27 cows including bulls, cows and calves have died in a farm in the eastern part of Netrakona. It is believed that these cows died after eating Napier grass.
The incident took place at Tahazid Agro Farm in Paschim Para village of Purbadhala Sadar Union from Sunday (June 9) to Tuesday (June 11) night.
Zaherul Islam, the owner of the farm, said, ‘There are more than two hundred small and big cows in his farm. There are more bulls among them. He also made preparations to sell the bulls on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The cows started getting sick after being fed Napier grass from his own farm on Saturday evening. The cows started dying one by one from Sunday afternoon. A bull died last Tuesday around 8 pm. 27 cows of the farm died due to this. Among them, 23 bulls other than two milk cows and two calves.
He said, ‘This problem happened because the people taking care of the farm cut young grass from the field and immediately gave it to the cows as they were not at home that day. Napier grass was usually cut the day before and given the next day. Or the animals were allowed to eat by keeping them in the sun for two hours. At least 50 of the farm’s 203 cows were fed this grass. Four cows are still sick in the farm after the death. The upazila livestock officials came and collected samples and grass samples from the dead cows.
He said, ‘I suffered a great loss. I don’t understand what to do. I did the farm on loan.’
Purbadhala Upazila Livestock Officer MMA Awal Talukder said, ‘During the rains, the level of nitrogen in young grass is high. Cows can die from nitrate poisoning. Grass samples and dead cow samples were collected. More details will be known after the exam. In this regard, the medical team of the directorate is keeping up with the farmer and providing round-the-clock medical services.’
He further said, ‘Farmers should refrain from giving cows only raw grass. Besides, cows should not be fed immediately after cutting Napier grass.’
HM Kamal/RH/GKS
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