423 – Comparing Farm Biosecurity and Antimicrobial Use in H (Research paper – Caekebeke – 2020)

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423 Research paper – Caekebeke – 2020 – Comparing Farm Biosecurity and Antimicrobial Use in H

423 Research paper
Comparing Farm Biosecurity and Antimicrobial Use in High-Antimicrobial-Consuming Broiler and Pig Farms in the Belgian–Dutch Border Region by Caekebeke, N., Jonquiere, F. J., Ringenier, M., Tobias, T. J., Postma, M., van den Hoogen, A., Houben, M. A. M., Velkers, F. C., Sleeckx, N., 2020 Veterinary Science 7: 11-Jan
In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; Animal
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry;
Age: Young;
Summary:
On average, more biosecurity measures were implemented on Dutch farms, compared to Belgian farms in both animal species. In addition, more opportunities were found to increase the level of internal biosecurity compared to external biosecurity in both countries. There was a substantial difference in AMU between farms from both countries. In both poultry and pig production, the majority of antimicrobials used were extended-spectrum penicillins. Compared to Belgian farms, Dutch poultry farms used high amounts of (fluoro)quinolones (1 and 15% of total AMU, respectively). None of the production parameters between broiler farms differed significantly, but in pig production, weaning age in Belgian farms (median: 23) was lower than in Dutch farms (median: 27). These results indicate considerable room for improvement in both countries and animal species. Farm-specific preventive strategies can contribute to lowering the risk for animal disease and hence the need for AMU.
423 Research paper – Caekebeke – 2020 – Comparing Farm Biosecurity and Antimicrobial Use in H
Where to find the original material: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345942229_Comparing_Farm_Biosecurity_and_Antimicrobial_Use_in_High-Antimicrobial-Consuming_Broiler_and_Pig_Farms_in_the_Belgian-Dutch_Border_Region; Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Country: Belgium; Netherlands

403 – Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli APEC in chickens (Research paper – Berghof – 2019)

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403 Research paper – Berghof – 2019 – Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli APEC in chickens

Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in chickens by Berghof, T.V.L., Matthijs, M.G.R., Arts, J.A.J., Bovenhuis H., Dwars, R.M., J.J. van der Poel, Visker, M.H.P.W., and H.K. Parmentier 2019 Developmental and Comparative Immunology 93: 45-57
In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Chickens bred for higher levels of ‘natural antibodies’ have a better Escherichia coli disease resistance, researcher of Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University report. Breeding chickens for an improved general disease resistance is thereby a step closer. This can ultimately result in reduced antibiotics use and improved welfare for animals. Animals have so-called ‘natural antibodies’, which are a part of the immune system. Natural antibodies recognize pathogens in healthy animals, without (a previous) exposure of the animal to this pathogen. The antibodies slow down and prevent spreading of the pathogen from in the body. In addition, they warn and activate other parts of the immune system.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145305X18304816; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.007
Country: NL

401 Intra Repiderma spray by Intracare BV (Industry Innovation)

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401 Industry Innovation – Intra Repiderma spray by Intracare BV

401 Industry Innovation
Intra Repiderma spray by Intracare B.V.
In Significant Impact Groups: Specific alternatives \ Other
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The udder cleft incidence on a farm is often underestimated, particularly on farms with a milking robot. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to regularly check the udders of all animals using a telescopic inspection mirror. Udder cleft issues like udder cleft dermatitis or foul udder are often located between the front teats and at the transition of the front quarters and the abdominal wall. Although this condition is well known in the dairy industry, not much research has been performed. This is the first large-scale study that demonstrates the positive effect of the non-antibiotic Intra Repiderma spray on mild udder skin issues. Spraying of the mild udder skin cases every 2 days resulted in 81.8% full skin recovery with a median time for recovery of 4 weeks.

Where to find the original material: https://www.intracare.nl/r-d/publications/prevention-care-of-udder-cleft-dermatitis-in-dairy-cows;
Country: NL

397 – Field trial to demonstrate the intelligent dairy assistantIDA system on dairy farms (Research paper – Rutten 2019)

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397 Research paper – Rutten 2019 – Field trial to demonstrate the intelligent dairy assistantIDA system on dairy farms

In Significant Impact Groups: Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection \ Sensor technology
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Connecterra’s Intelligent Dairy Assistant (IDA) is a novel Internet of Things based on a management support system for dairy farms. IDA uses sensor technology, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to support dairy farmers with insights on oestrus and health management. The IDA system uses feedback on historic data to improve its underlying models and farmers may learn from using the system. The experiences indicate that oestrus detection can be improved, and health monitoring can help to start early treatment and thereby reduce the use of antibiotics. For milk production the results are inconclusive as the groups with and without IDA were not balanced on milk yield before the field trial started. Based on the limited size of the experiment it could not be proven significant effects or causal relationships.

Where to find the original material: http://www.eaplf.eu/wp-content/uploads/ECPLF_19_book.pdf; ISBN 978-1-84170-654-2
Country: BE; NL

396 – Precision livestock farming for pigs (Research report – Vranken – 2017)

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396 Research report – Vranken – 2017 – Precision livestock farming for pigs

In Significant Impact Groups: Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection \ Sensor technology
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
In the precision livestock farming (PLF) concept, sensors and algorithms translate the measured animal responses into key indicators for optimal performance, improved animal welfare, and farm sustainability. The output of the sensors (e.g., activity measures with a camera or sound measures with a microphone) is related to animal-based welfare and health indicators such as aggression or respiratory diseases. When sensor signals start to deviate from their expected values, alerts are given to the farmer. In this way the farmer can take an immediate action before the detected change in animal response negatively affects the production performance. These actions range from solving technical problems such as a blocked feeding line, adjusting control settings in the climate and feed controller, etc. In most cases, a preventive medical treatment prevents the further spreading of respiratory diseases in the pen, and the use of antibiotics can be reduced or even precluded.

Where to find the original material: https://academic.oup.com/af/article/7/1/32/4638771; https://doi.org/10.2527/af.2017.0106
Country: BE; NL

371- Practical strategies to reduce antimicrobial use in dairy farming (Research report – EuroDairy – 2018)

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371 Research report – EuroDairy – 2018 – Practical strategies to reduce antimicrobial use in dairy farming

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ None
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult; Young;
Summary:
This report highlights the extent of quantitative reduction which can be achieved, both in overall antimicrobial use, and especially of Critically Important Antibiotics (CIA’s) whose efficacy must be preserved for use in human medicine. EuroDairy gathered intelligence through its partners and wider networks, organized a cross border workshop, farmer exchange visits, technical webinars, and linked to regional Operational Groups focussed on reducing antibiotics. The only way to sustainably reduce the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is through an integrated approach to disease control, which sustainably improves animal health. Hotspots for antibiotic use are treatment for mastitis (including dry cow therapy), lameness and foot health, respiratory disease and young stock health.

Where to find the original material: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5c0d054f7&appId=PPGMS;
Country: SE; DK; NL; UK; BE; FR; ES

365 – A review of environmental enrichment for laying hens during rearing in relation to their behavioral and physiological development (Research paper – Campbell – 2019)

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365 Research paper – Campbell – 2019 – A review of environmental enrichment for laying hens during rearing in relation to their behavioral and physiological development

Housing and welfare \ Enrichment
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Recently, there has been increasing focus on the impacts of the rearing environment on long-term behavior, health, and welfare of layers. Enriching the rearing environments with physical, sensory, and stimulatory additions can help to maximize the bird’s developmental potential. This review describes the available literature regarding enrichments provided during rearing and the subsequent impact they have on different aspects of behavioral and physiological development, including identifying the ways enrichments could have biological impact. The behaviour of the birds and their needs (dustbathing, perching, foraging) will improve their well-being and will probably result in a bird that is better able to respond to infections. But what exactly the mechanism behind the positive impact of enriched housing environments is on immunocompetence are currently poorly understood due to limited research in this area. There is a need to identify practical cost-effective enrichments that producers would use on-farm and to have commercial validation of positive impacts on aspects of behavior and biology.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119302822; https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey319
Country: UK; NL; AU

353 Health effects of on-farm hatching by WUR (Industry Innovation)

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353 Industry Innovation – Health effects of on-farm hatching by WUR

In Significant Impact Groups: Housing and welfare \ New housing systems
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Broilers that hatch in the barn show less mortality and have less foot sole lesions. This is shown by research of Wageningen Livestock Research that compares the traditional hatching system to on-farm hatching. The results show that chicks that hatch on farm have a better health. It seems plausible that conditions in early life influence the health and behavior of chicks for a long time. The different outcome systems show no difference in behavior in the pens. However, there are differences in the reaction when the chicks are exposed to a test situation, not only at a young age but also at an older age.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2020/05/19/bij-hitte-vaker-voeren-en-boxen-schoonmaken;
Country: NL

349 – Extended lactation of dairy cows (Research report – van Eekeren – 2012)

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349 Research report – van Eekeren – 2012 – Extended lactation of dairy cows

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Extended lactation has been shown successful in goat and sheep. The aim of this paper was to investigate to what extend dairy cows can benefit from extended lactations also. Extended lactation reduces the number of calvings. Most of the health problems are observed around calving (end of the dry period up to 6 weeks after parturition) and therefore extended lactations can improve animal health and welfare and improve job satisfaction for the farmer. Based on a dataset of 116 organic dairy farms, calculations were made to find out to what extent the total milk production per cow was affected by the lower daily milk production and the overall shorter dry period at extended lactations. Extended lactations were defined as lactations of 500 days or more. About 6% of the lactations on a farm were classified as extended, although this varied among farms. According to the authors the lowered daily milk production was covered by the increased number of milking days and overall shorter dry period. Theoretically, the overall milk production could even be higher than total milk production collected at mean lactations of 345 days (which was the average lactation length of the farms). However good food quality, good management and healthy animals are needed to make extended lactation successful.

Where to find the original material: https://www.louisbolk.org/downloads/2544.pdf;
Country: NL

348 Mastitis therapy with immune cells by Mastivax (Industry Innovation)

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348 Industry Innovation – Mastitis therapy with immune cells by Mastivax

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
A new therapy for mastitis is being developed by Mastivax without the need of using antibiotics. Blood of an infected dairy cow is collected and the immune cells are isolated. The immune cells are then injected into the infected part of the udder. Under laboratory settings it has been demonstrated that the immune cells kill the bacteria causing mastitis. However this procedure needs further research to investigate effectiveness and treatment frequency.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2018/12/18/mastitis-behandelen-met-immuuncellen;
Country: NL