Knowledge transfer regarding the issue of animal health

Abstract

The transfer of knowledge and information gained from scientific investigations into farm practice is a primary constituent of applied agricultural science. The importance of this for both agricultural practice and agricultural science is in stark contrast with the fact that only very few studies have been conducted so far which have focussed on the framework required to achieve a successful transfer of knowledge.Both the necessary prerequisites for and potential barriers to the successful transfer of knowledge regarding the issue of animal health have been the topic of this study taking different stakeholder perspectives into account. Based on a socio-cognitive approach to knowledge transfer, different communication techniques (e.g. estimations of animal health situations, environmental stakeholder analysis and dialogue cafes) were used to depict and record the views on and understanding of different stakeholders on the issue of animal health.The analysis revealed divergence in the understanding of animal health, unclear responsibilities and self-referential judgements as barriers in the process of knowledge transfer. In the face of these constraints it is concluded that a targeted transfer of knowledge with respect to the issue of animal health is considerably compromised, requiring the creation of a framework which would provide the conditions for knowledge transfer. A common strategic goal, limiting the prevalence of production diseases, would help to bypass the current lack of a universally accepted definition of animal health. At the same time, this would function as a quality reference value in line with growing interest in animal welfare in livestock production.

The Causative Factor Detection and Identification of Boophilus Sp. Infestation in Bali Cattle in Barru Regency, South Sulawesi

“…A better understanding of the livestock farmer's knowledge is an essential element in effective health protection (Hoischen-Taubner et al, 2018). Overall, the total assessment of poor maintenance management had a very significant correlation (χ 2 = 67.15; P = 0.00) on the insidence of tick infestation with the OR of 51.68, so that poor maintenance and cage condition had a 51.68 times more likely to be infested with tick infestation.…”

The Whole and the Parts—A New Perspective on Production Diseases and Economic Sustainability in Dairy Farming

“…Further research in the field of social science [34][35][36], veterinary advice [37][38][39] and agricultural extension and knowledge exchange [40][41][42] focused on barriers to the implementation of new knowledge aiming to reduce the prevalence of production diseases and discussed ethical perspectives [7,43,44]. Some studies explicitly addressed the systemic nature of animal health in the farming context [45] and followed a transdisciplinary and participatory research design involving expertise from different disciplines as well as stakeholders' knowledge [46,47].…”

“…A lack of success in transferring knowledge was disclosed in other domains where the impact of new knowledge was intended to have an effect in practice [56,57]. The complexity of the interactions between biological (animal) and social systems (farm) hampers the implementation of knowledge to reduce the level of production diseases in livestock farming [47,58]. In agriculture the complex nature of animal health, the significance of the (farm) context and the socio-economic environment is seldom accounted for [59].…”

The importance of research applicability

“…Even if one or two producers do make practical changes which bring about welfare and production improvements, it does not mean that these changes will continue (Grandin, 2003), or that they will be transferred to others. Successful knowledge transfer is based on mindset and interpretation of information (Hoischen-Taubner et al, 2018). A person's emotions and personality will affect whether they take up any changes (O'Kane et al, 2017), not evidence, as Porcher (2019) rightly points out in her commentary.…”