Effect of human-animal relationship and management on udder health in Swiss dairy herds

Abstract

In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of human-animal interactions and management factors on udder health in 46 Swiss dairy herds living in loose-housing systems on farms that participated in the Swiss dairy farm network "pro-Q." The human-animal relationship was measured by observing milkers' behavior, cows' behavior during milking, and cows' avoidance distance in the barn. Management factors were assessed by questionnaire-guided interviews and observations. Udder health was evaluated using indicators that were calculated from milk recording data over a period of 1 yr before assessment: (1) average somatic cell scores (SCS) per herd and (2) incidence of new infections per herd (NEWINF); and indicators that were calculated from quarter milk samples of all lactating cows at the time of assessment: (3) prevalence of quarters with elevated somatic cell counts (>100,000 cells/mL; %Q>100) and (4) prevalence of mastitis quarters (>100,000 cells/mL and culturally positive; %Qmast). After univariate preselection of associated factors, multivariable linear regression models were calculated at the herd level and a multilevel regression model was calculated at the herd and cow levels for SCS. Among all of the human-animal relationship factors, the most dominant predictor for SCS, %Q>100, and %Qmast was the percentage of positive interactions of milkers with the cows in relation to all of their interactions during milking. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of fearful cows in the herd (with an avoidance distance >1 m) was associated with a higher %Q>100. In herds with a higher NEWINF, incidents of cows kicking during milking occurred more frequently. Concerning management as well as farm and herd characteristics, the following mastitis risk factors were found: (1) breed, especially Holstein with regard to SCS, NEWINF, and %Qmast; (2) high age in terms of lactation number with regard to SCS and %Qmast; (3) high amount of new infections of a cow over 1 yr with regard to SCS; (4) air-adsorption during application of teat-cups with regard to NEWINF; (5) lack of separation of diseased cows with regard to NEWINF; and (6) ample dimensions of lying places with regard to %Qmast. The results suggest that the human-animal relationship is relevant for udder health, especially for cows' reactions to infections expressed as somatic cell count levels. Risk of infection itself appears to be mainly influenced by management factors. Hence, the human-animal relationship may be considered in extension concerning preventive mastitis control.

Relationship between stepping and kicking behavior and milking management in dairy cattle herds

“…Finally, kicking is also a reflection of pain and stress as SCC rise. Ivemeyer et al (2011) reported that herds with a higher incidence of new infections of mastitis showed more kicking during milking. Consequently, kicking was also associated with reduced milk yield.…”

Estudo longitudinal da mastite subclínica e produção de leite em um rebanho mestiço Holandês-Zebu criado em sistema semi-intensivo

“…Apesar da inexistência de estudos que analisam o perfil de CCS entre os vários cruzamentos HZ, sabe-se que há diferença entre raças quanto à susceptibilidade à mastite (De Vliegher et al, 2004), sendo a raça Holandesa a mais susceptível (Berry et al, 2007, Ivemeyer et al, 2011 Sci., v.91, p.4437-4439, 2008. …”

“…Aproximadamente 30% dos rebanhos brasileiros produzem leite com CCS de tanque acima de 600.000 cél./mL (Santos, 2013), o que, segundo Schwarz et al (2010), indica alta prevalência de mastite subclínica no rebanho. Independentemente da duração do problema, esse resulta em perdas de produção de leite e alterações na composição e qualidade dele, devido ao processo inflamatório que ocorre na glândula mamária (Ivemeyer et al, 2011). Segundo Philpot (2002), estima-se que, para cada aumento de 100.000 cél./mL na CCS, acima do limite apresentado pela literatura (200.000 cél./mL -Harmon, 1994), ocorra uma perda de produção de leite de aproximadamente 2,5%.…”

Einfluss eines komplementärmedizinischen telefonischen Beratungssystems auf den Antibiotikaeinsatz bei Nutztieren in der Schweiz

“…Dass die Einstellung und das Verhalten des Landwirtes Einfluss auf die Eutergesundheit haben, zeigten auch Studien von Jansen et al [37], Ivemeyer et al [38] und Schewe et al [39]. Tschopp et al [35] konnten zeigen, dass die Auseinandersetzung des Landwirts selbst mit Tiergesundheitsthemen zu einer Reduktion von antibiotischen Mastitisbehandlungen führte, während punktuelle Inanspruchnahme von Beratung oder regelmässige Betreuung durch den Hoftierarzt keinen Einfluss zeigten oder sogar zu einer Erhöhung der eingesetzten Antibiotikamenge führten.…”