244 Time to Vaccinate_ The importance of preventive health and vaccination programmes in ruminant production by MSD Animal Health (Industry Innovation)

 

 

244 Industry Innovation – Time to Vaccinate_ The importance of preventive health and vaccination programmes in ruminant production by MSD Animal Health

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Vaccination
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Different for different species; Not stated;
Summary:
Immunity has been defined as a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products, or in simpler terms it is the power to resist infection whether innate or acquired. A strong powerful immunity is therefore crucial to maintain health in our current animal production, where multiple types of pathogens are continually challenging the health, welfare and productivity of our animals. Vaccinations play a great role in optimizing the animal’s power to resist disease. On a population basis, vaccinations have led to the eradication and control of many diseases. Vaccines are indispensable tools to prevent potentially dangerous infectious diseases and to maintain animal welfare and the productivity of animal production. Vaccine use within disease prevention and eradication programmes has optimized animal production, health and welfare, and contributed to a highly efficient production system.

Where to find the original material: https://www.farmantibiotics.org/tool_links/the-importance-of-preventive-health-and-vaccination-programmes-in-ruminant-production/;
Country: EU

243 Aspects of bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine viral diarrhoea virus herd-level seroprevalence and vaccination in dairy and beef herds in Northern Ireland (Research paper – Cowley, 2014)

 

 

243 Research paper – Cowley – 2014 – Aspects of bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine viral diarrhoea virus herd-level seroprevalence and vaccination in dairy and beef herds in Northern Ireland

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Vaccination
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Infections with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus cause diseases of cattle with a worldwide distribution. The primary objective of the present study was to describe aspects of herd-level BoHV-1 and BVDV seroprevalence (based on testing of pooled sera) and control on farms in Northern Ireland, including vaccine usage. The results from this study indicate that the true herd-level seroprevalences to bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine virus diarrhoea virus in non-vaccinating herds in Northern Northern Ireland are 77.3% (95% CI: 73.6–80.9%) and 98.4% (95% CI: 97.3–99.5%), respectively. The present study will assist in guiding regional policy development and establish a baseline against which the progress of current and future control and eradication programmes can be measured.

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25152811/; http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-67-18
Country: IE

242 Exploring Attitudes and Beliefs towards Implementing Cattle Disease Prevention and control measures (Research report – Brennan, 2016)

 

 

242 Research report – Brennan – 2016 – Exploring Attitudes and Beliefs towards Implementing Cattle Disease Prevention and control measures

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; People; Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Further understanding of why dairy farmers do not engage in disease prevention and control strategies (biosecurity) is required. Using semi-structured interviews informed by a health psychology approach with 25 dairy farmers, a number of barriers, such as disease testing inaccuracies, types of disease transmission, perceived lack of risk and effectiveness of measures, were identified. Motivators included being advised to undertake measures by veterinarians, and the increased threat and severity of the disease in focus. These results suggest there is an advantage to farm advisors and herd health professionals understanding and working with the beliefs of individual dairy farmers to target appropriate communication and advice strategies relating to biosecurity recommendations.

Where to find the original material: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/10/61; http://doi.org/10.3390/ani6100061
Country: UK;

225 Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk (Industry Innovation)

 

 

225 Industry Innovation – Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness \ Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Sheep;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
LowInputBreeds integrated breeding and management to improve animal health, product quality and performance in organic and low input milk, meat and eggs. Four technical sub-projects (SP) were evaluated for ethical, economic and environmental impact in a 5th SP, which also covered training and dissemination, including our website which lists contacts and bi-annual newsletters. By developing and integrating (a) genotypes selected for performance, robustness and product quality traits, and (b) management innovations to improve ‘low input’ systems the project made a significant contribution towards regionally-adapted breeding strategies, compatible with sustainable production, high product quality and organic principles.

Where to find the original material: https://cordis.europa.eu/docs/results/222/222623/final1-lib-publishable-summary-pdf.pdf;
Country: UK

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

 

 

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)

 

 

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)

 

 

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)

 

 

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)

 

 

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)

 

 

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