322 – Antimicrobial Resistance on Farms – A Review Including Biosecurity and the Potential Role of Disinfectants in Resistance Selection (Research paper – Davies – 2019)

 

 

322 Research paper – Davies – 2019 – Antimicrobial Resistance on Farms_ A Review Including Biosecurity and the Potential Role of Disinfectants in Resistance Selection

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Other;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Efforts to limit antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on farms have mostly focused on control of the supply and use of antimicrobial drugs, plus husbandry measures to reduce infectious disease. In the United Kingdom and some other countries, substantial progress has been made recently against targets on agricultural antimicrobial drug use. However, resistant bacteria can persist and spread within and between premises despite declining or zero antimicrobial drug use. Reasons for this include: bacterial adaptations, horizontal transmission of genetic resistance determinants between bacteria, physical transfer of bacteria via movement (of animals, workers, and equipment), ineffective cleaning and disinfection, and co-selection of resistance to certain drugs by use of other antimicrobials, heavy metals, or biocides. Aspects of biosecurity have repeatedly been identified as risk factors for the presence of AMR on farm premises, but there are still large gaps in our understanding of the most important risk factors and the most effective interventions.

Where to find the original material: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12438; https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12438
Country: UK

318 – Perceptions circumstances and motivators that influence implementation of zoonotic control programs on cattle farms (Research paper – Ellis-Iversen – 2010)

 

 

318 Research paper – Ellis-Iversen – 2010 – Perceptions circumstances and motivators that influence implementation of zoonotic control programs on cattle farms

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The implementation of disease control programs on farms requires an act of behavioral change. Interviews were conducted with 43 farmers in England and Wales with the objective to explore the perception of responsibility for zoonotic control among cattle farmers and identifying barriers that influence the implementation of control programs. Younger farmers and/or larger herds were more likely to place financial responsibility upon the industry rather than government. In general, attitudes towards zoonotic control were positive, but approximately half the farmers showed no intent to control. The remaining farmers showed intent to control, but had not implemented any structured control program due to external barriers including lack of knowledge and both cultural and economic pressure from society and industry. Farmers with no intent to adopt control measures identified their private veterinarian as the preferred motivator, whereas consumer-demand and financial rewards or penalties were significantly associated with farmers who intended to control.

Where to find the original material: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.11.005; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.11.005
Country: UK

313 – Responsible use of antibiotics on sheep farms – Application at farm level (Research paper – Lovatt – 2019)

 

 

313 Research paper – Lovatt – 2019 – Responsible use of antibiotics on sheep farms_ application at farm level

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Veterinarian
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
This article describes how veterinary surgeons and sheep farmers can work together to plan, prevent and protect against three specific disease management issues – infectious lameness, enzootic abortion of ewes and neonatal bacterial infections – by replacing, refining and reducing the use of antibiotics on farm, based on guidelines drawn up by the UK Sheep Veterinary Society.
313

Where to find the original material: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1625428/responsible-use-of-antibiotics-on-sheep-farms-application-at-farm-level; http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/inp.k5370
Country: UK

312 – To prescribe or not to prescribe A factorial survey to explore veterinarians decision making when prescribing antimicrobials to sheep and beef farmers (Research paper – Doidge – 2019)

 

 

312 Research paper – Doidge – 2019 – To prescribe or not to prescribe A factorial survey to explore veterinarians decision making when prescribing antimicrobials to sheep and beef farmers

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Veterinarian
Species targeted: Beef; Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to measure the influence of factors from social theories on veterinarians’ decision to prescribe antimicrobials to sheep and beef farmers without a clinical consultation. Respondents were presented with eight scenarios where a farmer asks for antimicrobials at the veterinary practice. Seven further factors, identified from constructs of social theories, were included in the scenarios. The factors case type, farmer relationship, other veterinarians in practice, time pressure, habit, willingness to pay, and confidence in the farmer, were significant in the decision to prescribe. Confidence in the farmer was the most influential variable. Factors about vets that had significant influence on the decision to prescribe were agreeableness personality score, region of veterinary practice, and presence of a small animal department. These influential factors could be considered to target interventions in farm animal veterinary practice for improved antimicrobial stewardship.

Where to find the original material: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0213855; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213855
Country: UK

310 – A participatory farmer-led approach to changing practice around antimicrobial use on UK dairy farms (Research paper – Morgans – 2019)

 

 

310 Research paper – Morgans – 2019 – A participatory farmer-led approach to changing practice around antimicrobial use on UK dairy farms

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance Disease/health; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Five Farmer Action Groups (FAG) were established and followed for 2 years to understand how a participatory approach helped to achieve practical, farmer-led changes to reduce reliance on antimicrobials on their farms. Medicine Reviews, benchmarking and a co-created, practical Action Plan helped each farm to assess change in AMU. Farms implemented at least one recommendation from their Action Plan within a year with an average implementation of 54.3%. 70% of farms reduced highest priority critically important antimicrobial use over the 2 years. Knowledge exchange on herd health during the farm walks and facilitated discussions empowered farmers to change practices and a sense of solidarity arose from going through a process of change together. Knowledge gaps were identified by the farmers, particularly issues around knowledge mobilisation between veterinarians and farmers at the time of the study. The facilitators supported the knowledge mobilisation and helped build a sense of solidarity within the FAG.

Where to find the original material: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/a-participatory-farmer-led-approach-to-changing-practice-around-a;
Country: UK

306 – Ensuring optimal colostrum transfer to newborn dairy calves (Research paper – Patel – 2014)

 

 

306 Research paper – Patel – 2014 – Ensuring optimal colostrum transfer to newborn dairy calves

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Age: Young;
Summary:
This article reviews best practice recommendations for healthy calves via optimal colostrum feeding. Colostrum must be collected hygienically and fed promptly (<1h) or stored using refrigeration/potassium sorbate as preservative/freezing and/or pasteurisation. All equipment must be scrupulously cleaned. A first feed of 3-4L colostrum (approximately 10% body weight) should be fed within 2h of birth and no later than 6h of birth. This should contain >50g/L immunoglobulin (Ig). Adequate intake cannot be assumed when calves suckle their dam. Pooling of colostrum between cows increases the risk of disease transfer. Feeding with a nipple bottle promotes oesophageal groove closure but if calves fail to suck then colostrum should be fed via oesophageal tube. Calves not receiving adequate colostrum (<10g/L of IgG or <50g/L total protein on bloods) have a reduced ability to fight disease. Mortality rates and disease incidence should be monitored to detect problems early and prevent future issues.

Where to find the original material: https://www.farmantibiotics.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Ensuring-optimal-colostrum-transfer-to-newborn-dairy-calves.pdf;
Country: UK

305 – Decentring antibiotics – UK responses to the diseases of intensive pig production (Research paper – Woods – 2019)

 

 

305 Research paper – Woods – 2019 – Decentring antibiotics_ UK responses to the diseases of intensive pig production

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
It is assumed that antibiotics had a transformative effect on livestock production by making it possible to keep larger numbers of animals in smaller spaces without them succumbing to disease. This article argues that their impact has been overstated. It draws on evidence from the veterinary, farming and government literature to demonstrate the significance of other methods devised by vets, farmers etc. of reducing diseases that emerged in association with intensive production systems. These methods predated antibiotics and evolved alongside them. They understood pig diseases as highly complex interactions between pigs and their environments. Recognition of the roles played by housing, husbandry, nutrition, and pathogens in the production of pig disease suggested multiple possible points of intervention other than antibiotics. This article challenges existing claims about antibiotics role in intensive farming, and draws attention to other methods of promoting pig health, which may find renewed applications as we move towards a post-antibiotic era.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-019-0246-5#article-info; https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0246-5
Country: UK

302 – Quantifying the beliefs of key players in the UK sheep industry on the efficacy of two treatments for footrot (Research paper – Winter – 2018)

 

 

302 Research paper – Winter – 2018 – Quantifying the beliefs of key players in the UK sheep industry on the efficacy of two treatments for footrot

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
This study investigated how key players in the UK sheep industry recommended treating footrot, and tested whether reviewing the evidence surrounding treatment of footrot changed their beliefs. Eight key players attended a workshop to investigate current practice. All participants recommended use of antibiotic injection but only four recommended not foot trimming feet with footrot. During discussions, participants stated that parenteral antibiotics had always been recommended as a treatment for footrot but that the new research clarified when to use them. In contrast, it was highly novel to hear that foot trimming was detrimental to recovery. After hearing the evidence, seven of the eight would recommend avoiding foot trimming. Some key players were resistant to changing beliefs despite hearing the evidence. Three months after the workshop, three participants stated that they now placed greater emphasis on rapid individual antibiotic treatment of lame sheep and not foot trimming feet.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023318303988?via%3Dihub; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.07.009
Country: UK

301 – Footrot and interdigital dermatitis in sheep_ farmer satisfaction with current management their ideal management and sources used to adopt new strategies (Research paper – Wassink – 2010)

 

 

301 Research paper – Wassink – 2010 – Footrot and interdigital dermatitis in sheep_ farmer satisfaction with current management their ideal management and sources used to adopt new strateg

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals; Targeted use of antibiotics
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
160 UK sheep farmers were asked via questionnaire about their current management for footrot sheep and their satisfaction with it. Farmers satisfied with current management reported </= 5% lameness. Farmers reported treating lame sheep within 3 days of first seeing them lame, and those with FR/ID with parenteral antibiotics. Farmers dissatisfied with their management reported >5% lameness. These farmers practised routine foot trimming, footbathing and vaccination against footrot. Whilst 89% of farmers said they were satisfied with their management of FR, >34% were interested in changing what they did. Farmers reported that ideally they would control FR by culling/isolating lame sheep, sourcing replacements from non-lames, trimming feet less, using less antibiotics and using vaccination more. Footbathing was common, linked with dissatisfaction but also listed highly as ideal management. Some of the ideal managements aligned with best practice but others contrasted with it suggesting cognitive dissonance was present.

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20594602/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.06.002
Country: UK

299 – Sheep lameness presents a huge challenge in terms of welfare and economics (Research paper – Oliver – 2017)

 

 

299 Research paper – Oliver – 2017 – Sheep lameness presents a huge challenge in terms of welfare and economics

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals; Diagnostics
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
A study was conducted in 2008 where 809 English sheep farmers were asked to identify six foot lesions; only 20% of farmers named all six lesions correctly. This study highlights the necessity of vets in advising and educating producers about sheep lameness. Foot lameness in sheep can be attributed to infectious or non-infectious causes. The three infectious causes of lameness covered in this article are:
• Ovine interdigital dermatitis (OID), often referred to as scald. • Foot rot. • Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD). Non-infectious causes of lameness are less common and include:
• White line degeneration • Foot abscess • Toe granuloma Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential in advising on prevention, control and treatment. Often, one or more conditions are present on a farm. Lesions can be in the early or chronic phase, where they can appear grossly very different, so sufficient animals need to be examined to achieve a diagnosis.

Where to find the original material: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/sheep-lameness-common-types-causes-and-control-strategies.pdf;
Country: UK