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.

scholarly journals Dairy Calf Welfare and Factors Associated with Diarrhea and Respiratory Disease among Chilean Dairy Farms

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1115
Author(s):  
Javiera Calderón-Amor ◽  
Carmen Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Dairy Calf ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Waste Milk ◽  
Milk Feeding

This study aimed to describe management practices that may compromise the welfare of unweaned dairy calves on 29 dairy farms in Chile, and identify factors associated with diarrhea and respiratory disease (n = 700 calves). Evaluations were divided into protocol-, facility-, and animal-based measurements. Calf diarrhea and respiratory disease data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Management practices identified as risk factors for poor calf welfare were: relying on the mother to provide colostrum (48.0% of the farms); using restrictive milk feeding (65.5%), and unpasteurized waste milk (51.7%); giving water after 30 days of age (17.2%); disbudding without analgesia (89.6%) or anesthesia (79.3%); lacking euthanasia protocols (61.5%). Factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased odds of diarrhea were: cleaning the calves’ bed once a week and 2–3 times a week compared with every day, using milk replacer and untreated waste milk compared with treated waste milk (pasteurized or acidified), animals scored dirty in the calf cleanliness score compared with clean animals, and greater herd size. Factors significantly associated with increased odds of respiratory disease were: less pen space allowance (<1.8 m2), farms that did not check colostrum quality, and animals that scored dirty and moderately dirty compared with clean calves. These results suggest the need to improve specific management practices associated with reduced welfare and health in dairy calves in Chile.

scholarly journals Questionnaire identifying management practices surrounding calving on spring-calving dairy farms and their associations with herd size and herd expansion

animal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 868-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cummins ◽  
D.P. Berry ◽  
R. Sayers ◽  
I. Lorenz ◽  
E. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size

Measurement of Technical and Scale Efficiency of Dairy Farms in Pune District of Maharashtra: Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Efficiency Score ◽  
Scale Efficiency ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Technical Efficiency Score

The present study intended to determine the technical and scale efficiency of sample dairy farms for evaluating their performance. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique was used to estimate the technical and scale efficiency of 80 each of member and nonmember dairy farms in the Pune district of Maharashtra state during 2019. Technical efficiency score further partitioned into pure technical efficiency and overall technical efficiency. The technical efficiency score was more for member dairy farms as compared to the non-members under the assumption of constant return to scale (CRS) and variable return to scale (VRS). It highlighted that the non-members of dairy cooperatives had more potential to reduce the input use without affecting the output level compared to the member group. It was also observed that the technical efficiency under the CRS assumption was more than VRS for both member and non-member groups. It revealed that the farms were scaled inefficient (SE<1) and not operating at optimal scale. The study further revealed a positive relationship between technical efficiency and herd size. It also revealed that the resource-saving potential due to the scale effect. So, it supported the policy of providing technical advice on the use of feed and fodder resources, better management practices, and increasing the herd size to increase the technical and scale efficiency.

scholarly journals The Technical Efficiency of Specialised Milk Farms: A Regional View

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindřich Špička ◽  
Luboš Smutka
Keyword(s):  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Returns To Scale ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Scale Efficiency ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
Net Value Added

The aim of the article is to evaluate production efficiency and its determinants of specialised dairy farming among the EU regions. In the most of European regions, there is a relatively high significance of small specialised farms including dairy farms. The DEAVRS method (data envelopment analysis with variable returns to scale) reveals efficient and inefficient regions including the scale efficiency. In the next step, the two-samplet-test determines differences of economic and structural indicators between efficient and inefficient regions. The research reveals that substitution of labour by capital/contract work explains the variability of the farm net value added per AWU (annual work unit) income indicator by more than 30%. The significant economic determinants of production efficiency in specialised dairy farming are farm size, herd size, crop output per hectare, productivity of energy, and capital (atα=0.01). Specialised dairy farms in efficient regions have significantly higher farm net value added per AWU than inefficient regions. Agricultural enterprises in inefficient regions have a more extensive structure and produce more noncommodity output (public goods). Specialised dairy farms in efficient regions have a slightly higher milk yield, specific livestock costs of feed, bedding, and veterinary services per livestock unit.

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 Occurrence and Spread of Quinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli on Dairy Farms

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 3765-3773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Duse ◽  
Karin Persson Waller ◽  
Ulf Emanuelson ◽  
Helle Ericsson Unnerstad ◽  
Ylva Persson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Swedish Dairy

ABSTRACTQuinolone-resistantEscherichia coli(QREC) is common in feces from young calves, but the prevalence and genetic diversity of QREC in groups of cattle of other ages and the farm environment are unknown. The aims of the study were to obtain knowledge about the occurrence of QREC on dairy farms, the genetic diversity of QREC within and between farms, and how these relate to the number of purchased animals and geographic distances between farms. We analyzed the within-sample prevalence of QREC in individual fecal samples from preweaned dairy calves and postpartum cows and in environmental samples from 23 Swedish dairy farms. The genetic diversity of the QREC isolates on 10 of these farms was assessed. In general, QREC was more prevalent in the dairy farm environment and in postpartum cows if QREC was commonly found in calves than if QREC was rare in calves. In particular, we found more QREC organisms in feed and water troughs and in environments that may come into contact with young calves. Thus, the results suggest that QREC circulates between cattle and the farm environment and that calves are important for the maintenance of QREC. Some genotypes of QREC were widespread both within and between farms, indicating that QREC has spread within the farms and likely also between farms, possibly through purchased animals. Farms that had purchased many animals over the years had greater within-farm diversity than farms with more closed animal populations. Finally, animals on more closely located farms were more likely to share the same genotype than animals on farms located far apart.IMPORTANCEThis study investigates the occurrence of a specific type of antimicrobial-resistant bacterium on dairy farms. It contributes to increased knowledge about the occurrence and spread of these bacteria, and the results pave the way for actions or further studies that could help mitigate the spread of these bacteria on dairy farms and in the community as a whole.

scholarly journals Environmental Impacts of Milking Cows in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Janis Brizga ◽  
Sirpa Kurppa ◽  
Hannele Heusala
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Global Warming Potential ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
National Data ◽  
Size Dependent

Increasing pressures surrounding efficiency and sustainability are key global drivers in dairy farm management strategies. However, for numerous resource-based, social, and economic reasons sustainable intensification strategies are herd-size dependent. In this study, we investigated the environmental impacts of Latvia’s dairy farms with different management practices. The herd size-dependent management groups varied from extensively managed small herds with 1–9 cows, extending to stepwise more intensively managed herds with 10–50, 51–100, 100–200, and over 200 milking cows. The aim is to compare the environmental impacts of different size-based production strategies on Latvia’s dairy farms. The results show that the gross greenhouse gas emissions differ by 29%: from 1.09 kg CO2 equivalents (CO2e) per kg of raw milk for the farms with 51–100 cows, down to 0.84 kg CO2e/kg milk for farms with more than 200 cows. However, the land use differs even more—the largest farms use 2.25 times less land per kg of milk than the smallest farms. Global warming potential, marine eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, and ecotoxicity were highest for the mid-sized farms. If current domestic, farm-based protein feeds were to be substituted with imported soy feed (one of the most popular high-protein feeds) the environmental impacts of Latvian dairy production would significantly increase, e.g., land use would increase by 18% and the global warming potential by 43%. Environmental policy approaches for steering the farms should consider the overall effects of operation size on environmental quality, in order to support the best practices for each farm type and steer systematic change in the country. The limitations of this study are linked to national data availability (e.g., national data on feed production, heifer breeding, differences among farms regards soil type, manure management, the proximity to marine or aquatic habitats) and methodological shortcomings (e.g., excluding emissions of carbon sequestration, the use of proxy allocation, and excluding social and biodiversity impacts in life-cycle assessment). Further research is needed to improve the data quality, the allocation method, and provide farm-size-specific information on outputs, heifer breeding, manure storage, and handling.

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.

Clinical and anamnestic characteristics of patients with adenomyosis, accompanied by pelvic pain syndrome

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
M R Orazov ◽  
V E Radzinsky ◽  
M B Khamoshina ◽  
A O Dukhin ◽  
L R Toktar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Pain ◽  
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Pelvic Pain Syndrome ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
History Of

Pelvic pain syndrome associated with adenomyosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age. Frequency of detection in the population varies from 10 to 53%. The aim - to study the clinical and anamnestic risk factors of pelvic pain, with adenomiose. Materials and methods. The study included 120 (n=120) patients with diffuse adenomyosis with pain and painless form of the disease who underwent examination and treatment in the gynecological Department of the Central clinical hospital №6 of Russian Railways in Moscow. Each patient was provided with an individual card, which was encrypted 171 sign. The studied parameters reflected the passport and anthropometric data, information about education, social status, presence of occupational hazards, complaints, illness. Results. Burdened gynecological and somatic histories, manifested a low health index, a more pronounced hereditary a family history of neoplastic diseases are contributing factors, and high prevalence of postponed surgeries, chronic, long-term ongoing inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs to create a favorable background for the further progression of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in adenomiose.

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.

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