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403 – Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli APEC in chickens (Research paper – Berghof – 2019)

Oct 2021/in Breeding for Resilience, Database record, Netherlands, Poultry, Research report/paper /by GeorgetaANGST

403 Research paper – Berghof – 2019 – Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli APEC in chickens

Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in chickens by Berghof, T.V.L., Matthijs, M.G.R., Arts, J.A.J., Bovenhuis H., Dwars, R.M., J.J. van der Poel, Visker, M.H.P.W., and H.K. Parmentier 2019 Developmental and Comparative Immunology 93: 45-57
In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Chickens bred for higher levels of ‘natural antibodies’ have a better Escherichia coli disease resistance, researcher of Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University report. Breeding chickens for an improved general disease resistance is thereby a step closer. This can ultimately result in reduced antibiotics use and improved welfare for animals. Animals have so-called ‘natural antibodies’, which are a part of the immune system. Natural antibodies recognize pathogens in healthy animals, without (a previous) exposure of the animal to this pathogen. The antibodies slow down and prevent spreading of the pathogen from in the body. In addition, they warn and activate other parts of the immune system.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145305X18304816; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.007
Country: NL

Hoof trimming in dairy cows

Oct 2021/in Biosecurity, Cattle, Disease Prevention /by ACTA

Diseases of the hoof affect the welfare of the animal and require expensive treatments, with negative effects on milk production and reproductive activity. Studies conducted worldwide estimate that the prevalence of laminitis is between 20 and 30%. The dairy cow is expected to produce large amounts of milk, often leading to combined problems of the udder and hooves. The pressure on the cow’s body to produce milk determines a metabolic stress that decrease her immunity.

The main causes of diseases of the hoof in cows are: high stocking densities in the stable; poor quality of the floor on which the cow treads, frequent changes to grouping, excessive energy and protein from the feed ration, and genetics (the problems of the hooves are inherited through breeding).

Several measures can help to prevent hoof diseases in dairy cows, such as: maintaining good hygiene in the shelters, keeping the floors of the barn clean and dry; bathing the hoof of the cows before or after leaving the milking parlour and maintaining the same bath for a period of 2-3 days; periodic trimming, at least 2-3 times a year; feeding rations which are energy and protein balanced during the transition period; reducing the frequency of modifications to the feed rations; and ensuring feeds utilise good quality fats according to nutritional requirements.

In the dry period, the concentrated feed should be reduced, or even eliminated, from the ration, and after calving the inclusion of concentrates should gradually increase. The addition of Zinc to the ration has favourable effects on the skin and the hooves. Furthermore, animal breeding should be directed towards obtaining animals with strong bones, correct statutre and resistance to hoof diseases.

Automatic feeding of Dairy Cows

Oct 2021/in Cattle, Feeding Management /by ACTA

Excessive weight loss in early lactation leads to stress and the associated problems of low fertility and increased susceptibilty to disease and lameness. Additionally binge feeding on concentrates lowers the pH in the rumen and causes metabolic disease such as acidosis which in turn reduces feed intake, increases weight loss and reduces production. Automatic feeding systems, such as the Mullerup system used at the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDC), creates consistent fresh rations mixed from three forage sources, and five straight feeds which is fed up to 16 times a day. Different rations can also be specified for each group. Feeding more frequently leads to increased dry matter intake, and increased pH in the rumen. As feeding bouts and amounts can be scheduled to leave no waste, the system increases feed palatibility and reduces waste. A consistent diet optimises the rumen microbes. Apart from the reduction in labour cost and the convenience in automation, automatic feeding increases intakes, improves body condition score, and therefore fertility and associated reduction in stress and disease. Regulating and increasing rumen pH reduces metabolic diseases, improves milk yield and constituents, thereby increasing milk income. Profit and sustainability is increased by the reduction in waste feed and increases in feed efficiency. Reducing stress by reduction of ketosis and acidosis, having a stable rumen environment leads to better animal welfare and reduced antibiotic use. The managers and staff at the SWDC cite automatic feeding as the one technology that they value the most.

Organic acid blends as reliable solution for reduction of antibiotics in piglet production

Oct 2021/in Feed Composition, Addititves and Supplements, Pigs /by ACTA

Weaning pigs is a challenging time. Piglets are always very sensitive to E. coli diarrhoea and after 10 days Streptococcus problems can arise, sometimes causing disease in the brain (meningitis) and other organs (septicaemia). This causes piglets to limp, lose their balance and tilt their head. Streptococcus requires a lot of follow-up, control and which takes a lot of time and work. In reality, farmers are continuously testing concepts available on the market, and very promising outcomes are observed when applying organic acids via the drinking water. Since some organic acids are not easy to get solubilized into water, you need dedicated formulations supported by specific emulsification technologies which enhance user convenience, efficacy and flexibility. Some convenient concepts are available on the market – such as for example Eubisol – and are applied in a 1:10 dilution ratio with water, followed by 1/1000 dilution via Dosatron. For the Eubisol case, farmers witnessed a significant decrease of use of antibiotics by 36%, and especially against Streptococcus by 60%. Farmers across the globe are very satisfied with water based solutions as witnessed in the video.

Acidification of drinking water: why and how?

Oct 2021/in Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, Water /by ACTA

In pigs and poultry, acidification of the drinking water can be a very effective tool to prevent or lower the need for antibiotics. Acidification can have multiple beneficial effects, such as improved palatability and thus water intake, improved digestion, prebiotic effect and reduction of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella). Each type of acid or acid mixture has its own specific properties. Moreover, disinfection products or other compounds present in the water can interfere or react with acids. In some cases, organic acids can cause slime formation due to growth of yeasts and fungi. Always consult your vet/advisor to discuss which acid (mixture) suits your drinking water system and water quality best. Once a suitable acid (mixture) is chosen, the correct dosage is the key to success.

How to determine the correct dosage:

1. Fill a bucket with 10l of the water to be tested.
2. Put on safety glasses and acid resistant gloves.
3. Take a disposable syringe of 10 or 20 ml and fill it with the acid (mixture) to be tested.
4. Add 5 ml of the acid (mixture) to the water and measure the pH with a pH strip or pH meter (both for sale at the pharmacy). Repeat this step until you reach the desired pH (typically around pH 4; discuss this with your vet/advisor)
5. Write down how much acid (mixture) you added to the water (= ‘x’ ml)
6. Calculate the dosage:
x millilitre of acid added to 10 litres of water =>
DOSAGE = x/10 litre of acid per 1000 litre of water
7. Repeat this procedure every time the water source or type of acid (mixture) is changed

How to take a good water sample for lab analysis?

Oct 2021/in Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, Sheep, Water /by ACTA

1. Take a bottle that is as clean as possible and rinse it several times with the water to be analysed. A number of labs also have receptacles available.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. For a sample directly from a reservoir you take a mixed sample of different subsamples. You should preferably scoop these subsamples about 30 cm below the water surface. After good mixing, the receptacle can be filled.
4. Follow the following procedure for a sample from a tap:
– To know the quality of the starting water (the source), choose a tap as close to the source as possible.
– To check the quality at the drinking points, take a sample from a tap that is as far from the source as possible.
5. Clean the tap well, preferably also with an alcohol tissue.
6. If you want to know the quality of the starting water (the source), let the tap run for some minutes. To detect problems with biofilm formation in the pipes or to check if a disinfectant works effectively, let it run only for a short time.
7. Fill the receptacle for bacteriology first, then the receptacle for chemical parameters.
8. It is important that the samples reach the lab as soon as possible. If this is not possible, make sure that the samples are kept cool (refrigerated) for storage and transportation.

Biosecurity measures on Pig Farms

Oct 2021/in Biosecurity, Pigs /by ACTA

Biosecurity is ensured on a pig farm by implementing a set of organizational and technical measures in order to prevent the introduction, persistence and spread of pathogens, as well as to protect animal and public health.
The main objective of implementing these measures is to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading diseases to, from or within:
• an animal population
• a unit, area, compartment, means of transport or any other facilities, premises or locations;

The key objectives of a biosecurity plan:

1. preventing the penetration of pathogens (exclusion of pathogens or external biosecurity)
2. reducing the penetration / spread of pathogens already existing among animals or other sections of the farm (biomanagement or internal biosecurity).
3. preventing the penetration / spread of pathogens existing in the farm to other non-infected farms / animals (e.g. biocontamination).
4. minimizing the incidence and spread of infections that impact the health of the population.

Biosecurity measures

I. Ensuring the farm perimeter:
II. The existence, operation and proper maintenance of the veterinary sanitary filter:
III. The proper maintenance of the facilities used for housing, feeding and watering animals;
IV. Feed supply;
V. Transporting live animals to and from the farm:
VI. Code of good practice and good hygiene practice
VII. Adhering to the technological principle “all-in, all-out” at the compartment/pen level.