The Livestock Development Department is investigating the mysterious deaths of 144 cows in Prachuap Khiri Khan, possibly from bacteria-contaminated feed.
Dairy farmers are estimated to have lost about 10 million baht from the dying cattle. They sought assistance from the provincial governor after cows began dying at 13 farms last month.
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Banch Choterattanarit, president of the Dairy Cooperatives Federation of Thailand for Prachuap Khiri Khan, said the mass deaths have created a financial crisis for dairy farmers in Pran Buri, Sam Roi Yot and Kui Buri districts.
Livestock Development Department director-general Ayuth Harintaranon led a veterinary team to several farms Sunday. He said preliminary blood tests of indicated the dead cows' liver cells were damaged by clostridium nouyi bacteria, which was found in the bovines' colons.
The team also found mould contamination in feed made of tapioca residue produced during ethanol extraction. The mould may create toxins harmful to cows.
However, the department has to wait about a week for laboratory results from the National Institute of Animal Health to be certain of the exact cause of death, he said.
Mr Ayuth said the department had asked farmers not to feed cattle tapioca residue and instead use dried or fresh grass or straw.
Chompoo Suwat, a cow owner at Sanan Farm in Sam Roi Yot district, said her cows started dying Sept 27, with six cows dying nearly at once. More have perished gradually since. In all, she said she has lost 33 of 100 animals.
Before they died, the cows exhibited fever, shortness of breath, malaise and muscle spasms, she said. Some showed symptoms for one or two days, but one fell over and died after only a few minutes on Sunday.
Ms Chompoo urged the department to find the cause as soon as possible to help prevent more losses.