Expert advises pastoralists to own Draminski Mastitis detector for enhanced milk production
NAN-AE-7
Detector
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Feb. 23, 2018 (NAN) Mr Olagbaju Tumise, Chief Executive Officer, Real People Concept, has urged the pastoralists to own Draminski Mastitis detector for enhanced milk production.
Tumise, who is also a Laboratory and Animal Technology Consultant, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
He explained that mastitis in cattle is the persistent and inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue of a lactating animal.
Tumise added that mastitis is a potentially fatal mammary gland infection that is most common disease in cattle.
‘‘The udder becomes hard, painful and less milk is produced. When this happen quality and quantity of milk is reduced.
‘‘This is an economic loss to a dairy farmer. The young animal will not also have enough milk and it become stunted,’’ he said.
He stated that sub-clinical mastitis was more dangerous as all female animals on the farm could be infected.
He said this would post a huge loss to farmers because he would get lesser quantity milk, bad quality milk and eventually he would be poorly paid.
Tumise added that research carried out over the years had established that the development of subclinical mastitis was accompanied by an increase in the level of salt in the milk.
He said the development would increase salt in the milk that would lower its electrical resistance to detection of subclinical mastitis.
‘‘Since the discovery of this relationship, electronic methods of detecting subclinical mastitis have become widely accepted and practical.
‘‘The relationship of milk electrical resistance and health of the udder resulted in the development of the Draminski Mastitis Detector by Mr J. Draminski in 1989 with the co-operation of Polishagricultural Universities,’’ he said.
He said that a farmer could purchase the detector and screen his lactating cows every month.
He said this would ensure high quantity and quality of milk as well as get premium price for milk production.
Tumise, however, urged the state and local governments to empower farmers to generate income for the youths.
‘‘Government can empower youths with this device by buying the detector and the youth can screen for farmers monthly while youths are paid for their services.
‘‘The overall effect of this is that it will increase milk production, better nutrition, quality milk, job creation, income generation among others,’’ he said.
Tumise said that it is a portable device that use 9v battery and it is easy to use with minimal training, which you did not need any degree to use and interpret the result, it only require a basic arithmetic.
‘‘The individual farmers can buy it and group of farmers can afford it with a sum of N180, 000 and bulk purchase is even cheaper.
‘‘The maintenance requires only cleaning with warm water and keeping it dry.
‘‘It also comes with two years warranty but it can be used for more than 10 years if well maintained by the user,” he said.
NAN reports that mastitis could be treated with antibiotics and it is highly recommended that farmers should consult a veterinary for proper treatment. (NAN)
ROK/MOL/AFA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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