132 Application of multiblock modelling to identify key drivers for antimicrobial use in pig production in four European countries (Research paper – Collineau, 2018)

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132 Research paper – Collineau – 2018 – Application of multiblock modelling to identify key drivers for antimicrobial use in pig production in four European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Antimicrobial use in pig farming is influenced by a range of risk factors, including herd characteristics, biosecurity level, farm performance, occurrence of clinical signs and vaccination scheme, as well as farmers’ attitudes and habits towards antimicrobial use. So far, the effect of these risk factors has been explored separately. This study aimed to investigate the relative importance of all these risk factors in a sample of 207 farrow- to-finish farms from Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. The occurrence of clinical signs, especially of respiratory and nervous diseases in fatteners, was one of the largest contributing risk factors in all four countries, whereas the effect of the other risk factors differed between countries. In terms of risk management, it suggests that a holistic and country-specific mitigation strategy is likely to be more effective.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29665870; https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268818000742

Country: CH; FR; SE; DE; BE

 

128 Herd-specific interventions to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production without jeopardising technical and economic performance (Research paper – Collineau – 2017

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128 Research paper – Collineau – 2017 – Herd-specific interventions to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production without jeopardising technical and economic performance

Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: Pig farmers are strongly encouraged to reduce their antimicrobial usage in order to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Herd-level intervention is needed to achieve reduction targets. The objective of this study was to asses feasibility, effectiveness and return on investment these interventions aiming at reducing antimicrobial usage in pig production. An intervention study was conducted in 70 farrow-to-finish pig farms located in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. Following interventions, a reduction in antimicrobial use was achieved without negative impact on the technical performance. Mortality in suckling piglets, weaners and fatteners, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio did not significantly change during the study, while the number of weaned piglets per sow per year slightly increased. Median change in net farm profit was overall positive. Costs of alternative measures are therefore not a barrier, but an opportunity to optimize production practices for sustained productivity and improved animal health.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28716198; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.023

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

127 Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries (Research paper; Chantziaras, 2018)

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127 Research paper – Chantziaras – 2018 – Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Housing and welfare \ Weaning age and management; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Production diseases are often the result of interactions between many factors. The focus of this study was to identify specific environment-related factors and to discuss their associations with health, welfare and reproductive performance in sows and piglets, in diverse systems using data from 130 farms from five EU countries. Eight parameters were selected from this data, four related to sow reproductive performance (litter index, replacement rate, repeat breeding (i.e. failure to breed after one mating), weaning to first mating interval) and the remaining four to litter / piglet health performance (piglets born alive per litter, piglets born dead per litter, preweaning mortality rate and weaned piglets per litter). Data analysis showed that factors related to applying good farm and health management, and optimal housing conditions were found to have a positive effect on various sow and piglet performance parameters.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587718303908; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.006
Country: BE; DE, DK; FI; UK

126 Biosecurity and animal disease management in organic and conventional Swedish dairy herds – A questionnaire study (Research paper; Emanuelson, 2018)

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126 Research paper – Emanuelson – 2018 – Biosecurity and animal disease management in organic and conventional Swedish dairy herds_ a questionnaire study

Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
A questionnaire study on biosecurity and animal disease management activities was therefore conducted among Swedish farmers with organic and conventional dairy cattle herds. Herd characteristics of the two herd types were very similar, except that pipeline/tie-stall systems were less common in organic farms and that organic farmers had a higher education level than their conventional counterparts. Farmers of organic herds were more positive to policy actions to reduce the use and need for antibiotics, and they reported waiting longer before contacting a veterinarian for calves with diarrhoea and cows with subclinical mastitis. The results indicate that animal health is as important in conventionally managed dairy herds in Sweden as in organically managed herds.

Where to find the original material: https://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13028-018-0376-6; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-018-0376-6
Country: SE

109 A Bayesian micro-simulation to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions for mastitis control during the dry period in UK dairy herds (Research paper; Down, 2016)

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109 Research paper – Down – 2016 – A Bayesian micro-simulation to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions for mastitis control during the dry period in UK dairy herds

109 Research paper
A Bayesian micro-simulation to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions for mastitis control during the dry period in UK dairy herds
by Down, P.M., Bradley, A.J., Breen, J.E., Browne, W.J., Kypraios, T. and M.J. Green
2016 Preventive Veterinary Medicine 133: 64-72
In Significant Impact Groups: Specific alternatives \ Other Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary: It is still unknown which type of interventions will reduce the risk of getting mastitis in the dry period, particularly with regard to cost-effectiveness. This study has gathered data from 77 UK dairy farms that participated in a British mastitis control programme during 2009–2012, with most intramammary infections being acquired during the dry period. The data contained clinical mastitis (CM) and somatic cell count (SCC) records, herd management practices and details of interventions that were implemented by the farmer as part of the control plan. Interventions identified as being cost-effective in most circumstances included selecting dry-cow therapy at the cow level, dry-cow rations formulated by a qualified nutritionist, use of individual calving pens, first milking cows within 24 h of calving and spreading bedding evenly in dry-cow yards. These results can be used to optimize decision making in mastitis control.
Country: UK

97 Selective Dry Cow by Eurodairy (Farm Innovation)

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97 Farm Innovation – Selective Dry Cow by Eurodairy

97 Farm Innovation
Selective Dry Cow by Eurodairy
in Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary: This sheet describes how the Dutch dairy sector reduced the use of antibiotics in dairy farming. Between 2009 and 2016, usage decreased by 48%.
Selective drying off has made an important contribution to this reduction. Preventive use of antibiotics for drying off dairy cattle is no longer allowed. The protocol uses the somatic cell count per animal up to 6 weeks prior to drying off. If the cell count number is below 50,000 (cows) or 150,000 (heifers) per ml, no antibiotics may be used. If the cell number is higher, only a first choice antibiotic may be used in accordance with the farm health plan. The use of 2nd and 3rd choice antibiotics follows strict regulations, and is only allowed after additional testing.
The sheet also contains a farmers experience with omitting the dry off period.
97 Farm Innovation – Selective Dry Cow by Eurodairy
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://eurodairy.eu/resources/the-dutch-way-of-reducing-antibiotic-use/;
Country: NL

96 Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University (Farm Innovation)

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96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University

96 Farm Innovation
Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University
in Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements – Feed additives and supplements ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: British researchers have shown in a recently published study the beneficial effect of the addition of natural oregano essential oil in the diet of breeding sows and the beneficial results on piglets before and after weaning. “Oregano essential oil is well documented to provide support for animal health and performance due to its active compounds. Carvacrol and thymol are two such compounds and have been shown to have both antimicrobial and antioxidant functions.” support the authors of the study.
The research was carried out in a commercial pig unit in the UK and involved 62 multiparous sows. The conclusion was that the inclusion of oregano essential oil helped maintain the body condition score of suckling sows, increased weight gain during the first week of life of piglets, decreased pre-weaning mortality and significantly decreased the incidence of drug use.
96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.revista-ferma.ro/articole/zootehnie/impactul-eubioticelor-pe-baza-de-oregano-asupra-sanatatii-si-performantei-scroafelor;
Country: UK

91 Cola and vaccination by Dutch vet (Industry Innovation)

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Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals ; Feed / gut health
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): piglet diarrhoea;
Summary: In piglets, birth diarrhoea is caused by bacteria and viruses. These are E. coli bacteria, clostridium bacteria C. perfringens type A and type C and rotaviruses. According to the vet Schuttert, the effect of vaccination is usually not spectacular, because the effect also runs via the colostrum. An average sow produces enough colostrum for 12 piglets. But the average litter size is now 15 piglets. One way to improve colostrum supply is split suckling. Vet Schuttert concludes that in case of birth diarrhoea in piglets it is almost always necessary to take steps on several fronts. There is often much to gain with extra attention to hygiene. If the piglets do develop diarrhoea, it may make sense to provide the sows with acid. He usually start by advising lime and cola . Then offering water and food. And the third step is the possible application of vaccinations and / or antibiotics.
91 Industry Innovation – cola and vaccination by Dutch vet
Where to find the original material: (in Dutch)
https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2019/06/06/cola-light-niet-geschikt-voor-kraamstal;
Country: NL

91 Industry Innovation – cola and vaccination by Dutch vet

90 Calf reception by LTO calf group (Industry Innovation)

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Significant Impact Group(s): Housing and welfare \ Weaning age and management ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): lower antibiotic use; lower mortality; improved animal welfare; improved animal health; better technical results
Summary: With the ‘Calf Reception’ project, the veal calf sector (initiator is the Branch Organization for the Calf Sector (SBK)) wants to improve the reception of newborn calves on the veal calf farm. The project focuses on the management of the veal farmer during the first four weeks, including the release of the calves in groups. During this period, improvements in management can lead to lower antibiotic use and loss, better animal welfare and health, more job satisfaction and better technical results. The main target group of the project are the 1,300 veal veal farmers in the Netherlands. Group meetings and workshops are organized, but individual conversations with veal farmers and advisers are also possible. Aspects that will be discussed include a clean barn, clean feeding troughs and teats, temperature in the barn on arrival, CO2 and humidity, feeding milk.
90 Industry Innovation – Ontvangst Kalveren by LTO calf group
Where to find the original material: (in Dutch)
https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2019/03/28/vleeskalversector-start-nieuw-project;
Country: NL

90 Industry Innovation – Ontvangst Kalveren by LTO calf group

89 KalfOK by ZuivelNL (Industry Innovation)

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Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Disease/health ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): use of antibiotics; health status
Summary: CalfOK provides insight into the rearing of all calves born on the dairy farm. It stimulates to improve the health and welfare of calves. Since 2018, every dairy farmer can request the CalfOK score of his company, if the necessary authorizations have been issued via his dairy company. Figures from MediRund, I&R, Rendac and Qlip come together, from which the key figures arise. Dairy companies promote the use of KalfOK through quality and sustainability programs. CalfOK is composed of data on births and rearing, the use of antibiotics in calves and the company health status. In total there are 12 key figures each company can score a maximum of 100 points. The result provides insight into the quality of calf rearing at the individual dairy farm, and also makes a comparison with other companies possible. Dairy farmers are required to view the CalfOK score to issue authorizations through their dairy company.
89 Industry Innovation – KalfOK by ZuivelNL
Where to find the original material: (in Dutch)
https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2018/12/28/kalfok-begint-te-leven-bij-veehouders;
Country: NL

89 Industry Innovation – KalfOK by ZuivelNL