Effective management of Orosthenic syndrome in cattle

According to Mr. Nguyen Thien Hoang, many farm owners and breeders do not fully understand Orosthenic syndrome, also known as tongue rolling, which is characterized by repetitive movements of the tongue in and out of the mouth in cows.

Causes of this condition include boredom in confined animals, low-fiber diet, genetic predisposition, lack of environmental stimulation, abnormal oral behavior, stress and frustration, poor welfare index, low rumination time, high water intake, high milk production, and mineral deficiencies (phosphorus, calcium, etc.).

Mr. Nguyen Thien Hoang emphasized the importance of understanding animal welfare in the most general sense, which refers to ensuring the physical and mental well-being of animals. This involves treating animals well so that they are in good condition, avoiding unnecessary pain, whether the animal is a food animal, a production tool, a pet, a captive wild animal, or even an animal destined for slaughter.

Animal welfare relates to the mental and physical state of livestock and their ability to express natural behaviors within the livestock system. Under human control, animal welfare includes five conditions, known as the "Five Freedoms," which are based on the living habits of livestock. These are: freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from pain, injury, and disease, freedom from discomfort, freedom from fear and stress, and freedom to express natural behaviors (freedom to express instinctive behaviors). If these conditions are not met, it indicates that the farm has a poor welfare index.

To reduce the problem of tongue rolling in cattle, Mr. Nguyen Thien Hoang emphasized that farm owners and cattle breeders need to implement management and treatment measures in a systematic and scientific manner.

Accordingly, it is necessary to provide enough fiber, ensuring that livestock receive enough fiber in the diet through high-quality hay or silage, with effective neutral detergent fiber (eNDF) (NDF is a neutral detergent fiber component in the diet of ruminants and has the ability to affect feeding levels and digestibility).

Increase rumen stimulation by supplementing the diet with sodium bicarbonate or magnesium oxide to support buffering. Improve feeding practices by avoiding overfeeding concentrates and ensuring a balanced diet of forage and concentrates.

Increase environmental enrichment by providing scratching pads or other environmental stimuli to reduce stress and boredom. Increase fluid intake by ensuring adequate fresh, clean water is available to prevent dehydration.

Reduce stress by minimizing stressors such as overcrowding, loud noises, or sudden changes in diet or animal environment. Provide adequate space in the barn to ensure cows have enough room to move freely and perform natural behaviors.

Monitor and resolve health issues by regularly checking for potential health problems and addressing them promptly. Check individual rumination using Dataflow 2 software (provided by SCR/MSD Company for high-tech dairy farms to manage herds, detect estrus, and monitor the health of individual dairy cows).

By implementing these measures, farmers and ranchers can help reduce tongue rolling behavior in cows and promote their overall welfare.

It is known that Mr. Nguyen Thien Hoang started participating in the agricultural sector in 2003. He became the Chief Representative of Plastro Asia Pacific in Vietnam, specializing in high-tech irrigation solutions, in 2008.

Mr. Hoang's opportunity to enter the dairy farming field began in 2012, when he was Deputy General Director of Cho Tuong Lai Milk Company Limited and Director of Maxifeed Feed Factory in Tuyen Quang.

Subsequently, Mr. Nguyen Thien Hoang founded Dairy Vietnam Company Limited and implemented high-tech dairy farm projects nationwide for leading dairy companies in Vietnam, such as Vinamilk, TH true milk, Ho Toan Joint Stock Company, Nutifood, Da Lat Milk, Moc Chau Milk, and other farms. His goal was to introduce high-tech livestock solutions that bring sustainable efficiency to the farms.

The effective management of Orosthenic syndrome in cattle requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and environmental needs of the animals. By ensuring a high-fiber diet, promoting rumen stimulation, improving feeding practices, and enriching the environment, farmers can significantly reduce stress and boredom, which are primary contributors to the syndrome.