Aspects of heifer management which limit productivity on dairy farms in Western Australia: a survey

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 833 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Hough ◽  
GJ Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Age At First Calving ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Supplementary Feed

In 1989, a survey of 53 producers from the major dairy areas of the south-west of Western Australia was conducted to determine current management practices for dairy heifers and to identify of areas of heifer management which could be improved to increase overall farm productivity. Total farm size averaged 220 ha, with an average market milk quota of 699 L/day (50% of total milk produced). One-third of producers described their farm activity as dairying only. Some 116 calves were born per farm, with a year-round calving distribution. Calves were fed 5.4 L whole milk/day, with an average age at weaning of 13 weeks (range 5-26 weeks). Mortality recorded to 3 months of age was 4% and the most important health problem associated with calf rearing was scours. Of those properties with a health problem, 25% used antibiotics on a regular basis. All producers provided supplementary feed pre-weaning. In the period between weaning and mating, more than half the producers ran heifers on paddocks 3-80 km distant from the main farm, with hay the most common form of supplementary feed. Most dairy heifers were naturally mated to Hereford, Friesian, or Angus sires; hence, few heifers from first calvers were kept as dairy replacements. Average age at first calving was reported to be 30 months, with 1 in 9 heifers culled post-calving, generally for low milk production. The survey highlighted several aspects of heifer management with the potential to improve overall productivity of dairy farms in Western Australia. They include earlier weaning, strategic use of antibiotics to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, greater use of artificial insemination, and a reduction in age at first calving.

scholarly journals Assessment of Influential Factors for Scours Associated with Cryptosporidium sp., Rotavirus and Coronavirus in Calves from Argentinean Dairy Farms

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2652
Author(s):  
Emiliano Bertoni ◽  
Adrián A. Barragán ◽  
Marina Bok ◽  
Celina Vega ◽  
Marcela Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Logistic Regression Models

Scours is the most common disease in dairy calves, and it is a multifactorial syndrome complex. Cryptosporidium sp. (C. sp.), rotavirus group A (RVA), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are the three main pathogens associated with scours. The objective of this study was to identify potential factors associated with scours, C. sp., RVA, and BCoV infections in preweaned dairy calves from Lerma Valley in Salta Province, Argentina. A total of 488 preweaned calves from 19 dairy farms located in the Lerma Valley were enrolled in this observational study. One fecal sample was collected from each calf between one week and two months of age for assessment of C. sp., RVA, and BCoV infection status. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and RVA and BCoV antigens in fecal samples were assessed using microscopic observation and indirect enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (iELISA), respectively. A voluntary questionnaire was developed and used to collect data regarding management practices from the participants’ farms. The data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Scours incidence was 35.4%, and a greater proportion of calves younger than 20 days were affected. Of the fecal samples, 18% and 9.5% tested were positives for C. sp. and RVA, respectively, while BCoV was detected only in two calves. Furthermore, 84.2% and 63.1% of the farms tested positive for Cryptosporidium sp. and RVA, respectively. In addition, the following variables were associated with higher odds of having scours: (1) herd size (>300 milking cows; OR = 1.7), (2) calf age (<20 days of age; OR = 2.2), (3) RVA and C. sp. test (positive test; RVA OR = 2.6; C. sp. OR = 3), calf feeding practices (feeding milk replacer; OR = 1.81), and newborn calf management practices (calf moved from maternity pen <6 h after calving; OR = 1.7). Concerning RVA infection, calves less than 20 days of age (OR = 2.6) had a higher chance of testing positive for RVA, while calves that remained in the calving pen for less than 6 h after calving had a lower chance (OR = 0.3). On the other hand, for C. sp. infection, large farm size (>300 milking cows; OR = 1.2) and young calf age (<20 days of age; OR = 4.4) indicated a higher chance of testing positive for C. sp., while calves belonging to farms that fed frozen colostrum (OR = 0.2) had a lower chance of becoming infected with C. sp. The result of this study indicated that scours is a prevalent disease in farms of the Lerma Valley, Salta, Argentina, and that RVA and C. sp. infections, along with specific farm management practices, might be important contributing factors that could increase the chance of NCS in dairy farms.

Management practices associated with high mortality among preweaned dairy heifers

1997 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLARD C. LOSINGER ◽  
A. JUD HEINRICHS
Keyword(s):  
High Mortality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Operation Analysis ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
High Death ◽  
Dairy Heifer ◽  
Operation Characteristics

In a national survey of US dairy operations, 1685 dairy operations reported 47057 new dairy heifers (either births or acquisitions) and 4427 deaths (9·4%) of preweaned dairy heifer calves over a 3 month period. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify management practices associated with high mortality among preweaned heifers in dairy operations where at least three dairy heifer calves were born alive or moved on to the operation. Analysis was done twice: once by separating all operations by size into high or low mortality; again using only operations with <2 and >10% mortality to eliminate dairy operations with intermediate levels of mortality from the comparisons. Results were similar. Dairy operations in the West were more likely to fall in the high mortality category than dairy operations in the rest of the country. In addition, the following dairy operation characteristics were associated with high death levels in both models: rolling herd average milk production <7710 kg, preweaned heifers placed in groups of seven or more, a male having primary responsibility for the care and feeding of preweaned heifers, calves not receiving hay or other roughages until >20 d old, calves fed on mastitic or antibiotic milk after colostrum and calves not given whole milk after colostrum.

scholarly journals Socio-economic profile of duck farmers and duck management practices in Rajshahi region

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-105
Author(s):  
MB Alam ◽  
ABMS Uddin ◽  
MAZH Bablu ◽  
MHK Kamaly ◽  
MM Rahaman
Keyword(s):  
Family Size ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Village Doctor ◽  
Vaccination Program ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Annual Income ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Economic Profile ◽  
Supplementary Feed

The present study was conducted to determine the socio-economic profiles of the duck farmers and to investigate the management practices of duck farming and to identify the problems of duck farming in two upazilas of Rajshahi district namely: Bagmara and Tanore during the period from April to May 2012 by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Socio-economic profile of the duck farmers like age, education, family size, occupation, marital  status, farm size, training received, annual income and management practices particularly housing, feeding, breeding, cleaning, disposal of diseased/dead birds, vaccination program, veterinary services followed by the farmers were investigated during the research. A total of 100 duck (50 from each upazila) were selected randomly for this study. The results reveal that most of the respondent farmers were young (60%) having secondary level of education (69%). Family size of the most of the farmers (57%) were small (size 4.53 persons) and majority of the farmers (75%) were marginal (0.021-020 hectare). Most of the farmers were medium income group (57%) with mean annual income of Tk. 200500. About 42% farmers had training on farming of different duration (7 to 30 d). Highest proportion of the duck houses were made of tin-shed (74%) having necessary floor space for ducks. The data obtained illustrated that majority of the farmers (74%) used sufficient supplementary feed to their ducks. About 65% of the farmers reared Deshi ducks in their farms. Most of the farmers (70%) cleaned their farm houses regularly. About 73% farmers separated their diseased duck from healthy ones. It was also found that most of the farmers (89%) buried their dead ducks under soil. Data indicated that majority of the farmers (67%) had partial idea about duck diseases. The highest proportion of the farmers (72%) followed vaccination program strictly. About 71% farmers consulted with village doctor. Nearly 51% farmers had low level of knowledge about duck farming. In the present study 10 problems were identified out of which low price of duck meat and egg made ranked as most serious problems. If the problems are addressed properly, the duck raising could be more profitable business in Bangladesh.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2.14124Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 96-105

scholarly journals Prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance among Escherichia coli isolated from Zambian dairy cattle across different production systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mainda ◽  
Paul R. Bessell ◽  
John B. Muma ◽  
Sean P. McAteer ◽  
Margo E. Chase-Topping ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
E Coli

Abstract This study focused on the use of antibiotics on small, medium and commercial-sized dairy farms in the central region of Zambia and its relationship to antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli. A stratified random sample of 104 farms was studied, representing approximately 20% of all dairy farms in the region. On each farm, faecal samples were collected from a random sample of animals and a standardised questionnaire on the usage of antibiotics was completed. An E. coli isolate was obtained from 98.67% (371/376) of the sampled animals and tested for resistance to six classes of antibiotics. The estimated prevalence of resistance across the different farming systems was: tetracycline (10.61; 95%CI: 7.40–13.82), ampicillin (6.02; 95%CI: 3.31–8.73), sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim (4.49; 95%CI: 2.42–6.56), cefpodoxime (1.91; 95%CI: 0.46–3.36), gentamicin (0.89; 95%CI: 0.06–1.84) and ciprofloxacin (0%). Univariate analyses indicated certain diseases, exotic breeds, location, farm size and certain management practices as risk factors for detection of resistance, whereas multivariate analyses showed an association with lumpy skin disease and a protective effect for older animals (>25 months). This study has provided novel insights into the drivers of antibiotic use and their association with antibiotic resistance in an under-studied region of Southern Africa.

scholarly journals Pre-Weaned Calf Rearing on Northern Irish Dairy Farms: Part 1. A Description of Calf Management and Housing Design

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1954
Author(s):  
Aaron J Brown ◽  
Gillian Scoley ◽  
Niamh O’Connell ◽  
Jamie Robertson ◽  
Amanda Browne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
And Performance

The first few months of life are of great importance to the longevity and lifetime performance of dairy cows. The nutrition, environment and healthcare management of heifer calves must be sufficient to minimise exposure to stress and disease and enable them to perform to their genetic potential. Lack of reporting of farm management practices in Northern Ireland (NI) makes it difficult to understand where issues impacting health, welfare and performance may occur in the rearing process. The objective of this study was to investigate housing design and management practices of calves on 66 dairy farms across NI over a 3-month period and also identify areas that may cause high risk of poor health and performance in dairy calves. An initial survey was used to detail housing and management practices, with two subsequent visits to each farm used to collect animal and housing-based measurements linked to hygiene management, animal health and performance. Large variations in key elements such as weaning criteria and method, calf grouping method used, nutritional feed plane, and routine hygiene management were identified. The specification of housing, in particular ventilation and stocking density, was highlighted as a potential limiting factor for calf health and performance. Lack of measurement of nutritional inputs, hygiene management practices and calf performance was observed. This poses a risk to farmers’ ability to ensure the effectiveness of key management strategies and recognise poor calf performance and health.

Reply to: Obesity is an important health problem in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 2057-2057
Author(s):  
Susan J. Lindemulder ◽  
Linda C. Stork ◽  
Xiaomin Lu ◽  
Stephen Hunger ◽  
Joseph P. Neglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Important Health

Factors influencing Midwestern grain farmers’ use of risk management tools

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-203
Author(s):  
Brian K. Coffey ◽  
Ted C. Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinomial Logit Regression ◽  
Decision Choices ◽  
Grain Farmers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between grain farm and farmer profiles and their respective choices to use forward pricing techniques and revenue protection crop insurance to manage risk.Design/methodology/approachAn e-mail survey of Midwestern grain farmers elicited farmer demographic information, farm profile, risk attitudes and farmer use of forward pricing and revenue protection insurance. Responses regarding use of risk management tools were compiled as choices to use possible bundles of tools to account for simultaneous nature of the decision. Choices to use bundles of tools were used as the independent variable categories in a multinomial logit regression. Regressors were relevant data collected from the survey.FindingsFarm size, using a market advisory service, and being a technology adopter are the most important factors in predicting risk management tool use by grain farmers. Farmers tend to use forward pricing and revenue protection insurance in combination. Large farms are more likely to use forward pricing tools.Practical implicationsResults provide researchers, extension professionals and risk management specialists with a current understanding of how farm and farmer characteristics relate to use of risk management tools. The authors also elaborate on findings to provide guidance for future risk management research.Originality/valueThe survey covered 9 Midwestern states and 648 grain farmers. The survey results update understanding of grain farmers’ risk management practices. The empirical approach treats risk management decisions to use available tools as simultaneous, which recent literature suggests is more appropriate than earlier approaches.

scholarly journals A correlation of hysterolaparoscopic findings and BACTEC culture in infertility

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesweta Guru ◽  
Prasad Yeshwant Deshmukh
Keyword(s):  
Health Problem ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Genital Tuberculosis ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Dilatation And Curettage ◽  
Important Health ◽  
To Come ◽  
Sensitive Method

Background: Infertility is agonising condition. Tuberculosis is an important health problem worldwide. One third of the world’s population is currently affected with tuberculosis. Hysterolaparoscopy is a well-recognized procedure for the diagnosis of infertility. Culture for TB bacilli is the gold standard for diagnosis of genital TB.Methods: Infertile women undergoing dilatation and curettage with hysterolaparoscopy with normal husband semen analysis as a part of their infertility workup at M. G. M. Medical Hospital, Kalamboli. Sample size: 30.Results: Incidence of GTB=22.85%, 25-29 year followed by 35-40 years’ age group was the most common age group was observed. In our study, 74.3% infertility pattern was primary, 25.7% were secondary only 2.85 % (n =1) of the cases of GTB were diagnosed by using TB BACTEC. Laparoscopic findings su0ggested that 18 cases had normal findings and 8 cases had laparoscopic features suggestive of GTB. On chromo pertubation, delayed and absent spillage of the dye was seen in 2 cases. On Hysteroscopy, 29 cases (82.9%) of the patients had normal findings and 3 cases had Hysteroscopic features suggestive of GTB.Conclusions: Genital tuberculosis remains an important under diagnosed cause of infertility. Though culture is considered as gold standard for diagnosis of genital tuberculosis, since GTB is paucibacillary there is an urgent need for more research to come to conclusion whether culture is still gold standard. Further research is required to detect the most sensitive method for diagnosis.

The Survival of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Over Winter in Western Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 977-987
Author(s):  
Touhidur Rahman ◽  
Sonya Broughton
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Mild Winter

Abstract The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most economically important pest insects of fruit crops worldwide. Mediterranean fruit fly can cause up to 100% crop loss in susceptible fruit. In order to formulate best management practices, it is critical to understand how Mediterranean fruit fly overwinters in a given geographical location and bridge the gap between autumn and spring populations. In this study, we evaluated the overwintering potential of Mediterranean fruit fly immature and adult stages in two locations in Perth Hills, Western Australia. We also monitored wild adult Mediterranean fruit fly populations for 2 yr. Adults were present year-round with captures very low in winter to early spring relative to summer and autumn. Field experiments revealed that immature stages in apples (eggs/first instar) and soil (pupae) remained viable in winter, emerging as adults at the onset of warmer weather in spring. In field cages, adults survived 72–110 d, and female laid viable eggs when offered citrus fruit, though only 1–6% eggs survived to emerge as adults. Adults survived longer in field cages when offered live citrus branch. The findings suggest that all Mediterranean fruit fly life stages can survive through mild winter, and surviving adults, eggs in the fruit and/or pupae in the soil are the sources of new population that affect the deciduous fruit crops in Perth. We recommend that Mediterranean fruit fly monitoring is required year-round and control strategies be deployed in spring. Furthermore, we recommend removal of fallen fruit particularly apple and other winter fruit such as citrus.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of 40 Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Humans and Food in Brazil: TABLE 1 

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Almeida ◽  
Marta Inês Cazentini Medeiros ◽  
Dália Prazeres Rodrigues ◽  
Justin Payne ◽  
Ruth E. Timme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Important Health

Salmonellosis is an important health problem worldwide and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of the most common isolated serovars. Here, we reported the draft genomes of 40 S . Typhimurium strains isolated from humans and food in Brazil. These draft genomes will improve phylogenetic analysis and will help enhance our understanding of strains of this serovar isolated in Brazil.

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