Animal health among livestock animals is crucial to agricultural practices, because it allows for both healthy animals and healthy practices that support the industry. Through reaching out for preventive health care, good nutrition, and techniques in animal health, the farmers will improve the yield on their animals. This guide discusses various aspects of livestock animal health and identifies salt licks as the important aspect.
Assessment of Livestock Animal Health
This paper focuses on numerous aspects that are important in the management of the health of livestock which include feeding, shelter, health and general welfare. producers produce healthy animals that in turn increase food production and supply hence the food security and economic growth of a country.
The Importance of Feeding in Animal Health
Animal health is not only dependent on nutritional factors but nutritional factors are the basics of livestock animals. Proper diet of feed to different species is a way of having balanced diet that in turns makes the species to grow, reproduce and produce. Clean, immediately available water is also as important; which, if in any way, impeded can lead to severe, copious losses in health or efficiency.
Salt licks are serving an important purpose in the nutrition of livestock animals. Such mineral blocks offer other nutrients that are not offered in feeds fed to the animals most of the time. The salt licks are good sources of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, which can help improve digesting ability, increase bone density, offer better immunity, and reproductive health. They are useful when used to supplement in cases of mineral deficiency in animals which in their normal course may develop pica an illness that makes animals chew non-edible substances in an attempt to get hold of certain nutrients.
Disease Prevention and Control
An effective disease control and prevention involves periodic immunizations against various diseases namely the foot and mouth disease and brucellosis disease. A major aspect of animal management is the prevention and or treatment of parasites; worms, ticks and lice being some examples can lead to poor health and productivity of animals. There are the following biosecurity practices that farmers should adopt include: Segregation to avoid new animals or sick animals infecting other animals.
Housing is another important aspect that determines the livestock animal health. Limited or poor Quality housing: Animal require place with suitable environmental conditions that can provide them safety and comfort during different and unfavorable climate conditions. Waste disposal and a supply of new air effectively remove strategic and potentially dangerous bacteria, as well as other wastes. Housing should also offer enough space because overcrowding causes stress and diseases to affect many people.
Effectiveness of Salt Licks in Animal Husbandry
Salt licks are basic effective method in promoting the heath of livestock animal . These blocks contain ingredients that are minerals needed by the human body to perform different activities. For instance sodium is involved in nerve and muscle conduction; calcium and magnesium are involved in bone formation and milk production. Microminerals such as zinc and selenium are very essential in enhancing the immune system and the general skin and coat health.
These days many farmers discover better appetite, digestion and reproductive performances in their animals that are in the habit of taking salt licks.
Green Appropriate in the Long Run for Health
Animal health over a long period is determined by sustainability programs that are in place. Combining crop growing with livestock production guarantees nutrient cycling, while saving resources in the process.
Health Management Using Technology
Smart clothes and smart health solutions tell individuals’ health conditions using wearable devices enough before the issues manifest. They enable the farmers to act, hence enhancing the well-being of animals on the farms.
Livestock animal health- tomorrow today
The future of livestock animal health deals with extending comprehensive and research based methodologies. Staying updated on major health news and happenings in the industry will also in a way prepare farmers to respond to change and make informed decisions.
Conclusion
Animal health is an essential aspect while running a farming business. This as a result of proper nutrition, early disease control and embracing new technologies in order to take good care of the animals among other gains. Through these practices, we reach a situation when farmers can improve their livestock health and their future as well.
