Genomic selection

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Genomic selection is a modern tool used in animal breeding, based on information from tens of thousands of markers associated with genes that influence animal production. The advantage of using the study of DNA or genetic markers is that it is possible to know if an animal has genes in its genome that influence the development of a certain characteristic important for the production or health of the animal. Thus, it is possible to obtain: a significant increase in the selection intensity and of the selection precision; significant decrease in the value of the intergenerational interval, doubling the genetic progress that can be achieved with each generation.

Genomic selection can help breeders identify individuals with higher breeding values as early as possible. Genomic selection or molecular marker-assisted selection also helps us to quickly eliminate pathogenic genes or those that negatively influence economically important traits from the population.

Selection assisted by molecular markers also has the advantage of facilitating the very rapid introduction of an important gene or group of genes into the genome of a population, a procedure called gene introgression in the population, achievable in a maximum of 2-3 generations. An example of the use of introgression may be the bringing of the gene responsible for resistance to certain diseases from a natural donor breed to a breed with very good production.

Step-by-step plan for chemical disinfection of drinking water pipes

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Safe drinking water is essential for healthy animals. Contaminated water can quickly lead to health problems and thus increase the need for antibiotic treatments. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the drinking water and pipes. Reduction of the bacteriological load of the water is often achieved by a treatment with a disinfectant such as chlorine or peroxide (= chemical disinfection). When choosing the product and dosage, several factors must be taken into account: the contamination at the source, any additives, vaccines or medication that will be administered via the water, the presence of biofilm or lime scale … Therefore it is highly recommended to discuss with your vet or advisor which treatment is appropriate for your situation., An effective chemical disinfection of your drinking water system can be obtained with the following step-by-step plan (note, only perform in between production rounds!):

1. Open the pipes and drinking nipples.
2. Add the prescribed dilution (depending on the product) to the drinking water system by means of a dosing pump.
3. Measure the water at the end of the pipes with the test strip supplied to check whether there is sufficient product in the entire system.
4. Close the pipes and drinking nipples and let the product take effect. The contact time depends on the product used.
5. Open the pipe and nipple drinkers and flush abundantly with water.
6. Check if the drinking nipples are functioning properly before new animals are allowed into the stable.
7. Check again with a test strip at the end of the line whether all remaining product has been removed.

Management in batches in pigs

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With the development and professionalization of the pig sector, it is necessary to work with homogeneous production groups and for this purpose the reproductive management in batches has some interesting advantages from the point of view of personnel management and work organization, but it also has health and biosecurity advantages.

Sow farms can select from several different options to form their production batches, in a weekly group or choose every 2, 3, 4, or even every 5 weeks.

– Health benefits: one of the main positive points when changing a farm to batch management is the health improvement it brings. This management in groups of piglets separated several weeks in their birth, usually allows us to make a much stricter management when not mixing ages-lots, so the transmission of pathogens between groups of animals of different ages is minimized. Depending on the design of the farm, we will be able to prevent a production batch from coming into contact, at any time, with its “siblings” in the anterior and posterior batch, so the spread of pathogens is further minimized.

– Biosecurity benefits: Concentrating tasks in specific weeks can help us to improve the biosecurity of our farm. As an example, instead of having weekly loads of piglets, we will have a monthly load, which reduces the risk of introduction of pathologies through transport. All this will help us to concentrate more efforts to avoid the external entrance of agents in the precise moments in which we have the risk.

99 The importance of databases to manage the phenomenon of resistance to antimicrobials for veterinary use (Research paper; Moruzi, 2019)

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99 Research paper – Moruzi – 2019 – The importance of databases to manage the phenomenon of resistance to antimicrobials for veterinary use

99 Research paper
The importance of databases to manage the phenomenon of resistance to antimicrobials for veterinary use by Moruzi, R.F.; Tîrziu, E.; Muselin, F.; Dumitrescu, E.; Huțu, I.; Mircu, C.; Tulcan, C.; Doma, A.O.; Degi, J.; Degi, D. M.; Boboc, M. G.; Chirilă, A. B.; Iancu, I.; Bărăităreanu, S. and R.T. Cristina
2019 Revista Română de Medicină Veterinară 29: 40-57
in Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Summary: This article presents the most important organizations and institutes responsible for monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic consumption in humans and animals. In both the human health and veterinary sector, databases and surveillance systems are becoming more complex but also more complete, as a result of recently made extensive studies on AMR. This paper presents an aggregated database that includes all the sources mentioned and books. This report also presents data on extent and implications of the AMR, and on the importance of databases and monitoring of AMR. Finally, the relations between monitoring organization which are involved in the global fight against AMR are also reviewed.
99 Research paper – Moruzi – 2019 – The importance of databases to manage the phenomenon of resistance to antimicrobials for veterinary use
Where to find the original material:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338556216_The_importance_of_databases_to_manage_the_phenomenon_of_resistance_to_antimicrobials_for_veterinary_usehttp://agmv.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/40_57_Moruzi_RT-Cristina_18_compressed.pdf;
Country: RO

98 Drivers, dynamics and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in animal production (Research report; Wall et al., 2016)

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98 Research report – Wall – 2016 – Drivers, dynamics and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in animal production

98 Research report
Drivers, dynamics and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in animal production by Wall, B.A., Mateus, A.L.P., Marshall, L., Pfeiffer, D.U., Lubroth, J., Ormel, H.J., Otto, P. and A. Patriarchi
2016 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations : 68p.
in Significant Impact Group(s): Other
Species targeted: Pigs;Poultry;Dairy;Beef;Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary: The use of antimicrobial drugs leads to a relative increase in resistant bacteria, even though antimicrobial resistance is an old and naturally occurring phenomenon in bacteria. In intensive livestock production systems, resistant bacteria can spread easily between animals and this can be made worse if biosecurity is inadequate. Food is likely to be quantitatively the most important source of transmission from livestock to humans, although there is no direct link between rise of antimicrobial resistance in humans in relation to food consumption. In order to build successful solutions to the problem of antimicrobial resistance, is essential to understand what drives the spread of AMR in animal production.
The effect of extensive and organic farming systems and antimicrobial use on the rise and spread of AMR are discussed. However it is still not clear how sustainable agriculture systems can help fight AMR.
It is now accepted that increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria affecting humans and animals in recent decades is primarily influenced by an increase in usage of antimicrobials for a variety of purposes, including therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses in animal production. Antimicrobial resistance is an ancient and naturally occurring phenomenon in bacteria. But the use of antimicrobial drugs – in health care, agriculture or industrial settings – exerts a selection pressure which can favour the survival of resistant strains (or genes) over susceptible ones, leading to a relative increase in resistant bacteria within microbial communities.
In intensive livestock production systems, resistant bacteria can spread easily between animals and this can be exacerbated if biosecurity is inadequate.
In aquaculture, AMR can develop in aquatic and fish gut bacteria as a result of antimicrobial therapy or contamination of the aquatic environment with human or animal waste. The extent and persistence of antimicrobial residues in aquatic systems is unknown and current evidence is conflicting.
Food is likely to be quantitatively the most important potential transmission pathway from livestock to humans, although direct evidence linking AMR emergence in humans to food consumption is lacking.
An improved understanding of the epidemiology of AMR emergence and spread in animal production will provide an essential foundation for successful mitigation strategies.
The relationships between different types of farming systems and both AMU and the emergence and spread of AMR are discussed in this paper, including extensive and organic systems, but there is still a notable lack of knowledge on the role that sustainable agriculture systems can play in combatting AMR.
Most importantly, future research needs to involve an interdisciplinary (e.g. One Health) approach, integrating agricultural, medical, environmental and social sciences, and especially recognizing the importance of human behaviour. A set of specific recommendations to fill current knowledge gaps is presented in the final section of this technical paper.
98 Research report – Wall – 2016 – Drivers, dynamics and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in animal production
Where to find the original material:
https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=XF2017002096;
Country: UK, IT

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

95 DANMAP by DANMAP (Farm Innovation)

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95 Farm Innovation – DANMAP by DANMAP

95 Farm Innovation
DANMAP by DANMAP
in Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: This comprehensive report (152 pages) is issued by DANMAP, the Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Programme. It presents the results of monitoring the antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in food animals, food and humans in 2017. The report summarizes the result of susceptibility testing of isolates obtained by hospitals, general practice, veterinary practice and the National Food and Veterinary Authority, as well as records of types and amount of antimicrobials prescribed by amongst others veterinarians. Chapters are ‘Total antimicrobial consumption in animals’ and ‘Antimicrobial consumption by animal species’.
95 Farm Innovation – DANMAP by DANMAP
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.danmap.org/-/media/arkiv/projekt-sites/danmap/danmap-reports/danmap-2017/danmap2017.pdf?la=en;
Country: DK

Step-by-step plan for water sampling

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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.

Step-by-step plan for the acidification of drinking water

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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

Aim for zero antibiotics by 3 step approach

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Every year 700000 people die because of antimicrobial cross resistance. By 2050 the number will be multiplied by ten. Every 45 seconds someone dies because of antimicrobial cross resistance. By 2050 every 3 second someone will die.

It is clear that we have to aim for minimal – preferentially zero – use of antibiotics. Farmers can aim for use of zero antibiotics via a simple 3-step approach.

The first step deals with using a benchmark tool. Different examples are available such as undependent ones like Biocheck or commercial ones as shown in current video. Based on the outcomes of the benchmark tool, your veterinarian or coach at the farmer site can advise you on possible strategies to reduce antibiotics and subsequent antibiotic resistance. Finally, next to management and veterinarian solutions, your adviser can advise plenty of feed solutions together with nutritionists for alternative intervention at the different levels of the animal in order to secure animal health and performance.

Farmers across the globe are very satisfied with such simple 3-step approach as witnessed in the video.