346 – Genome editing for disease resistance in pigs and chickens (Research paper – Proudfoot – 2019)

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346 Research paper – Proudfoot – 2019 – Genome editing for disease resistance in pigs and chickens

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Targeted breeding is common practice, with measurable production traits such as feed conversion in cattle or wool production in sheep. In the late 20th century, genomic selection was added to the livestock breeding tool box achieving faster improvement in livestock production efficiency. Genome editing offers new opportunities to livestock breeding for disease resistance, allowing the direct translation of laboratory research into disease-resistant or resilient animals. Shown progress in genome editing so far in pigs and chicken are discussed (PRRS, PEDV, ASFV and ALV, avian influenza virus).The two major hurdles still to be faced prior to implementation of this promising technology are consumer acceptance and the regulatory framework.

Where to find the original material: https://academic.oup.com/af/article/9/3/6/5522878; https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfz013
Country: UK

345 – EIP-AGRI Focus Group – Reducing antibiotic use in pig farming – Final Report (Research report – European Commission – 2014)

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345 Research report – European Commission – 2014 – EIP-AGRI Focus Group – Reducing antibiotic use in pig farming_ Final Report

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Specific alternatives
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Antibiotics are used to treat and control pathogenic bacterial infections. The key to reducing the need for antibiotics is improving pig health. Under the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) a focus group (FG) looked into how to reduce the use of antibiotics in pig farming. In the report the results, recommendations and proposals from the group to reduce antibiotic use are presented. The group identified three main areas where practical solutions already exist or may be further developed to reduce antibiotic use:– General enhancement of animal health and welfare to reduce the need for antibiotic use through better biosecurity, management and husbandry, facility design and management, and training of personnel, veterinarians and advisors.– Specific alternatives to antibiotics including vaccination, feeding approaches and breeding.– Changing attitudes, habits and human behaviour (farmers, agri-advisors and veterinarians) and improving information dissemination.

Where to find the original material: https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/sites/agri-eip/files/eip-agri_fg3_pig_antibiotics_final_report_2014_en_0.pdf;
Country: EU

344 – Usage of Antibiotics in Agricultural Livestock in the Netherlands in 2017 Trends and benchmarking of livestock farms and veterinarians (Research report – Sda – 2018)

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344 Research report – Sda – 2018 – Usage of Antibiotics in Agricultural Livestock in the Netherlands in 2017 Trends and benchmarking of livestock farms and veterinarians

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Other;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary:
In 2017, the turkey and broiler farming sectors managed to substantially reduce their antibiotic use in terms of defined daily doses animal (DDDANAT). They achieved reductions of 23.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Less prominent reductions of 3.6% and 1.9% were observed for the veal and pig farming sectors, respectively. The cattle farming sector’s usage level increased slightly over the 2016-2017 period, by 2.2%. In 2017, no distinct shifts towards lower benchmark zones occurred in the veal farming sector. The pig farming sector saw an undesirable rise in the percentage of farms with weaner pigs recording action zone usage levels. This development was due to the new benchmark thresholds introduced in 2016.The SDa expert panel recommends paying special attention to outlier farms. In 2017, sales of antibiotics in terms of kilograms of active substances amounted to 181,097 kg.

Where to find the original material: https://www.autoriteitdiergeneesmiddelen.nl/en/news/28/sda-report-usage-of-antibiotics-in-agricultural-livestock-in-the-netherlands-in-2017 ;
Country: NL

343 – Associations between antimicrobial use and the prevalence of resistant micro-organisms Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance data (Research report – Sda – 2016)

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343 Research report – Sda – 2016 – Associations between antimicrobial use and the prevalence of resistant micro-organisms Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance dat

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Beef;
Age: Young;
Summary:
An expert panel analyzed the relationship between antimicrobial use in the Dutch livestock sector and the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant micro-organisms in livestock. Changes in usage and resistance levels between 2009 and 2014, for most of the commonly used antibiotics, the strongest declines in usage levels were observed in the pig (54%) and broiler (57%) farming sectors. In most livestock sectors, total and antimicrobial-specific usage levels are clearly associated with the antimicrobial-specific resistance levels. Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance data? This would require information on resistance-related risks such as public health risks, and currently available data do not allow for quantification of such risks. If an acceptable resistance level were to be determined, the corresponding antimicrobial usage level could serve as the basis for benchmarking values. As yet, however, no acceptable resistance level has been defined.

Where to find the original material: https://cdn.i-pulse.nl/autoriteitdiergeneesmiddelen/userfiles/Publications/def-engels-rapport-abgebruik-en-resistentie-0516.pdf;
Country: NL

342 – Eindrapportage Veerkracht van Melkvee I – Verandering van dynamiek voorspellende kracht (Research report – van Dixhoorn – 2016)

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342 Research report – van Dixhoorn – 2016 – Eindrapportage Veerkracht van Melkvee I_ Verandering van dynamiek voorspellende kracht

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The transition period is a critical phase in the life of dairy cows. Early identification of cows at risk for disease would allow for early intervention and optimization of the transition period. To examine the relationship between the risk to develop diseases early in lactation and dynamic patterns of high-resolution, physiological and behavioural data, were continuously recorded in individual cows before calving. The results suggest that quantitative parameters derived from sensor data may reflect the level of resilience of individual cows. The developed model offers sufficient perspective to provide predictive value for individual cows as to how well they manage the transition period. Early detection (during dry state) enables adjustment for the lactation period. In combination with Koe-kompas this is a valuable tool in the PDCA (Plan Do Check Act) cycle. A number of aspects from Critical Slowing Down theory can be applied to the individual animal.

Where to find the original material: http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/fulltext/386110; http://dx.doi.org/10.18174/386110
Country: NL

341 – Yeast-secreted dried and food-admixed monomeric IgA prevents gastrointestinal infection in a piglet model (Research paper – Virdi – 2019)

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341 Research paper – Virdi – 2019 – Yeast-secreted dried and food-admixed monomeric IgA prevents gastrointestinal infection in a piglet model

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
With the rapidly increasing knowledge of the role of the gut microbiome in diverse aspects of human and veterinary health, antibody-type drug-mediated methodology to specifically interfere with the microbiome or host factors in the gut is needed. Oral antibodies that interfere with gastrointestinal targets and can be manufactured at scale are needed. This paper shows that a single-gene-encoded monomeric immunoglobulin A (IgA)-like antibody, composed of camelid variable single domain antibodies (VHH) fused to IgA Fc (mVHH-IgA), prevents infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F4-ETEC) in piglets. The mVHH-IgA can be produced in soybean seeds or secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris, freeze- or spraydried and orally delivered within food. Future farm-based trials en route translation of this application, will enable impact assessment of mVHH-IgA on F4-ETEC-caused diarrhea and weight loss.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0070-x ; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0070-x
Country: BE

340 – Efficacy of non-antibiotic treatment options for digital dermatitis on an organic dairy farm (Research paper – Paudyal – 2020)

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340 Research paper – Paudyal – 2020 – Efficacy of non-antibiotic treatment options for digital dermatitis on an organic dairy farm

In Significant Impact Groups: Specific alternatives \ Other
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two non-antibiotic treatment options for digital dermatitis (DD) (1) topical application of copper sulfate and iodine (CUI); (2) topical application of honey and iodine (HOI); and (3) control subject to no treatment (CON). A randomized clinical trial was conducted using 70 multiparous Holstein cows with an early DD lesion at a USDA certified organic dairy farm in Northern Colorado, USA. The two non-antibiotic formulations resulted in an earlier transition to mature lesions compared with the control group. The CUI combination was the most effective treatment in reducing lesion size, pain, and lameness in affected cows. However, this combination had short-term efficacy, which did not persist throughout the duration of the study. The HOI combination produced only transient reduction in lesion size.

Where to find the original material: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023319301509; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.105417
Country: USA

339 – Economics of antibiotic usage on Dutch farms (Research report – Policy paper – Bergevoet – 2019)

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339 Research report – Bergevoet – 2019 – Policy paper_ Economics of antibiotic usage on Dutch farms

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Dutch Policy Paper. Reduction in antibiotic usage did not lead to a weaker competitive position of Dutch farmers. The reduction in antibiotic usage on broiler and pig farms in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2017 did not result in a deviation from the long-term trend in average production and economic results in these sectors. To improve animal health, which made a reduction in antibiotic usage possible, farmers used a variety of relatively easy and cheap measures, such as more attention to hygiene, use of pain killers and anti-inflammatory agents or more preventive vaccinations. International cost competitiveness of Dutch broiler and pig farms was not hampered by the reduction in antibiotic usage. The deterioration of the cost competitiveness in especially sow farms was caused by other factors, e.g. an increase of environmental costs. Experiences in the Netherlands show that an active policy towards antibiotic usage reduction can work.

Where to find the original material: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/economics-of-antibiotic-usage-on-dutch-farms-the-impact-of-antibi;
Country: NL

338- Automated collection of heat stress data in livestock_ new technologies and opportunities (Research paper – Koltes – 2018)

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338 Research paper – Koltes – 2018 – Automated collection of heat stress data in livestock_ new technologies and opportunities

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy; Beef;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The objective of this manuscript is to discuss automated body temperature monitoring technologies and to discuss their use to develop new strategies to overcome potential animal health problems. Development of technologies to detect elevated temperature earlier or to predict and prevent the negative effects of a fever or heat stress would be extremely valuable. Future development of these technologies will require real-time data collection, data management, and development of predictive models to determine the risk of heat and disease stress to allow for early intervention to prevent or limit losses in current and future generations of animals.

Where to find the original material: https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/2/3/319/4999824; https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy061
Country: USA

337 – Understanding antimicrobial use and prescribing behaviours by pig veterinary surgeons and farmers – A qualitative study (Research paper – Coyne – 2014)

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337 Research paper – Coyne – 2014 – Understanding antimicrobial use and prescribing behaviours by pig veterinary surgeons and farmers_ a qualitative study

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Increasing awareness of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in human beings and veterinary medicine has raised concerns over the issue of overuse of antimicrobials. Their use in food-producing animals is being challenged because of the perceived risk from the transfer of resistant pathogens from animals to human beings. This study used focus groups to explore the drivers and motivators behind antimicrobial use and prescribing by veterinary surgeons and farmers in the pig industry in the UK. Studies of two veterinary and four farmer focus groups were undertaken, each with between three and six participants, in three regions of high pig density in England. Certain themes, both within and across, the veterinary and farmer focus groups were identified. Veterinary opinion was such that ‘external pressures’, such as pressure from clients, legislation and public perception, were influenced prescribing behaviour, whereas, farmers farming systems and management to be greater drivers of antimicrobial use tendencies.

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25200432/; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.102686
Country: UK