143 Effect of administration of organic acids in drinking water on faecal shedding of E. coli performance parameters and health in nursery pigs (Research paper – De Busser, 2011)

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143 Research paper – De Busser – 2011 – Effect of administration of organic acids in drinking water on faecal shedding of E. coli performance parameters and health in nursery pigs

SIG: Water

Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
This study evaluated the effect of altering the pH of drinking water on Escherichia coli in nursery piglets under field conditions as well as their performance parameters and health. This study indicates that acidification of the drinking water to a low pH can be helpful to reduce the E. coli load in nursery pigs and may be used in herds affected with post-weaning diarrhoea. As our study was performed in one herd only, further investigations are needed to confirm the findings and to determine the effects of different pH values of the drinking water on average daily feed intake (DFI), Daily weight gain (DWG), Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and clinical parameters.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023310001140; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.04.006
Country: BE

142 Using the Biocheck UGent scoring tool in Irish farrow-to-finish pig farms_ assessing biosecurity and its relation to productive performance (Research paper – Da Costa – 2019)

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142 Research paper – da Costa – 2019 – Using the Biocheck UGen scoring tool in Irish farrow-to-finish pig farms_ assessing biosecurity and its relation to productive performance

Significant Interest Groups: Biosecurity

Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Biosecurity is one of the main factors affecting disease occurrence and antimicrobial use, and it is associated with performance in pig production. The aim of this study was to describe the biosecurity status in a cohort of Irish pig farms, and to study the impact of biosecurity on farm performance. External biosecurity score was high compared to most countries due to the characteristics of the Irish pig sector (i.e. purchasing only semen and breeding gilts on farm). The internal biosecurity score was lower and had greater variability among farms than other EU countries. Data analysis showed the biosecurity practices explained 8, 23, and 16% of variability in piglet mortality, finisher mortality, and average daily gain, respectively. Our results point out that lower performing farms need to improve practices related to the environment, region, feed, water and equipment supply, and the overall management of the different production stages.

Where to find the original material: https://rdcu.be/b40Qv; https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-018-0113-6
Country: IE; BE: ES

141 Johnes; Dairy by James Smith UK Herdwise 2018 winner (Farm Innovation)

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141 Farm Innovation – Johnes; Dairy by James Smith UK Herdwise 2018 winner

Significant Interest Groups: Pathogen management \ Eradication
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary:
For James Smith, winner of the UK’s National Milk Records 2018 Herdwise award, reducing Johnes disease burden across his 240-head organic Holstein Friesian herd in Chippenham, UK, saw Johne’s positive cows reduce from 35 per cent of the herd to 15 per cent in two years. Since June 2016, this has included the introduction of several herd management practices e.g. installation of a pasteuriser and Johne’s testing done quarterly via milk samples taken as part of the Herdwise Johne’s screening scheme. If a cow has a positive result above 60 per cent, it is culled at the end of that lactation. Cows with very high readings, often termed „super shedders‟, are culled as soon as possible. “The long-term goal is to eliminate Johne’s completely, but realistically this will take several years so it is vital we have the management strategies in place to achieve this.”

Where to find the original material: https://www.fginsight.com/vip/vip/holstein-herd-rewarded-for-johnes-control-practices-64389;
Country: UK

140 Biosecurity Practices for Dairy Operations by Texas AgriLife Extension (Tools & Checklists)

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140 ToolsChecklists – Biosecurity Practices for Dairy Operations by Texas AgriLife Extension

Significant Interest Groups: Biosecurity

Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Summary:
Biosecurity measures prevent infectious diseases from affecting a herd. By implementing general management and vaccination practices, producers protect their herds from existing diseases within a country and from possible foreign animal disease outbreaks. This US made checklist and fact sheet contains information on herd immunity, common diseases, vaccination protocols, best practice animal husbandry, key steps to take when purchasing animals, biosecurity practices and staffing. It includes helpful tick lists of what steps you can take to ensure disease does not enter, spread or multiply on your farm.

https://texashelp.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Biosecurity-Practices-For-Dairy-Operations.pdf;

Country: USA;

139 Chicken and Antibiotics – Let’s Chat About The Facts by Chicken Farmers of Canada (Industry Innovation)

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139 Industry Innovation – Chicken and Antibiotics – Let’s Chat About The Facts by Chicken Farmers of Canada

Significant Interest Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Legislation and incentives Food supply chain and markets
Species targeted: Poultry;
Summary:
There has been a lot in the news recently about antibiotic use in Canada’s food. More and more restaurants, processors, and retailers are offering more and more choices to Canadians when making their meal decisions. While antibiotics are an important part of modern human and animal medicine, it is critical that they are used RESPONSIBLY. In response, Chicken Farmers of Canada have produced this infographic which describes their antimicrobial use (AMU) strategy to demonstrate responsible use and to reduce use where possible. The Canadian chicken industry have eliminated the preventative use of Category I antibiotics in 2014 and since then, the industry is no longer permitted to use them. Now, they are analysing antimicrobial resistance data, reviewing best management practices, ensuring effective controls of antibiotic use across Canadian farms, educating stakeholders, and researching and sourcing alternative products.

Where to find the original material: https://www.chickenfarmers.ca/resources/chicken-and-antibiotics-lets-chat-about-the-facts/;
Country: CA

138 Non-human antimicrobial use surveillance in Canada (CCVO) (Industry Innovation)

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138 Industry Innovation – NON-HUMAN ANTIMICROBIAL USE SURVEILLANCE IN CANADA_ SURVEILLANCE OBJECTIVES AND OPTIONS by Canadian Council of Chief Veterinary Officers (CCVO)

Significant Interest Group: AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The Council of Chief Veterinary Officers’ (CCVO) Antimicrobial Use in Animal Agriculture Committee established an Antimicrobial Use (AMU) Surveillance Working group in October 2013. The overarching objectives of this group were to 1) review current Canadian non-human AMU surveillance programs, 2) compare these programs to AMU surveillance programs in other countries, and 3) formulate recommendations and options for non-human AMU surveillance in Canada. This work began prior to the release of Canada’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Federal Framework and Federal Action Plan. One of the key objectives identified in these documents was to establish and strengthen AMR and AMU surveillance systems in humans and animals in Canada. Though Canada has robust AMR/AMU surveillance programs, “there is no comprehensive and integrated national picture of AMR [and AMU] in human health and within the agri-food system in Canada.” This report, therefore, is pivotal as Canada prepares to advance AMU surveillance.

Where to find the original material: https://www.cahss.ca/media/uploads/cipars/documents/17-08-01_19-44/CCVO_AMUCommittee_Non-HumanAMUSurveillance_FINAL_NjgJxTA.pdf;
Country: CA

137 National Milk Producers Federation FARM program Herd Health Plan template by National Milk Producers Federation (Tools & Checklists)

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137 ToolsChecklists – National Milk Producers Federation FARM program Herd Health Plan template by National Milk Producers Federation

Main Significant Interest Group: Other

Species: Dairy

The FARM program Herd Health Plan template is a tool for comprehensive and structured discussions for managing herd health. It is based on the National Milk Producers Federation FARM program from the US, which stipulates best practice for caring for dairy cattle and protocols for achieving optimal animal health and welfare. The tool has a series of checklists to ensure all parameters and procedures are adhered to, helpful diagrams for procedures such as injection site selection and euthanasia and space for individual farmers/stock people and advisors to add in their commitment to complying with the standards.

https://nationaldairyfarm.com/farm-animal-care-version-4-0/;

Country: USA

136 On-farm biosecurity as perceived by professionals visiting Swedish farms (Research paper – Noremark, 2014)

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136 Research paper – Noremark – 2014 – On-farm biosecurity as perceived by professionals visiting Swedish farms

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy; Sheep; Other;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary:
The objectives of this study were to investigate how professionals visiting animal farms in Sweden in their daily work perceive the on-farm conditions for biosecurity, the factors that influence their own biosecurity routines and what they describe as obstacles for biosecurity. Visited pig farms had a higher proportion of biosecurity measures in place, whereas the conditions were poorer on sheep and goat farms and horse farms. Many of the reported obstacles related to the very basics of biosecurity, such as access to soap and water. Responsibility was identified to be a key issue; while some farmers expect visitors to take responsibility for keeping up biosecurity they do not provide the adequate on-farm conditions. There was a gap when it came to responsibility which needs to be clarified. Visitors need to take responsibility for avoiding spread of disease, while farmers need to assume responsibility for providing adequate conditions for on-farm biosecurity.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036743/pdf/1751-0147-56-28.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-56-28

Country: SE

135 Effectiveness of alternative measures to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production in four European countries (Research paper – Raasch, 2020)

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135 Research paper – Raasch – 2020 – Effectiveness of alternative measures to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production in four European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Specific alternatives \  AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
The reduction of antimicrobial usage (AMU) is in the focus in modern pig production. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of alternatives to reduce AMU at herd level. In a study, 68 farrow-to-finish pig herds located in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden were recruited on a voluntary basis to implement tailor-made intervention plans to reduce AMU. Alternative measures included improvement of biosecurity, vaccination, changes of feeding schemes or drinking water quality, improved pig health and welfare care as well as changes in stable climate and zootechnical measures. Following tailor-made implementation of alternative measures, a substantial reduction of AMU in pig production was achievable without jeopardizing animal health. The AMU reduction in the youngest age categories (suckling and weaned pigs) and the reduction of group treatments via feed and water was in line with the recent European Guidelines on the prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7050127/; https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-020-0145-6

Country: BE; FR; DE; SE

134 Profile of pig farms combining high performance and low (Research paper – Collineau, 2017 )

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134 Research paper – Collineau – 2017 – Profile of pig farms combining high performance and low

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Pig farmers have been advised to reduce their antimicrobial usage because of the threat of antimicrobial resistance. This study investigates the profile of ‘top-farms’, which combine both high technical performance and low antimicrobial usage. A study was conducted among 227 farrow-to-finish farms in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. Within this study, 44 top-farms were compared with the ‘regular’ farms in terms of farm characteristics, biosecurity and health status. Top-farms had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms in suckling pigs and fewer respiratory symptoms in fatteners, which could partly explain their reduced need for antimicrobials and higher performance. They also had higher biosecurity and were located in sparsely populated pig areas. However, 14 farms of the top-farms group were located in densely populated pig areas, but they had higher internal biosecurity and more extensive vaccination against respiratory pathogens. These results illustrate that it is possible to control infectious diseases with low antimicrobial usage.
134

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29051316; https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.103988

Country: CH; FR; SE; BE; DE; DK