) is the mostly (60%) reported condition among cattle and also significant numbers of animals died due to diarrhea (22 %) and weak health (18 %) status. According to the data available in the div ision during the period mostly reported dise ases among animals were, Diarrhea in cattle (29), Milk fever in cattle (10), Mastitis ( 16) worm infection (47). The survey results indicate that some farmers have successfully used traditional medical treatments for fever, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Basic limiting factors identified for the development of the live stock in the Biyagama veterinary range primarily includes "costly medicines" secondly, costly concentrates and thirdly, animals with inferior genetic makeup. Rainfall was identified as one of the critical factor in spreading diseases. In Biyagama veterinary range, most farmers appear to be not satisfactorily aware of infectious diseases. Worm infection is mostly (47) reported disease. Second common condition was Diarrhea (29) . There are ten out of 30 GN divisions, identified as highly affected areas namely; Udupila, Biyagama, Heyyanthuduwa, Kanduboda, Kirikiththa, Siyambalape, Meegahawaththa, Malwana, Walgama and Ahugammana. Udupila was identified as the most prone area for Diarrhea, Raniket, Milk fever, Pneumonia, worm infection, fowl fox, and paralysis. Disease threats were identified as the most important (according to the 45 respondents) constraints to dairy production and some other factors, such as nutrition (5 respondents) and marketing (7 respondents) also equally affected the industry. There must be a developed well-documented health management practices for minimizing the risk of infection and productivity loss. Disease constraints to dairy productivity are thus associated with the need to improve the delivery of veterinary services to dairy farmers and to improve the quality of those services, especially for preventive medicine.
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Keywords
Dairy production , Qualitative analysis , Agricultural animals