The Rural Voice, 1982-03, Page 15Stray voltage could be the problem
consequently has more solid contact with
the earth. Finally, saliva, milk, the salt
secretion of mastitis and urine are all
conductive solutions. The cow can detect
potential differences down to 0.5 volts.
whereas the human being cannot detect
potential differences of less than 5 volts.
Drs. Zdrojewski and Davidson also
listed the signs of stray voltage in cows.
which vary according to the size of the
voltage and its location within a dairy
barn. They include: Uneven milkout of
quarters: decrease in milk production.
(Milk ejection can be prevented by actual
or anticipated pain. A quarter which is not
milked out is lacking an important
stimulate to produce more milk), in-
creased clinical mastitis: nervousness and
apprehension, expressed as balking at the
parlor threshold, dancing around in
stanchions, kicking off machines,
frequent urination and defecation during
milking, failure to ruminate and stam-
peding out of the parlour when released:
refusal to eat from metal feeders and
• refusal to drink from water bowls.
Mel Greig saw almost all of the above
symptoms, but no one was able to tell him
what was wrong.
Jack Rodenberg, a dairy specialist with
the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food. in an article on transient hydro in
the October, 1981 The Ontario Milk
Producer says that different cows show
different levels of sensitivity and conduct
electricity more easily under certain
circumstances. Preliminary data suggests
that more than 0.5 volts can be a problem
to some cows and warrants corrective
action.
Rodenberg warns that checking for
transient hydro requires a good quality
high impedance volt meter with a full scale
reading of 2 to 5 volts AC. Many
inexpensive meters record DC voltage on
the AC scale and are inaccurate. "We
recommend the Radio Shack Micronta
Digital Multi -meter # 22-198 at $99.95 as
the least expensive meter available which
meets our criteria," he said. "Most
electricians do not have this equipment
since there are no other reasons for
routine measurements of such small
voltages."
If anyone is interested in checking their
own farm for transient hydro. a detailed
procedure is available by writing to Jack
Rodenberg, Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food, Box 666,
Woodstock, Ontario N4S 7Z5. It is
necessary to check your facilities at
different locations and at different times
of the day. If you get a low voltage reading
initially, but think you have a problem, ask
to have a meter installed which will give
you con tinuous readings.
Bob Leslie, at the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture office in Toronto, says there
are over a dozen cases on file of problems
caused by transient hydro. The O.F.A.
published a warning to farmers in the
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O.F.A. members can contact Leslie at
416-485-3333 for further assistance.
Although more has been written about
the effects of transient hydro on dairy
cows, there is evidence that the problem
can seriously affect pigs and, possibly
beef cattle.
What's going on
in agriculture?
Check
Country Calendar
page 32
PUREBRED
LANDRACE, YORK
AND CROSSBRED
BOARS
R.O.P. tested and health
approved
Also
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OPEN OR BRED
Phone
BRANDY POINT
FARMS
Willy and Kurt Keller
RR#1, Mitchell
519-348-9753 or 348-8043
THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1982 PG 13