scholarly journals Impact of animal health management on organic pig farming in Greece

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.G. Papatsiros
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
Gastrointestinal Problems ◽  
Pig Farms

In Greece, organic pig farming started in 2002 and since then made significant steps forward due to the extended interesting of Greek consumer for organic products during last decade. This report aims at updating information about organic pig farming in Greece, relating production system and most health risk factors. Furthermore, in present study a animal health management program is proposed. The most common health problems that occur in the Greek organic pig farming are respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, claw and skin problems, parasitic infections and piglet mortality. A veterinary health management program in organic pi farms, including use of alternatives to antibiotics (prebiotics, probiotics and phytogenics), antiparasitics, appropriate vaccinations (e.g. against E. coli, M. hyo, PRRSV) and the appropriate disinfection program (e.g. rodent management with rodenticides) could be an useful tool for prevention and control diseases as well as for improvement of growth performance. In conclusion, the productivity growth in Greek organic pig farms can be increased by improving the living conditions of animals and the implementation of preventive measures (e.g. vaccination programs, treatments with phototherapeutics) that reduce mortality rates (especially during the winter months). For this reason the application of a herd health management program is necessary in organic pig farms.

scholarly journals A descriptive study of visits by animal health specialists in pig farming: Type, frequency, and herd‐health management factors

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Entng ◽  
M.J.L. van de Laak ◽  
M.J.M Tie len ◽  
R.B.M. Huirne ◽  
A.A. Dijkhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
Type Frequency ◽  
Management Factors

scholarly journals Consultancy to dairy farmers relating to animal health and herd health management on small- and medium-sized farms

2014 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 851-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Pothmann ◽  
K. Nechanitzky ◽  
F. Sturmlechner ◽  
M. Drillich
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Dairy Farmers

scholarly journals Benefits of Veterinary Herd Health Management on German Dairy Farms: Status Quo and Farmers' Perspective

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Ries ◽  
Katharina Charlotte Jensen ◽  
Kerstin-Elisabeth Müller ◽  
Christa Thöne-Reineke ◽  
Roswitha Merle
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional

Veterinary Herd Health Management plays an important role in veterinary medicine on dairy farms and has also been mandatory at the European Union level since April 21, 2021. Despite the increasing importance of VHHM, little is known about the extent of utilization of VHHM by dairy farmers and their view on this type of collaboration. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the status quo of the currently practiced VHHM in Germany. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted among dairy farmers in November and December 2020. From 216 analyzed questionnaires, about half (n = 106) of the surveyed dairy farmers used VHHM at different scopes. However, regardless of the group, the term “veterinary herd health management” generally was given most relative importance by the participants as a veterinary service for herd fertility improvement, rather than the actual definition of a holistic approach. In contrast to this, the actual motivation of the VHHM participants, to take part in such a program was primarily based on the desire to safeguard animal health by employing preventive measures, that is, to avoid the occurrence of diseases via improved management and to improve farm performance (and profitability). Dairy farmers who opted for VHHM tended to manage larger higher yielding herds than those who did not. Additionally, the farmers in latter farms were more likely to make joint animal health decisions with their veterinarians. Using a latent class analysis, two groups of farmers among farms that were not currently using VHHM were identified, one of which expressed great interest in using VHHM while the other did not. Since the new legal basis makes the topic even more relevant than before, dairy farmers, animals, and veterinarians might benefit from the study to exploit hidden opportunities for VHHM collaboration.

scholarly journals 37 Carry-over effects of health management through the production chain

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
Daniel U Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Disease Exposure ◽  
Beef Supply Chain

Abstract The beef supply chain has many segments for live animals and beef products. Live cattle are sold from the ranch to the stocker to the feedlot and then to the packer. Animals get sick due to an overwhelming exposure to a pathogen or a suppressed immune system. Many times, disease infections can occur in one segment of the industry but not present clinically until the cattle are stressed during transfer to a subsequent beef production segment in the supply chain. These diseases can have an impact on cattle reproductive efficiency, performance efficiency, food safety, and economics due to decrease animal health. The lack of vaccination, biosecurity, and diagnostic surveillance can result in animals being exposed to disease causing pathogens on the ranch, during marketing, or after they arrive at the feedlot. New animals entering the herd can bring diseases into a cow/calf operation. Calves leaving a cow/calf operation can carry agents such as infectious bovine rhinotracheaitis, bovine viral diarrhea, Leptospira bacteria, bovine leukosis virus and other pathogens into the stocker, backgrounder, or feedlot operation. Commingling occurs routinely in auction markets and feedlots. We can decrease disease exposure through diagnostic monitoring, biosecurity, and proper vaccination programs. We can improve the functioning immune system through preparing cattle for market transfer through animal husbandry, nutrition, comfort, and more. Health management in the beef supply chain is dependent on decreasing disease exposure and decreasing stress in cattle.

scholarly journals Animal health beyond the single disease approach – A role for veterinary herd health management in low-income countries?

2021 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 453-463
Author(s):  
Elin Gertzell ◽  
Ulf Magnusson ◽  
Kokas Ikwap ◽  
Michel Dione ◽  
Lisa Lindström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Herd Health

scholarly journals Survey of cow-calf producer perspectives on management strategies and industry challenges. Part 1: handling practices, and health and industry challenges

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-203
Author(s):  
Miriam S Martin ◽  
Scott A Grau ◽  
Burt W Rutherford ◽  
Temple Grandin ◽  
Lily N Edwards-Callaway
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract The objectives of this study were to benchmark cow-calf producer perspectives on management strategies and challenges, and to determine if demographic differences and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification status influenced the frequency of certain management strategies. A total of 1,414 responses from cow-calf producers in 44 states were collected through an online survey conducted in partnership with BEEF, a producer-focused magazine. Survey recipients were asked 30 questions to gather demographic information, respondents’ current handling and health management practices, and how they prioritized industry challenges. The frequency of management methods and decisions such as preconditioning and identification methods were impacted by respondent age, operation size, location, and BQA certification (Ps ≤ 0.009). BQA-certified respondents more frequently used electronic ear tags and freeze branding (Ps = 0.009). Overall, 74.5% of respondents were preconditioning their calves. Respondents who were BQA certified more frequently preconditioned their calves (449; 81.5%) compared with those who were not BQA certified (582; 70.4%) (P < 0.001). BQA training seems to be having a positive impact on production practices. Respondents identified cow-calf health as the biggest beef industry challenge and identified land availability or price as the biggest challenge to producers’ own operation. Respondents identified bovine respiratory disease, flies, pinkeye, and reproductive health as the most important animal health issues on producers’ operations. Health challenge responses varied significantly by producer age, beef cow inventory, and region of the United States (Ps < 0.001). Calf or neonate health was most commonly identified as the biggest challenge for respondents under the age of 30 years. Producers between the ages of 55 and 70 years most commonly responded that the Veterinary Feed Directive or regulations were more of a challenge than other age groups. Respondents clearly identified managing herd health as a challenge throughout the survey. Respondents with similar herd health challenges were identified based on demographic categorization, such as age of respondent and region.

Advances in techniques for health monitoring/disease detection in dairy cattle

2021 ◽  
pp. 53-100
Author(s):  
Michael Iwersen ◽  
◽  
Marc Drillich ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Standardized Testing ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Veterinary Profession ◽  
Proactive Management ◽  
Time Period

Livestock production has been characterized by the intensification and specialization of production leading to larger farms and, hence, to fewer farmers per animal. Thus, the animal-to-stockman ratio is increasing and the available time for monitoring an individual animal is reducing. In the same time period, the focus in the veterinary profession has shifted from treatment of acutely diseased animals to more proactive management, which includes the use of epidemiological tools to identify risk factors for animal health, welfare and production. As part of a modern herd management, reliable data on animal health are provided e.g. by routine and standardized testing of animals for the presence of disease. For this, traditional and increasingly sophisticated diagnostic tools are available. Recently, farmers have increasingly been using sensor technologies, allowing continuous and automated health monitoring of livestock. This aims in establishing an early warning system to optimize herd health management and fostering decision making.

scholarly journals Health and Production of Greek Organic Pig Farming: Current situation and perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. PAPATSIROS (Β. ΠΑΠΑΤΣΙΡΟΣ) ◽  
P. D. TASSIS (Π.Δ. ΤΑΣΣΗΣ) ◽  
G. CHRISTODOULOPOULOS (Γ. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) ◽  
S. BOUTSINI (Σ. ΜΠΟΥΤΣΙΝΙ) ◽  
G. TSIRIGOTAKIS (Γ. ΤΣΙΡΙΓΩΤΑΚΗΣ) ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
Gastrointestinal Problems ◽  
Micro Organisms

For many years, outdoor pig farming has been one of the most important livestock production seetors in Greece. Since the 1960s, the introduction of high-yielding pig genotypes, under intensive production systems, has replaced almost to disappearance the traditional -based on the native pig breed- outdoor pig farms.Organic pig production systems in Greece are growing in popularity over the last years due to the increasing interest of consumers for organic products. The National Greek projects for organic pig farming started in 2002 and since then it has increased, representing the 15% of total organic livestock production in 2007. According to the Directorate of Organic Agriculture in the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the development of organic pig farming industry in West Greece, Thessaly and North Greece was impressive from 2002 to 2007, A significant but more gradual development of organic pig farming was seen in the island of Crete, while insignificant development was observed in the Central Greece. The development of organic pig farming especially in the Northern part of the country started from 2003-2004 onwards.In 2002, the total number of organic pigs was just 1.288, while in 2007 it had reached 175.000 organic pigs in the country. However, a significant reduction has been noticed since 2008, mainly due to the national funding cuts for organic pig farming, as well as the increase of feeding expenses. Moreover, training and specialization of organic pig farmers and their investments on modernization and equipment / housing facilities were insufficient, resulting in animal health problems, poor growth performance, poor carcass quality and high-cost production. The most common health problems in Greek organic pig farming are respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, claw and skin problems, parasitic infections and high piglet mortality, Increasing health problems were attributed mainly to poor housing conditions (predispose to various infectious micro-organisms), and the contact of organic pigs with rodents that act as tank of several pathogens (Trichinella spp and Toxoplasma gondii). The housing condition of organic farming may predispose animals to various infectious micro-organisms, normally no longer present indoors because of the strict hygienic measures that arc taken. An important risk factor in organic pig production is the more frequent, compared with conventional swine industry, in contact with rodents. Rodents are actors - tank of several pathogens, some of which arc hazardous to public health, such as Trichinella spp and Toxoplasma gondii. This report aims to present updated information about the health status, production and development of organic pig farming in Greece during the last decade, as well as the potential of this particular productive activity for future development

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