Livestock

Listeriosis in Cattle: Welfare and Silage Management

How poor silage quality causes listeriosis and how cattle welfare is protected through prevention.

Key Facts

Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes — often from poorly fermented silage
Causes encephalitis (circling disease), abortion, or systemic illness in cattle
Poor silage fermentation — high pH above 5.5 — allows Listeria to multiply
Silage with soil contamination or poorly consolidated clamps is highest risk

Welfare Considerations

Listeriosis causes severe neurological welfare compromise — circling, torticollis, and progressive brain stem infection. Welfare-focused prevention addresses silage making practices — adequate wilting, good consolidation, correct additive use, and avoiding soil contamination. Clinical cases require prompt high-dose penicillin treatment — welfare outcome is poor without very early intervention.

What You Can Do

Test silage pH as part of quality assessment — pH above 5.5 indicates listeriosis risk
Avoid feeding mouldy or poorly fermented silage to cattle
Seek emergency veterinary treatment for any cattle showing neurological signs — early treatment is critical