During autumn calving, a major health problem which can affect new-born calves is pneumonia. Provita Promist is a proprietary blend of natural organic acids, essential oils and wetting agents which together improve conditions of housed stock. Natural organic acids in Promist lower the pH in the air creating an environment inhibitory to harmful bacteria and viruses. It should be used at housing or when new stock has been introduced onto the farm, as pathogens can spread when animals from different sources are mixed. Thereafter use as often as required, e.g. when more stock is added to cattle houses or during still weather conditions until air flow improves. It can also be used daily in houses that have permanently poor air flow. Promist will also reduce ammonia and dust levels. It should be used above and around the cattle to purify the air, the surfaces and the animals. The essential oils provide an expectorant effect.
The use of Provita Promist to improve air quality and maintain good animal health is rapidly growing across the UK and Ireland. Barry Logan of Logan Calf Farms rears around 2000 calves per year in County Antrim. They arrive from various farms and marts at 1 month old and are sold on at around 3 months old. The calves come from many different sources so are exposed to a mixture of various airborne pathogens. At the end of 2016, there was a particularly calm spell of weather which led to poor airflow in sheds regardless of how well designed or open the houses were. At this time, approximately 50% of the calves needed to be given an antibiotic. However, since Barry started using Provita Promist regularly he sees an immediate and significant improvement in the air quality, resulting in only 5% of calves needing an antibiotic; a 90% reduction! He now uses Provita Promist regularly to maintain good airflow and quality to help keep his calves healthy and thriving. With Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) becoming a major threat for animal and human health the use of alternative products such as Provita Promist will have a much greater role to play in keeping livestock healthier in the future.
James and Francis Kyle who run 200 milking cows near Ballymoney have seen a big difference in their calf health and vitality since they started using Provita Promist. They were using a fan and tunnel but were still having problems. Since using Provita Promist they have reduced their usage of antibiotics. They have also experienced a vast reduction in digital dermatitis related lameness by signing up to Provita Hoofsure HELP service and using Hoofsure Endurance footbath solution.
The Shaw family farm in Castlewellan is home to a small herd of spring calving suckler cows plus a number of bought-in cattle. After reviewing their rearing process in relation to pneumonia prevention they pinpointed environmental factors as a potential issue. They started using Provita Promistto fog sheds when weanlings, young stores, finishers and suckler cow groups were housed from late September to early November. The results were very noticeable when mixing various batches of cattle in the same air space as no groups developed acute coughs upon housing. The respiratory health in bought-in calves has been greatly improved with use of Provita Promist. Another observation since using Provita Promist is the absence of ringworm infection on calves in houses that have traditionally manifested it. While it is typically innocuous in cattle, it is unsightly and something they are pleasantly surprised not to see this year.