320 – Animal Sound Talks Real-time Sound Analysis for Health Monitoring in Livestock (Research paper – Berckmans – 2015)

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320 Research paper – Berckmans – 2015 – Animal Sound Talks Real-time Sound Analysis for Health Monitoring in Livestock

In Significant Impact Groups: Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection \ Sensor technology
Species targeted: Pigs; Beef;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Precision livestock farming (PLF) is a livestock management technology. Sound-based PLF techniques have significant advantages over other technologies such as cameras. Besides the fact that microphones are contactless and relatively cheap, there is no need for a direct line of sight, while large groups of animals can be monitored with a single sensor in a room. This paper presents an example of a PLF product, the respiratory distress monitor, which automatically monitors the respiratory health status of a group of pigs. Results of five different use cases are discussed to show the effectiveness of the respiratory distress monitor as an early warning tool for respiratory problems in a pig house. It is demonstrated that the tool works for the early detection of animal responses due to technical issues (ventilation problems) and health issues in a wide range of different conditions in commercial European pig houses.

Where to find the original material: https://limo.libis.be/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=LIRIAS1673361&context=L&vid=Lirias&search_scope=Lirias&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US&fromSitemap=1;
Country: BE

296 – The effect of vaccination on the transmission of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs under field conditions (Research paper – Villarreal – 2011)

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296 Research paper – Villarreal – 2011 – The effect of vaccination on the transmission of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs under field conditions

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Vaccination
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
This study investigated the effect of vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on its transmission in nursery pigs under field conditions. Seventy-two pigs were randomly placed at weaning into vaccinated (V) and non-vaccinated (NV) groups. Animals in the V group were vaccinated at 3 weeks of age with a commercial M. hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid taken at weaning and at the end of the nursery period was assessed for the presence of M. hyopneumoniae, and the reproduction ratio of infection (Rn) was calculated. The study indicates that vaccination does not significantly reduce the transmission of this respiratory pathogen.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023310001450; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.04.024
Country: BE

295 – A systemic integrative framework to describe comprehensively a swine health system Flanders as an example (Research paper – Rojo-Gimeno – 2018)

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295 Research paper – Rojo-Gimeno – 2018 – A systemic integrative framework to describe comprehensively a swine health system Flanders as an example

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The objective of this study was understand the complexity of a swine health system. To that end, qualitative interviews were held with 33 relevant stakeholders in Flanders. Findings show the Flemish swine health system features coordinates well policies and sector’s agreements to reduce the antimicrobial use in the pig sector and is adequately complemented with good education of health professionals. However, the lack of an adequate professional representation of swine veterinarians, the tradition that veterinary advice is provided for ‘free’ by feed companies, and the shortage of reliable farm productivity data are problems. Furthermore, often the business model used by veterinarians is based on the sale of medicines. This leads to conflicts of interest on preventive vaccinations advice and, in turn, farmers distrust their advice. The results of this study can aid policy makers to anticipate the effects of proposed interventions and regulations, leading to better estimates of their effectiveness.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587717307687; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.02.017
Country: BE

246 Kapstok M-team by M-team Faculty of veterinary medicine Ughent (Tools & Checklists)

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246 ToolsChecklists – Kapstok M-team by M-team Faculty of veterinary medicine Ughent

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age:
Summary:
The M-team from Ughents’ faculty of veterinary medicine provides an action guide with 10 critical points to be attention to as a dairy farmer to improve the prevention of new mastitis infections as well as shortening the recovery period of infected cows and increase the odds full clinical and bacteriological infection. The 10 points are: good milking technique, regular checks and maintenance of the milking installation, optimization of comfort and hygiene, meticulous treatment sub-and clinical mastitis, optimization of drying-off protocol, culling of chronically infected cows, sufficient attention to housing and health management for heifers, general health of the dairy herd, breeding for better udder health and monthly monitoring of the udder health on the dairy farm. For all these points, practical tips and relevant information are collected in farmer-friendly language that allow to pinpoint the areas to focus on and how to take corrective action.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ugent.be/di/vvb/nl/over-ons/m-team_kapstok;
Country: Belgium;

245 Selectief droogzetten in Vlaanderen by M-Team Ughent Faculty of veterinary science (Tools & Checklists)

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245 ToolsChecklists – Selectief droogzetten in Vlaanderen by M-Team Ughent Faculty of veterinary science

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age:
Summary:
The tool “Selectief droogzetten in Vlaanderen” provides an easy to use flowchart to determine whether your dairy meets the requirements to start practicing selective dry cow therapy and if so provides a flowchart to assist in selecting cows needing antibiotic treatment when drying-off and which don’t. Farm determinants include: attitude towards selective dry-cow therapy, good drying-off protocol in place, absence of Streptococcus agalactiae from the herd, recording of milk production and or somatic cell count (SCC) and a bulk milk SCC less than 250 000 cells per ml. The determinants at cow level include the occurrence of clinical mastitis between the last milk production recording and the moment of drying-off, the production level at drying off, data on the last three SCC’s before drying-off and specific thresholds for the SCC per cow depending on parity and the 6 monthly geometric average of the bulk SCC of the herd.

Where to find the original material: https://m-tools.ugent.be/home/Poster_selectief_droogzetten.pdf;
Country: Belgium

214 Essential Oils in Drinking Water_ Using Flexibility and Speed to Help Poultry During Gut Health Challenges by Biomin (Industry Innovation)

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214 Industry Innovation – Essential Oils in Drinking Water_ Using Flexibility and Speed to Help Poultry During Gut Health Challenges by Biomin

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
While adding phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) to feed is the most common application method, many producers are realizing the benefits of including PFAs in drinking water. PFAs can be used to tackle necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry, a challenge likely to result in decreased feed intake. Bans on the use of antibiotic growth promotors in livestock production around the world have resulted in a performance gap. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) can help bridge the gap due to their beneficial biological effects. Drinking water application of PFAs (example of Digestarom® P.E.P. sol.) ensures they are delivered to the gut during times when they are most needed. Drinking water application of PFAs is flexible and quick and is increasing in popularity. Application can take place in combination with other additives such as organic acids, probiotics, or vaccines. Improved broiler gut quality and function results in reduced disease incidence and less treatment costs.

Where to find the original material: https://www.biomin.net/science-hub/essential-oils-in-drinking-water-using-flexibility-and-speed-to-help-poultry-during-gut-health-challenges-1/;
Country: IT; BE

191 A Comparison of Pig Farmers and Veterinarians Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries (Research paper – Visschers, 2016)

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191 Research paper – Visschers – 2016 – A Comparison of Pig Farmers and Veterinarians Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
To manage the antimicrobial (AM) resistance problem, the usage of AM should be reduced in pig farming, as well as in other areas. A mail survey among pig farmers (N = 1,294) and an online survey among veterinarians (N = 334) was done in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The results showed that farmers and veterinarians had similar perceptions of the risks and benefits of AM usage. Veterinarians were more optimistic than pig farmers about reducing AM usage in pig farming. Farmers believed that their efficacy over AM reduction was relatively high. Farmers’ intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians’ self-reported reduction behaviors were connected with factors concerning the feasibility of reducing AM usage. To promote prudent AM usage, pig farmers should learn and experience how to reduce usage by applying alternative measures, whereas veterinarians should strengthen their advisory role and competencies to support and educate farmers.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26890125; https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12260
Country: BE; CH; DK; SE; FR, DE

190 Higher perceived risks of antimicrobial use are related to lower usage among pig farmers in four European countries (Research paper – Visschers, 2016)

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190 Research paper – Visschers – 2016 – Higher perceived risks of antimicrobial use are related to lower usage among pig farmers in four European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
It is important to understand pig farmers’ motivators and the barriers to antimicrobial usage (AMU) on their farms. Pig farmers’ self-estimated levels of AMU, their perceived benefits, risks and the need for antimicrobials were studied in a cross-sectional survey in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. These perceptions were compared between the four countries and related them to pig farmers’ actual AMU. Results showed that farmers using more antimicrobials also estimated their own usage as higher. Farmers perceived many benefits but few risks of AMU in pig farming. Some significant cross-country differences in farmers’ perceptions were found, but they were relatively small. Country differences as well as perceived risks of antimicrobials served to predict farmers’ actual AMU. Promoting prudent AMU should focus on the structural differences in pig farming and veterinary medicine among countries. In addition, interventions aiming at reducing AMU should increase farmers’ awareness of the risks of extensive AMU.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27553605; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103844
Country: BE; SE; CH; FR; DE

189 Perceptions of antimicrobial usage antimicrobial resistance and policy measures to reduce antimicrobial usage (Research paper – Visschers, 2015)

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189 Research paper – Visschers – 2015 – Perceptions of antimicrobial usage antimicrobial resistance and policy measures to reduce antimicrobial usage

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
A survey of pig farmers (N = 281) was performed in Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Generally, farmers perceived their own antimicrobial usage as lower than that of their fellow countrymen and lower than or similar to that of farmers from other countries. Farmers were significantly more worried about financial/legal issues than about antimicrobial resistance. Further, farmers who worried about antimicrobial resistance and estimated their antimicrobial usage as lower than their fellow countrymen, perceived more impact from policy measures on antimicrobial reduction. Results indicated that the same policy measures can be applied to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig farming in all five countries. Moreover, increasing pig farmers’ awareness of the threat of antimicrobial resistance and its relation to antimicrobial usage is worth investing into; not only because pig farmers were not worried about antimicrobial usage but also because it affected farmers’ perception of policy measures to reduce antimicrobial usage.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25684036; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.018
Country: SE; CH; BE; DE; FR

186 Scoring biosecurity in European conventional broiler production (Research paper – Van Limbergen, 2018)

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186 Research paper – Van Limbergen – 2018 – Scoring biosecurity in European conventional broiler production

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to measure biosecurity on conventional broiler farms in Europe, following a standardized procedure, and identify factors that can be improved. The current study used a risk-based weighted scoring system to assess the level of biosecurity on 399 conventional broiler farms in 5 EU member states. A possible relation between biosecurity and farm characteristics was investigated. The participating broiler farms scored better for internal biosecurity than for external biosecurity. There was variation between biosecurity scores for the different member states. Within external biosecurity, the subcategory related to “infrastructure and vectors” had the highest score, while the subcategory “visitors and staff” had the lowest. Within internal biosecurity, the subcategory “disease management” had the highest score. Internal biosecurity was inversely related to the number of employees and farm size. Results show better education of broiler farmers and their staff may help to improve biosecurity on broiler farms.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29077940; http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex296
Country: BE; FI; ES; PL; CY