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

336- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of antimicrobial usage patterns in 180 selected farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries (Research paper – Sarrazin – 2018)

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336 Research paper – Sarrazin – 2018 – Quantitative and qualitative analysis of antimicrobial usage patterns in 180 selected farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Objectives: Farm-level quantification of antimicrobial usage (AMU) in pig farms.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, AMU data on group treatments administered to a single batch of fattening pigs from birth to slaughter (group treatment data) and antimicrobials purchased during 1 year (purchase data) were collected at 180 pig farms in nine European countries. AMU was quantified using treatment incidence (TI) based on defined (DDDvet) and used (UDDvet) daily doses and defined (DCDvet) and used (UCDvet) course doses.
Results: The majority of antimicrobial group treatments were administered to weaners (69.5% of total TIDDDvet) followed by sucklers (22.5% of total TIDDDvet). AMU varied considerably between farms with a median TIDDDvet of 9.2 and 7.1 for a standardized rearing period of 200 days based on group treatment and purchase data, respectively. In general, UDDvet and UCDvet were higher than DDDvet and DCDvet, respectively, suggesting that either the defined doses were set too low or that group treatments were often dosed too high and/or administered for too long. Extended-spectrum penicillins (31.2%) and polymyxins (24.7%) were the active substances most often used in group treatments, with the majority administered through feed or water (82%). Higher AMU at a young age was associated with higher use in older pigs.
Conclusions: Collecting farm-level AMU data of good quality is challenging and results differ based on how data are collected (group treatment data versus purchase data) and reported (defined versus used daily and course doses).

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30544242/; https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dky503
Country: BE, BG, DK, FR, DE, IT, PL, ES, NL

335 – Selectively drying off of dairy cows impact on future performance and antimicrobial consumption (Research report – Lipkens – 2019)

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335 Research report – Lipkens – 2019 – Selectively drying off of dairy cows impact on future performance and antimicrobial consumption

Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals; Targeted use of antibiotics; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Test-day somatic cell counts (SCC) before drying off and after calving were used to determine cow’s udder health across the dry period and to study the impact on the performance in the next lactation. Test-day data before drying off were explored to evaluate their diagnostic ability to detect noninfected cows at the time of drying off in 15 commercial dairy herds with an adequate udder health management. We confirmed that SCC information via milk recording is capable of predicting the absence of IMI with major pathogens at dry-off, yet (an estimate of) the herd prevalence of subclinical mastitis, the cow’s milk yield and parity impact the estimates of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values to some extent. We concluded that implementing selective dry cow treatment to reduce the antimicrobial use on commercial dairy herds, using strict selection criteria and test-day information, is possible without jeopardizing udder health or milk yield.

Where to find the original material: https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8613317;
Country: BE

334- Reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in colostrum_ Development and validation of 2 methods (Research paper – Verhegghe – 2017)

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334 Research paper – Verhegghe – 2017 – Reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in colostrum_ Development and validation of 2 methods one based on curdling and one based on ce

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to develop and validate 2 protocols (for use on-farm and at a central location) for the reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) in colostrum while preserving beneficial immunoglobulins (IgG). The on-farm protocol was based on curdling of the colostrum, where the IgG remain in the whey and the MAP bacteria are trapped in the curd. The semi-industrial protocol was based on centrifugation, which causes MAP to precipitate, while the IgG remain in the supernatant. The effect of the colostrum treatment on the nutritional value and palatability of the colostrum and the IgG transfer was assessed in calves. The treated colostrum had no negative impact on animal health, IgG uptake in the blood serum, milk, or forage uptake. Two protocols to reduce MAP in colostrum (for use on-farm or at a central location) were developed and both methods preserve the vital IgG.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030217302436; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12355
Country: BE

333- Preliminary study of the effect of sow washing as performed on the farm on livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin status of the sow’s skin or nares (Research paper – Verhegghe – 2013)

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333 Research paper – Verhegghe – 2013 – Preliminary study of the effect of sow washing as performed on the farm on livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin stat

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; Animal
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Washing sows on four Belgian pig farms positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) had no significant effect on MRSA status of the sow’s skin or nares. In 64% of cases, the same strain was detected before and after washing.

Where to find the original material: https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v21n6/v21n6p313.html;
Country: BE

332- Danish Stable Schools for Experiential Common Learning in Groups of Organic Dairy Farmers (Research paper – Vaarst – 2007)

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332 Research paper – Vaarst – 2007 – Danish Stable Schools for Experiential Common Learning in Groups of Organic Dairy Farmers

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
The farmer field school (FFS) is a concept for farmers’ learning, knowledge exchange, and empowerment. In Denmark, a research project focusing on explicit nonantibiotic strategies involves farmers who have actively expressed an interest in phasing out antibiotics from their herds through promotion of animal health. An FFS approach was adapted to Danish conditions and named “stable schools.” A facilitator was connected to each group whose role was to write the meeting agenda together with the host farmer, direct the meeting, and write the minutes to send to the group members after the meeting. Complex farming situations were the focus of all groups and in this context, problems were identified and solutions proposed based on each farmer’s individual goals. In this article, we describe the experiences of 4 stable school groups (each comprising farmers and a facilitator), and the process of building a concept suitable for Danish organic dairy farming.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030207717526; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-607
Country: DK

331- Social influences on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows (Research paper – Swinkels – 2015)

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331 Research paper – Swinkels – 2015 – Social influences on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to explore the social factors influencing farmers’ decision-making on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis. Extended treatment is perceived as part of the social norm of “being a good farmer.” The participants’ perception was that mastitis is not treated “thoroughly” if clinical symptoms were still visible at the time of cessation of treatment. Groups with whom the farmer identifies and regularly communicates face to face, such as other farmers, the herd veterinarian, and other farm advisors, confirm the farmer’s judgment on extending treatment and influences him or her toward socially accepted behavior. Legislation may reduce antibiotic usage, if doable and controllable. Evidence-based information on treatment efficacy or practical on-farm decision support indicating when to end treatment may be able to change social norms of “thorough” treatment, especially when communicated by a group such as veterinarians.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030215000879; http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8488
Country: NL; DE