Experience has shown that dairy intensification and long-term cross breeding programs may affect the health condition of dairy cattle. With high levels of HF blood the animal’s ability to withstand high temperatures and other climatic factors is reduced, as well as the ability to withstand (temporary) lack of adequate food and housing conditions. As a result production goes down, mastitis and other diseases as well as infertility become more frequent, and calf mortality increases. Farmer income goes down due to increased cost of treatment as well as loss of production. Due to the increased use of medication milk becomes affected with residues of various chemicals, putting at risk the trust of the urban population in local products.

Depending on the local conditions and the cattle keeping system, specific challenges also arise. Clear examples are cattle affected by worms, ticks and tick-borne diseases in the case of grazing system; in a smallholder zero-grazing system the problems tend to be related to mastitis, hoof problems, wounds and infertility. Cattle health problems do not only arise in smallholders systems; in intensive dairy farming cattle health is also affected by mastitis, hoof problems and calf scour. Even in moderate climates tick infections and tick borne diseases are on the rise due to climate change.

The exchange and training programs are designed for dairy farmers, veterinarians and others in the dairy sector to find ways to handle specific local cattle health problems through natural livestock farming strategy. This includes the use of herbs (in feed, grassland or as a herbal remedy), breeding strategies, as well as housing and feeding improvements. Experience has shown that exchanges between dairy farmers from different countries with similar problems can be extremely effective.

Dutch Farm Experience is the leading company organizing exchange and training programs with the Natural Livestock Farming (NLF) network on challenges related to sustainable dairy farming and milk quality. An important focus is on the improvement of milk quality by improving cattle health and reducing the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals through the NLF 5-layered strategy.

The exchanges and training include proof of concept of practices, including:

• Good animal management strategies: feeding, water provision, housing, general care and animal treatment, hygiene, grassland management
• Breeding of robust animals well adapted to local conditions through (1) strategic three-way cross breeding programs, or (2) local breeds improvement programs
• Safe and effective use of medicinal plants for prevention and cure of common cattle diseases. Set up local herbal gardens, inventory of medicinal plants in the local area.
• Training on milk quality control on chemical residues
• How to improve farm income through reduced costs and stimulating direct marketing initiatives, for example with local breed products.

Pilots with these strategies have been done in India, Ethiopia and the Netherlands, showing excellent results and proof of concept. Exchanges to these countries can be organized.