224 Review_ New considerations to refine breeding objectives of dairy cows for increasing robustness and sustainability of grass-base (Research paper – Roche, 2018)

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224 Research paper – Roche – 2018 – Review_ New considerations to refine breeding objectives of dairy cows for increasing robustness and sustainability of grass-base

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Although food from grazed animals is increasingly sought by consumers because of perceived animal welfare advantages, grazing systems provide the farmer and the animal with unique challenges. The cow may have to walk long distances and be able to harvest feed efficiently in a highly competitive environment because of the need for high levels of pasture utilisation. She must be: highly fertile, with a requirement for pregnancy within ~80 days post-calving; ‘easy care’, because of the need for the management of large herds with limited labour; able to walk long distances; and robust to changes in feed supply and quality, so that short-term nutritional insults do not unduly influence her production and reproduction cycles. In the future, there will be greater emphasis on more difficult to measure traits that are important to the quality of life of the animal in each production system and to reduce the system’s environmental footprint.

Where to find the original material: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/38965DA690D400722B82D93510F1835C/S1751731118002471a.pdf/review_new_considerations_to_refine_breeding_objectives_of_dairy_cows_for_increasing_robustness_and_sustainability_of_grassbase
Country: NZ

223 Genetic Improvement of Livestock for Milk Production (Research paper – Kiplagat, 2012)

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223 Research paper – Kiplagat – 2012 – Genetic Improvement of Livestock for Milk Production

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
This chapter presents issues pertaining to genetic improvement of livestock for production. It covers aspects from basic population to quantitative genetics to molecular genetics, and their application in animal breeding. The use of specific gene information could help to increase rates of genetic improvement, and open opportunities for using additive and non-additive genetic effects of domestic species, provided wise improvement goals are used and this new technology is optimally used together with the so called ‘traditional’ or ‘conventional’ methods based on phenotypic and genealogical information. A rational use of the molecular methodologies in milk production genetic improvement requires the simultaneous optimization of selection on all the genes affecting important traits in the population. The maximum benefit can be obtained when these techniques are used in conjunction with reproductive technologies like artificial insemination, and collection and production in vitro of embryos to accelerate genetic change.

Where to find the original material: https://www.intechopen.com/books/milk-production-advanced-genetic-traits-cellular-mechanism-animal-management-and-health/genetic-improvement-of-livestock-for-milk-production; http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/50761
Country: KE

222 Implementing biosecurity measures on dairy farms in Ireland (Research paper – Sayers, 2013)

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222 Research paper – Sayers – 2013 – Implementing biosecurity measures on dairy farms in Ireland

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The objectives of this study were to document and describe influences on biosecurity practices and related opinions on dairy farms. Farmers in the most dairy cattle dense region were three times more likely to quarantine purchased stock than were their equivalents in regions where dairy production was less intense (P=0.012). Younger farmers in general were over twice as likely as middle-aged farmers to implement biosecurity guidelines (P=0.026). The owners of large enterprises were almost five times more likely to join a voluntary animal health scheme (P=0.003), and were over three times more likely to pay a premium price for health accredited animals (P=0.02) than were those farming small holdings. The baseline data recorded in this survey will form the basis for more detailed sociological and demographic research which will facilitate the targeting of future training of the farming community in biosecurity.

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23276712/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.11.017
Country: IE

221 Key actors in driving behavioural change in relation to on-farm biosecurity – A Northern Ireland perspective (Research paper – Lahuerta-Marin, 2018)

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221 Research paper – Lahuerta-Marin – 2018 – Key actors in driving behavioural change in relation to on-farm biosecurity_ a Northern Ireland perspective

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; People
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Agriculture and farming are valued contributors to local economy in Northern Ireland (NI). There is limited knowledge about farmers’ behaviours and attitudes towards disease biosecurity measures. As part of a larger project, a scenario-based workshop with key stakeholders was organised by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)-NI in December 2015. Participants were asked to discuss and give their opinions about a series of questions across four key areas in a semi-structured approach with an external facilitator. The discussion showed that training in biosecurity for farmers is important and necessary. Training was recommended to be provided by veterinary surgeons, preferably via a face-to-face format. The discussion addressing disease disclosure proved particularly challenging between those who were prospective buyers of cattle, and those who sold cattle. This workshop provided a unique and invaluable insight into key issues regarding farm level biosecurity activities.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6001042/; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-018-0125-1
Country: UK

220 Risk assessment as a tool for improving external biosecurity at farm level (Research paper – Sternberg Lewerin, 2015)

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220 Research paper – Sternberg Lewerin – 2015 – Risk assessment as a tool for improving external biosecurity at farm level

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Biosecurity routines at herd level may reduce the probability of introduction of disease into the herd, but some measures may be regarded as expensive and cumbersome for the farmers. The aim of the study was to provide a tool for calculating the effects of different biosecurity measures and strategies on the individual farm level in Swedish cattle and pig farms. The most important factors affecting the risk, and the effect of biosecurity measures such as quarantine routines and protective clothing, were the frequency of between-farm contacts and prevalence of the disease. The risk assessment model proved useful for illustrating the risk of introduction of endemic diseases and the mitigating effect of different biosecurity measures on farm level. Model outputs could be used to justify prioritisation of measures or adapting contact patterns.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4515931/; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0477-7
Country: SE

219 – Patterns of between-farm contacts via professionals in Sweden (Research paper – Olofsson – 2014)

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219 Research paper – Olofsson – 2014 – Patterns of between-farm contacts via professionals in Sweden

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External biosecurity
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The objective of the study was to examine the travel patterns of professionals visiting Swedish farms (veterinarians, milk tanker drivers, artificial inseminators, maintenance technicians and livestock hauliers). There were twelve participating organisations, and data was provided for one to three individuals/vehicles/veterinary practices per professional category and per geographic region (except for dairy service technicians and livestock hauliers who did not provide data from all regions). Generally, the greatest areas were travelled by milk tankers and livestock hauliers, and the profession travelling over the smallest areas tended to be the veterinarians. The results of this study indicate that in Sweden a highly contagious disease might spread over a large area in the time span of one incubation period, which ought to be kept in mind in case of an outbreak and in outbreak investigations. The difficulties in contacting some professionals visiting farms could be a problem in an outbreak situation.

Where to find the original material: https://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13028-014-0070-2#citeas; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-014-0070-2
Country: SE

218 – Network analysis of cattle and pig movements in Sweden – Measures relevant for disease control and risk based surveillance (Research paper – Noremark – 2011)

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218 Research paper – Noremark – 2011 – Network analysis of cattle and pig movements in Sweden_ measures relevant for disease control and risk based surveillance

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Registration of cattle and pig movements is mandatory in Sweden and all registered movements between farms in the years 2006-2008 were investigated. The networks were analysed as monthly and yearly networks, separately per species and with the two species together. Many farms had few or no contacts, while others had many, a pattern which has also been described from other countries. The cattle network and the combined network showed a recurring seasonal pattern, while this was not seen in the pig network. The in-degree was not equivalent to the ingoing infection chain; there were holdings with limited direct contacts, but a large number of indirect contacts. The ingoing infection chain could be a useful measure when setting up strategies for disease control and for risk based surveillance as it identifies holdings with many contacts through live animal movements and thus at potentially higher risk for introduction of contagious diseases.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587711000043?via%3Dihub; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.12.009
Country: SE

217 – Application of network analysis parameters in risk-based surveillance – Examples based on cattle trade data and bovine infections in Sweden (Research paper – Frossling – 2012)

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217 Research paper – Frossling – 2012 – Application of network analysis parameters in risk-based surveillance – Examples based on cattle trade data and bovine infections in Sweden

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Financial resources may limit the number of samples that can be collected and analysed in disease surveillance programmes. In this paper, the association between two network analysis measures, i.e. ‘in-degree’ and ‘ingoing infection chain’, and signs of infection is investigated. Results show that compared to completely random sampling these approaches increase the number of detected positives, both for BCV and BRSV in our study population. It is concluded that network measures for the relevant time period based on updated databases of animal movements can provide a simple and straight forward tool for risk-based sampling.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7114171/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.12.011
Country: SE

216 – A novel method to identify herds with an increased probability of disease introduction due to animal trade (Research paper – Frossling – 2014)

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216 Research paper – Frossling – 2014 – A novel method to identify herds with an increasedprobability of disease introduction due to animal trade

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External biosecurity
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
This paper presents a new method to assess herd disease risk in animal movement networks. It is an improvement to current network measures that takes direction, temporal order, and also movement size and probability of disease into account. In the study, the method was used to calculate a probability of disease ratio (PDR) of herds in simulated data sets, and of real herds based on animal movement data from dairy herds included in a bulk milk survey for Coxiella burnetii. The results show that the PDR is able to capture the different circumstances related to disease prevalence and animal trade contact patterns. The method shows a potential to be useful for risk-based surveillance, in the classification of herds in control programmes or to represent influential contacts in risk factor studies.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587714002487?via%3Dihub; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.07.013
Country: SE

215 SHAWG – Industry guidance document for veterinary surgeons and farmers on responsible use of antibiotics in sheep by The Sheep Health and Welfare Group SHAWG (Tools & Checklists)

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215 ToolsChecklists – SHAWG – Industry guidance document for veterinary surgeons and farmers on responsible use of antibiotics in sheep by The Sheep Health and Welfare Group SHAWG

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age:
Summary:
The SHAWG guidance document has been written to outline the key steps in ensuring veterinary surgeons and farmers work together to review and achieve responsible use of antibiotics within the sheep flock. Examination of antibiotic use in the sheep sector, identified the following three areas of concern with regards to prescribing practices for sheep. In some cases these involved whole flock prophylactic treatment for these three specific disease management areas: control of infectious lameness, prevention of enzootic abortion and treatment of lambs against neonatal bacterial infections. The primary recommendations are that, in order to replace, refine and reduce antibiotics in these target areas, vets and sheep farmers should work to plan ahead, prevent disease and protect their flocks.

Where to find the original material: http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Responsible-AMU-guidance-for-sheep_Version-1.0_June-2019.pdf;
Country: United Kingdom;