scholarly journals Drivers of Antimicrobial Use Practices among Tennessee Dairy Cattle Producers

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Ekakoro ◽  
Marc Caldwell ◽  
Elizabeth B. Strand ◽  
Chika C. Okafor

Nonjudicious antimicrobial use (AMU) and inadequate antimicrobial stewardship are known modifiable factors driving the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A mixed methods approach using a combination of focus groups and survey questionnaires was used to explore the AMU practices of Tennessee (TN) dairy cattle producers. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to determine the following: (1) the most common drivers for using antimicrobials, (2) perceived alternatives to antimicrobials, (3) knowledge of and perceptions regarding AMR, (4) and the appropriate avenues for receiving information on prudent AMU. Two focus groups were conducted, one in July 2017 and the other in March 2018. The questionnaire was simultaneously made available to participants both in print form and online from January 26, 2018, through May 11, 2018. Twenty-three dairy producers participated in the focus groups and 45 responded to the survey. Eight (18.6%) producers never used bacterial culture and sensitivity testing (C/S) to select antimicrobials, more than half (25 producers (58.1%)) sometimes used C/S, four (9.3%) used C/S about half the time, five (11.6%) most of the time, and one (2.3%) always used C/S. The most common drivers for using antimicrobials were disease and animal welfare, pathogen surveillance, economic factors, veterinarian recommendation, producer’s experience and judgment, drug attributes, and the Veterinary Feed Directive. Good management practices, vaccination, use of immunomodulatory products, and use of appropriate technology for early disease detection were considered alternatives to AMU. Four (9.1%) dairy producers were very concerned about AMR, 27 (61.4%) moderately concerned, and 10 (22.7%) not concerned. The veterinarian was considered to be a trusted source of information on prudent AMU. Use of C/S test results for antimicrobial selection is widespread among TN dairy producers. There is a need to popularize/promote selective dry cow therapy among TN dairy producers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
Wilkister Nakami ◽  
◽  
Victor Tsuma ◽  

The human population is expected to double in Africa by 2030 and with it a consequent rise in demand for livestock products. Reproductive technologies improve livestock productivity however, uptake of the technologies has been low in Africa, yet this is where there is a dire need for livestock products as the human population surges. This study aimed to assess knowledge extent and understanding the use of assisted reproductive technologies in decision support for reproductive management of dairy cattle in Kenya. Dairy farmers and veterinary practitioners were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain relevant data on knowledge, attitude and practices in the use of assisted reproductive technologies in reproductive management in dairy farms. Observable heat signs was the only method used by participants to ascertain estrus in a cow. Artificial insemination technique was adopted by all farmers as the breeding method of choice. The analysis highlighted that the respondents with low levels of formal education had less knowledge on reproductive technologies and displayed risky practices. Overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated that the assisted reproductive technologies would be important in reproductive management. The relatively low levels of awareness, higher levels of education and a willingness to use the assisted reproductive technologies in reproductive management of dairy cattle strengthen the logic of improving productivity through the application of these assisted reproductive technologies as well as improve levels of awareness of reproductive management practices. Keywords: attitude, heat detection, knowledge, pregnancy diagnosis, practices, progesterone


Author(s):  
Ooi Chien Shing ◽  
Seng Kah Phooi ◽  
Ang Li-Minn

This case is about the technology component of integrations in the marketing strategy of U-Globe Organization–a travel service provider organization to assess their customer satisfaction. The general information about the company is firstly provided in organization background. It is then followed by the stage setting which describes the current technology utilization and management practices of the organization. In the case description the customer satisfaction tools that are used by the organization are explained and compared, as well as the management concerns in conducting these customer satisfaction assessment. The limitation or challenges with their current approach in technology related ways to realize the satisfactions are also discussed. At the end of the case, the recommendations and solutions are provided to show the possible ways in solving the existing problems and improving the way of assessing customer satisfaction by integrating the appropriate technology.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Firth ◽  
Annemarie Käsbohrer ◽  
Christa Egger-Danner ◽  
Klemens Fuchs ◽  
Beate Pinior ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial use in livestock production is a controversial subject. While antimicrobials should be used as little as possible, it is still necessary, from both an animal health and welfare point of view, to treat infected animals. The study presented here aimed to analyse antimicrobial use on Austrian dairy farms by calculating the number of Defined Course Doses (DCDvet) administered per cow and year for dry cow therapy. Antimicrobial use was analysed by production system and whether farmers stated that they used blanket dry cow therapy (i.e., all cows in the herd were treated) or selective dry cow therapy (i.e., only cows with a positive bacteriological culture or current/recent history of udder disease were treated). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was determined between antimicrobial use for blanket (median DCDvet/cow/year: 0.88) and selective dry cow therapy (median DCDvet/cow/year: 0.41). The difference between antimicrobial use on conventional and organic farms for dry cow therapy as a whole, however, was not statistically significant (p = 0.22) (median DCDvet/cow/year: 0.68 for conventional; 0.53 for organic farms). This analysis demonstrates that selective dry cow therapy leads to a lower overall use of antimicrobials and can assist in a more prudent use of antimicrobials on dairy farms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1653
Author(s):  
Rodrigo De Andrade Ferrazza ◽  
Gilvando Fabio Uliana de Moura ◽  
Marcos Aurélio Lopes

The aim of this study was to characterize the factors associated with the growth phase of dairy cattle used in family farming. We investigated 20 family-run milk production systems located in the Conceição de Ipanema municipality, MG, Brazil. Farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured survey form containing 152 questions. The questions were aimed at characterizing the farmer, herd, and husbandry system at pre- and post-weaning phases. Data were processed by using Sphinx® software, and descriptive analyses were performed in MS Excel® software. The results showed strengths, including navel healing (100%), location of the calf housing above (45%) or next to the pen (35%), and existence of a sanitary calendar (90%). However, several limitations in the management of calves and heifers were identified, such as lack of zootechnical bookkeeping (55%), manual milking with calf at the foot (65%), absence of herd sizing (100%), no routine weighing of calves (95%), incorrect colostrum management (80%), non-supply of transition milk to calves (85%), and likely failure to diagnose diseases by a fraction of the farmers. Thus, training regarding adequate management practices by extension technicians is imperative, along with the formulation of public policies that comply with the aspirations of family farmers, while promoting their economic and social sustainability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 890-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego P. Silva ◽  
Alexandre M. Pedroso ◽  
Murillo C.S. Pereira ◽  
Gustavo P. Bertoldi ◽  
Daniel H.M. Watanabe ◽  
...  

This work aimed to survey management practices used by dairy farmers and to report nutritional recommendations adopted by 43 dairy cattle nutritionists in Brazil. The web-based survey consisted of 80 questions. Almost 50% of the participants had clients that produce <1000 kg of milk daily and 48.8% had clients who own fewer than 100 dairy cows. Corn was the primary source of grain (97.4%), and 43.9% of the nutritionists included from 41% to 50% concentrate in lactation diets. The mean roughage inclusion in lactation diets was 50.5% and 79% of the nutritionists reported corn silage as the primary roughage source. Average crude protein and rumen-degradable protein concentrations recommended by the nutritionists for lactation diets were 15.7% and 9%, respectively. Average Ca and P concentrations recommended for lactation diets were 0.70% and 0.41%, respectively. The major health problem reported by 83.9% of the nutritionists was mastitis. The present survey provides an overview of management practices adopted by dairy farmers and nutritional recommendations currently applied by dairy cattle nutritionists in Brazil. The most critical points identified were low milk yield, mastitis as the major health problem, lack of proper mixing and delivery of rations, and destination of male calves.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Eddie Ekakoro ◽  
Chika C Okafor

Background. Antimicrobial drugs in veterinary medical practice are primarily prescribed for the purposes of maintaining or improving health and increasing productivity. However, their value is being eroded by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs is suggested as one of the modifiable factors contributing to the development of AMR. To reduce indiscriminate use and to improve antimicrobial use, veterinary practices are encouraged to adopt good stewardship practices. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: to identify factors influencing clinician decisions to begin using antimicrobials as well as the choice of antimicrobials used at The University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center (UTVMC); to evaluate the practices, perceptions, opinions and concerns of veterinary clinicians at UTVMC concerning antimicrobial use, antimicrobial stewardship, and AMR. Methods. This study’s protocol was approved by the University of Tennessee Knoxville IRB for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research. Survey software was used to send a questionnaire to 121 eligible participants, where all were UTVMC faculty with clinical appointments and house officers. Cumulative logit models were fitted to investigate associations between categorical explanatory variables and ordinal response variables. Results. A response rate of 51.24% was achieved. Of the 62 respondents, 47 (75.81%) reported that bacteriological culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test results were extremely important in their antimicrobial prescription decision-making. Thirty-two (51.61%) respondents believed antimicrobials are being over-prescribed. The cephalosporin class was the most preferred antimicrobial class, while the lincosamide class was the least preferred. From the multivariable cumulative logit model, year of graduation from veterinary school (P = 0.034) and clinicians’ primary patient load (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with clinicians’ degree of concern about AMR. Conclusions and clinical relevance. The findings suggest a need for more awareness about AMR among veterinary clinicians. Improvements in antimicrobial stewardship are needed, especially among veterinary clinicians who graduated after 1999. Educational practices that target modification of antimicrobial prescription practices of veterinary clinicians would likely improve a Good Stewardship Practice (GSP) mindset. GSP is important in prolonging the efficacy of currently available antimicrobial drugs.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 882
Author(s):  
Jade Bokma ◽  
Linde Gille ◽  
Koen De Bleecker ◽  
Jozefien Callens ◽  
Freddy Haesebrouck ◽  
...  

Mycoplasma bovis is an important pathogen causing mostly pneumonia in calves and mastitis in dairy cattle. In the absence of an effective vaccine, antimicrobial therapy remains the main control measure. Antimicrobial use in veal calves is substantially higher than in conventional herds, but whether veal calves also harbor more resistant M. bovis strains is currently unknown. Therefore, we compared antimicrobial susceptibility test results of M. bovis isolates from different cattle sectors and genomic clusters. The minimum inhibitory concentration of nine antimicrobials was determined for 141 Belgian M. bovis isolates (29 dairy, 69 beef, 12 mixed, 31 veal farms), and was used to estimate the epidemiological cut-off. Acquired resistance was frequently observed for the macrolides, while no acquired resistance to oxytetracycline and doxycycline, minimal acquired resistance to florfenicol and tiamulin, and a limited acquired resistance to enrofloxacin was seen. M. bovis isolates from beef cattle or genomic cluster III had higher odds of being gamithromycin-resistant than those from dairy cattle or genomic clusters IV and V. In this study, no cattle industry could be identified as source of resistant M. bovis strains. A single guideline for antimicrobial use for M. bovis infections, with a small remark for gamithromycin, is likely sufficient.


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