BVO Sogam Issues Winter Advisory for Livestock Farmers to Minimize Cold-Season Losses – Alfaaz – The Words

Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara: With temperatures set to dip further in the coming weeks, Block Veterinary Officer (BVO) Sogam, Dr. Rafiqur Rahman, has issued a detailed Winter Preparedness Advisory urging livestock farmers to adopt preventive measures to protect their animals from cold stress and seasonal ailments.

According to the advisory, farmers have been asked to ensure proper housing and insulation for their animals by keeping them indoors during night hours, sealing draught points, and covering sheds with polythene sheets, tarpaulins, cardboard, or straw mats. The use of dry, thick bedding, including straw or sawdust, has been recommended to reduce the risk of mastitis, hoof disorders, and prolonged exposure to cold floors.

The BVO has stressed enhanced winter nutrition, advising the inclusion of energy-rich feed such as maize and crushed grains to meet increased metabolic demands. Balanced rations with concentrates, minerals, and vitamins were termed essential for maintaining immunity. Farmers have also been directed to provide clean, lukewarm water twice daily and ensure availability of quality dry fodder and stored silage where possible.

On the health front, the advisory calls for timely vaccination and deworming, along with close monitoring of animals for symptoms of pneumonia, one of the most common winter diseases, such as coughing, fever, rapid breathing, and nasal discharge. Dr. Rahman also urged farmers to maintain shed hygiene, avoid bathing animals in peak winter, and seek immediate veterinary assistance at the first sign of illness.

Special instructions have been issued for pregnant and young animals, including soft bedding, extra concentrates, and complete protection from cold drafts. Newborn calves should be kept in warm, dry enclosures, covered with jackets or gunny bags, and fed colostrum within the first hour of birth to build immunity.

For poultry farmers, the advisory highlights the need to maintain optimal shed temperature using safe heating, ensure proper ventilation without causing draughts, prevent overcrowding, and supplement drinking water with vitamins A, D, E and electrolytes. Feed should be stored carefully to avoid moisture buildup and potential fungal contamination.

Dr. Rahman urged livestock and poultry farmers to strictly adhere to the guidelines, noting that timely preparation can significantly cut down winter-related diseases, mortalities, and financial losses.