Condition called 'frothy bloat' killing Ky. cattle
Published: Jul 19, 2010 11:16 am - 0
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A potentially fatal condition called "frothy bloat" is afflicting Kentucky cattle herds and prompting state officials to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include the condition in a program allowing farmers to request reimbursement for losses.
Kentucky Extension Service beef cattle specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler told The Lexington Herald-Leader that bulls, cows and stock cattle have all been hit by the affliction.
"It's all categories of beef cattle being impacted," Lehmkuhler said.
In general, the cattle affected by frothy bloat, technically called primary ruminal tympany, have eaten too much clover. Though clover improves pasture quality, ingesting too much of it can be damaging because it can cause fermentation gases to be trapped inside the cattle's stomach, Lehmkuhler said.
The clover produces a foam inside the cattle's gastrointestinal tract that prevents them from being able to burp. When the gas can't escape, the stomach expands, like a balloon, and presses on the diaphragm. That can lead to suffocation.
The presence of clover is linked to the state's droughts in 2007 and 2008, state Department of Agriculture officials said. The droughts weakened the grass in pastures, allowing clover to gain more of a foothold. When heavy rains came in 2009 and primarily in May of this year, the clover began to grow higher and faster than the grass.
"You've got them all the way from the small guy to the folks who have bigger herds who have lost up to 10 to 20 head," said Dave Maples, executive vice president of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.
The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recommends that cattle producers contact their local county extension agent for additional information.
Sandy Gardner in the governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, said the state has sent a letter to the federal Department of Agriculture but has not heard back.
Lehmkuhler has studied the spread of the condition around Kentucky. The survey suggested that just 1 percent of the cattle represented had died. But, Lehmkuhler estimates, those losses mean almost $5 million in revenue gone.
Tim and Amy White of Lexington say they have seen frothy bloat kill more than 30 head of beef cattle in a group of about 600 on the family's farm. The White's estimate their losses at more than $23,000.
"I hope I won't lose any more. I've lost enough," Tim White said.
Lehmkuhler said cattle producers continue to use clover in their pastures but to supplement their livestock's diet with products that guard against bloat. The options for bloat prevention include products like a 33-pound licking block that contains additives and costs about $20, and a 20-pound bag of feed supplements that costs up to $90.
"It's been fairly devastating to the larger producers," said Greg Robey, president-elect of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. "They're scared not to do anything, so they're continuing to feed these products now, even though historically we'd be past the threat of frothy bloat."
The Whites have been using the bloat guards for their cattle. Between the supplies and labor, the quest to prevent more cases of frothy bloat have cost them $6,000.
"I'm getting close to $30,000 just from bloat, and that's on top of my normal expenses," he said.
Kentucky Extension Service beef cattle specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler told The Lexington Herald-Leader that bulls, cows and stock cattle have all been hit by the affliction.
"It's all categories of beef cattle being impacted," Lehmkuhler said.
In general, the cattle affected by frothy bloat, technically called primary ruminal tympany, have eaten too much clover. Though clover improves pasture quality, ingesting too much of it can be damaging because it can cause fermentation gases to be trapped inside the cattle's stomach, Lehmkuhler said.
The clover produces a foam inside the cattle's gastrointestinal tract that prevents them from being able to burp. When the gas can't escape, the stomach expands, like a balloon, and presses on the diaphragm. That can lead to suffocation.
The presence of clover is linked to the state's droughts in 2007 and 2008, state Department of Agriculture officials said. The droughts weakened the grass in pastures, allowing clover to gain more of a foothold. When heavy rains came in 2009 and primarily in May of this year, the clover began to grow higher and faster than the grass.
"You've got them all the way from the small guy to the folks who have bigger herds who have lost up to 10 to 20 head," said Dave Maples, executive vice president of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.
The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recommends that cattle producers contact their local county extension agent for additional information.
Sandy Gardner in the governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, said the state has sent a letter to the federal Department of Agriculture but has not heard back.
Lehmkuhler has studied the spread of the condition around Kentucky. The survey suggested that just 1 percent of the cattle represented had died. But, Lehmkuhler estimates, those losses mean almost $5 million in revenue gone.
Tim and Amy White of Lexington say they have seen frothy bloat kill more than 30 head of beef cattle in a group of about 600 on the family's farm. The White's estimate their losses at more than $23,000.
"I hope I won't lose any more. I've lost enough," Tim White said.
Lehmkuhler said cattle producers continue to use clover in their pastures but to supplement their livestock's diet with products that guard against bloat. The options for bloat prevention include products like a 33-pound licking block that contains additives and costs about $20, and a 20-pound bag of feed supplements that costs up to $90.
"It's been fairly devastating to the larger producers," said Greg Robey, president-elect of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. "They're scared not to do anything, so they're continuing to feed these products now, even though historically we'd be past the threat of frothy bloat."
The Whites have been using the bloat guards for their cattle. Between the supplies and labor, the quest to prevent more cases of frothy bloat have cost them $6,000.
"I'm getting close to $30,000 just from bloat, and that's on top of my normal expenses," he said.
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