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.

A description of biosecurity practices among selected dairy farmers across Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (14) ◽  
pp. 1711
Author(s):  
J. W. Aleri ◽  
M. Laurence
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Biosecurity Practices

Aims The study investigated critical biosecurity control points and dairy farmers’ motivations towards biosecurity practices among selected dairy farmers across Australia. Methods A questionnaire template was administered via an online survey. A three-stage process was used to develop the questionnaire by pooling of potential questions, selection and reduction of the questions to fit an 8–10 min survey. Key results A total of 55 responses were obtained. Mixed species rearing was practiced on 69% of the farms, with a majority keeping either sheep or beef cattle within the same property as dairy cattle. Approximately half of the farms (49%) did not provide formal training to new staff on aspects of animal health, as well as not conducting bull breeding soundness. Most of the farms (98%) required staff to use personal protective equipment, such as overalls and gumboots, but only a few of the farms (34%) had designated areas to clean footwear and a system for recording visitors (17%). Record keeping pertaining to animal health, maintenance of good fences and use of vendor declaration forms was practiced in a majority of the farms. The practice of quarantining new stock before mixing with other stock was practiced in only 45% of the farms. Monthly herd health visits by a veterinarian were utilised by 55% of the farms. Multivariable analysis showed positive significant associations between mixed species rearing with the practice of regular pest control (P = 0.004) and use of footbaths (P = 0.024) and no biosecurity plan (P = 0.025). Furthermore, a positive significant association was also recorded on the presence of a biosecurity plan and the presence of a designated area to clean footwear (P = 0.002) and no regular deworming (P = 0.024). Animal and human health reasons were the main motivators for implementing and maintaining ‘best practice’ biosecurity practices, whereas government regulation was the lowest motivator. Conclusions It is concluded that the biosecurity practices were variable, and animal and human health reasons were the primary motivators for instituting biosecurity practices. Implications There is a need to continue educating farmers on the importance of biosecurity practices.

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 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.

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

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.

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