We currently have a few herds with confirmed cases of Salmonellosis. 

The Salmonella Bovismorbificans strain of this disease causes severe diarrhoea and has been linked to abortions. Other clinical signs of Salmonella in a herd can range from a mild drop in milk production, to deaths from toxic shock in more severe cases. 

Changes in diet or stressful events (e.g. transport, calving, or overcrowding) can cause changes in a cow’s gut flora, leading to clinical disease. It’s also been shown that high levels of magnesium oxide supplementation can alter the gut pH and contribute to the bacteria taking hold.

Salmonella spreads rapidly, with cows often showing symptoms within 1-2 days of contracting the disease. 

Management practices that can help reduce the spread of infection include:

• Vaccinate stock against the disease.

• Reduce stress and manage stressful times for your cows well.

• Control pests (rodents and birds), especially around feed silos.

• Good effluent management, including 4-5 week grazing stand-down periods after spreading it on pasture, or putting it on crop instead.

• Strict biosecurity, such as quarantining new animals when they arrive on-farm before introducing them to the herd.

Salmonella bacteria is usually spread through faeces, from infected cows or wild animals. It can also easily spread to humans. 

People can get quite sick from Salmonellosis, so it’s essential to follow good hygiene practices at all times on farm – and it’s especially important if you know your herd has Salmonella. Wear gloves when working with cattle and when cleaning farm equipment or buildings. Make sure you always thoroughly wash your hands before eating or drinking.

We also recommend not drinking raw milk from the vat, as raw milk consumption is a common way of humans get infected with Salmonella. 

Give us a call ASAP if you have any concerns with sick cows in your herd.