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

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