Marketing | OZOLEA

Lowering somatic cells in our milk for better processing

Marketing 19 May 2021 News

Alterations in milk reflect the degree of physical damage to the udder tissue.

In clinical and subclinical mastitis, the blood-milk barrier is damaged, thus junctions between mammary epithelial cells weaken. This is the way for blood and extracellular fluid components to easily escape into the lumen of the alveolus and mix with milk, increasing its pH and its properties.

In the milk we will have more ions, proteins, somatic cells – that are inflammatory cells and epithelial cells resulting from exfoliation.

We also know that, with infections in the udder, somatic cells increase in milk. The SCC in milk can be related also to non-microbial factors that affect the udder tissue (changes in environmental conditions, nutritional disorders, stressful conditions, microtraumas, etc.).

A SCC lower than the threshold of 200,000 cells/mL is generally considered to be of high practical value to assess a mammary quarter as healthy.

The number of somatic cells in milk are therefore a good indicator for udder health status and quality of milk. Moreover, while SCC increases in the milk, the ability of the mammary gland to produce milk reduces¹.

In addition, the composition of milk is affected by the increased content of somatic cells. In brief, the level of whey proteins (in particular, those of blood origin: serum albumin and IgG) rises; sodium concentration also increases, while lactose decreases. Generally, this pattern seems similar in the milk of all ruminant species.

There is a global rise in protein content and related compounds due to the defensive and inflammatory response. In contrast, the related decrease in casein quantity due to plasmin caseinolytic activity, is critical for milk processing. Also, a reduction in fat content is expected as the result of compromised synthetic and secretory capacity of the mammary gland.

A decrease in casein content means a reduced dairy product yield.

Along with it, an augmentation of free fatty acids occurs while SCC increases: this can be explained as the result of milk fat globule membranes altered by leucocyte lipases or by plasmin (as per hydrolysis of lipoproteins).

In addition to changed pH, chemical-physical properties (lower titratable acidity and worsened coagulation parameters) varies negatively affecting dairy product yield and its quality.

Consequently, the milk will have worse curding properties leading to a curd with lower ability to hold back useful compounds, such as fat and water. Also, in case protein and fat content have not been affected by enzymes, the milk with high SCC will return lower dairy product yields.

All these impacts occurring in bulk milk seems to reflect what happens at the quarter level.

What could we do to reduce udder issues in order to lower somatic cells in milk? Thinking of the approach to management we implement on our dairy farms is the first thing to do. Attention to cow comfort, cleanliness of the environment, nutrition, proper early detection of clinical signs, and biosecurity are some key points.

When it comes to high SCC, OZOLEA can be helpful both for milk production and milk processing.

It is a matter of lowering SCC. Is it possible? Yes, but it is worth stressing that it depends on the causes that have led SCC to rise.

OZOLEA-MAST protects and supports the udder tissue, thus giving it time to regenerate. This autonomous regeneration is a key process for the reduction of somatic cells resulting from exfoliation and a better defensive competence against pathogens² (somatic cells deriving from macrophages and neutrophils).

And, what more? OZOLEA-MAST does not interfere with the cheesemaking process, and no traces of it can be found in milk. But this is another story to be told.

¹What changes in milk tell us when we forestrip

https://www.ozolea.it/what-changes-in-milk-tell-us-when-we-forestrip/

²Recurrent mastitis in dairy cows: the role of bacterial biofilms

https://www.ozolea.it/recurrent-mastitis-in-dairy-cows-the-role-of-bacterial-biofilms/

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Livestock husbandry has a multiplier effect on other business activities

Marketing 14 May 2021 News

With a growing population, reaching 9.7 billion people in 2050 (UN’s estimations), food security is a priority, and livestock husbandry matters.

Expansion of meat and dairy sector is expected, as the demand for such foods is increasing. In this context, and to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we need an “integral approach towards more sustainable, sustained and inclusive economic growth” (UN 2016. Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York. A/RES/70/1.).

Food security is not the only reason why the livestock sector should not be left behind.

As depicted by the FAO¹, livestock production employs at least 1.3 billion people worldwide and, in developing countries, provides livelihoods for 600 million poor smallholder farmers (Thornton et al., 2006).

It is a sector with multiple linkages with other industries: business services of all kinds, markets for different inputs (vehicles, agrochemicals, fertilizers, animal health products, etc.), food processing, and many more.

Its vigorous growth means a lot for many social and economic aspects, representing the major opportunity for developing countries to trace the path towards economic development.

In particular, FAO¹ reports that the growth of the livestock sector has the ability to generate “complex vertical and horizontal multiplier effects” that go far beyond agriculture. Moreover, the non-agricultural sector tends to react more elastically to variations happening in livestock husbandry.

Here some numbers from the FAO’s document¹: in lower middle-income economies, a 1% increase livestock production tends to extend the non-agricultural sector by 0.76%, while the agricultural sector does it by 0.64%.

These elasticities also show differences depending on the economic development of countries.

It is essential to create long-term, steady and sustainable livestock economic growth models that stress the importance of labor productivity, focusing on valuable and labor-intensive activities and working conditions.

How far are we from the needs to be met to tackle AMR that we highlighted last week²? Actually, not that far. It also has to do with current increased feed prices and volatile milk prices that to not follow the same path as feed prices.

Particularly in EU developing countries, such as Romania, first decision made by farmers is cutting input costs. And this is happening also for essential inputs.

Along with the growing population prospects, the development of the livestock sector is also the first and great opportunity for employment in developing countries. However, the capacity of creating remunerative and steady jobs is and will remain one of the major challenges to tackle poverty.

Unfortunately, there is still heterogeneity and segmentation not only among countries, but also within the sector itself, especially in terms of distribution of value among players.

Therefore, at dairy supply chain level, a long-term vision will be beneficial not only for dairy farmers (better working conditions and increased profit), but, considering its multiplier effects, also for other players along the chain and all non-agricultural sectors revolving around it.

OZOLEA’s SSafeMILK project intend to support the display of a circular and inclusive milk chain approach, reducing disparities within the milk chain and focusing on shared objectives, shared responsibilities and thus more valuable shared results.

¹ Transforming the livestock sector through the Sustainable Development Goals

http://www.fao.org/3/CA1201EN/ca1201en.pdf

² AMR: for a global action, no one must be left behind

https://www.ozolea.it/amr-for-a-global-action-no-one-must-be-left-behind/

³ We need cohesion and sharing results to make consumers understand the importance of paying the fair price for milk

https://www.ozolea.it/we-need-cohesion-and-sharing-results-to-make-consumers-understand-the-importance-of-paying-the-fair-price-for-milk/

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Acting on repeat breeder cows to increase herd productivity

Marketing 12 May 2021 News

Reproductive efficiency is critical in dairy herd management. Thus, when dairy cows fail to become pregnant, it should be looked at on different aspects on dairy farms.

Those cows that have no clinically evident reproductive pathologies, but show normal estrous cycles, and fail to become pregnant after 3 or more breedings are defined as repeat breeders.

These cows experience increased failure of fertilization due to uterine issues and mediocre management practices. In particular, insemination techniques and semen storage play roles in repeat breeding. Poor attention to these aspects will affect overall herd fertility.

Efficiency in the management of heat detection, nutrition, cow comfort are key factors in determining reproductive performances and are the starting points to reduce the incidence of repeat breeders. On most dairy farms improper decision making will influence reproductive efficiency more than infective events.

Embryonic mortality is quite common in repeat breeders, and the result is having prolonged interestrous intervals. Embryonic mortality may depend on different aspects (genetic factors, immune reactions, aged or incompetent oocytes, hormonal effects). Actually, it appears that embryonic mortality is a major factor contributing to repeat breeding.

Non-specific uterine infections are not main causes of repeat breeding, but specific viral and bacterial agents can lead to early embryonic death.

Embryonic mortality may also occur due to failure of embryonic implantation due to hostile uterine environment.

As a consequence, embryonic mortality means: decreased milk production due to retarded and less productive lactation, increased veterinary interventions, higher semen costs, fewer calves for sale, and higher culling and replacement rates and costs.

How to approach these issues? First thing, always seek veterinary advice to exclude any potential pathology and decide how to intervene.

When no specific disease is detected, prognosis for fertility is generally recommended and also other approaches (use of GnRH when inseminating, synchronizing of ovulation or uterine lavage, and, only in valuable cows, embryo transfer or oocyte aspiration) are generally attempted.

OZOLEA thought of a useful alternative for dairy farmers to manage minor uterus issues, in particular to act at uterus environment level. This alternative tool is called OZOLEA-METR.

It is a non-drug veterinary device for intra-uterine use, and the concept is similar to that behind OZOLEA-MAST: supporting tissue functionality by creating a film barrier in contact with the inner wall of the uterus.

When dealing with repeat breeders, it is necessary to apply OZOLEA-METR 24 h after insemination. In this range time the embryo is forming in the tubes but before it descends towards the uterus for implantation.

In post-insemination OZOLEA-METR, once inserted into the uterus, forms a thin filming barrier in contact with the endometrium, allowing the tissue to regenerate and provide the best conditions for the embryo implantation.

Read these articles to find out more about cow comfort to reduce udder and uterus issues

A comfortable pre-calving period for less stressed fresh cows

How to tackle challenging springtime SCC spikes

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AMR: for a global action, no one must be left behind

Marketing 7 May 2021 News

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has already crossed borders and has an international dimension.

It is a big issue concerning human and animal health, the environment and food safety. Thus, it involves livestock husbandry without exceptions.

To tackle AMR the team must be global for a coordinated and effective action. Unfortunately, inequalities among countries are substantial, making acting globally difficult.

Protecting the efficacy of antimicrobials and other products needed to treat infections in humans involves the implementation of good practices intended for prevention and control. This should happen in livestock husbandry all over the world.

Where the farmer’s income, the access to services, infrastructures, knowledge and innovation, the availability of skilled workers and professionals, tailored policies and the fabric of society allow certain opportunities, disease management and prudent use of antibiotics are facilitated.

People living in poverty are generally more susceptible to infections and at higher risk of disease caused by resistant bacteria. As a matter of fact, these people do not have economic means for more expensive medications. Thus, self-medication with antibiotics is quite common in regions with under developed infrastructures.

Same issue occurs in livestock husbandry: deliberately treating animals by using antibiotics imprudently exacerbates these risks.

There is a growing world population estimated to reach 9.7 billion people in 2050¹. Along with it, there will be an increasing demand for safe and abundant food. AMR is a threat for food safety and human health, since foods of animal origin are vehicles for bacteria to spread among species.

We cannot afford to put food safety, food security, human and animal health, and the environment at risk.

What could the livestock sector in developed countries do for developing regions? Crossing borders, both physically and mentally, will benefit developed countries in the first place.

Livestock husbandry is a sector that needs a reduction of inequalities, aiming at putting countries in equitable economic, cultural, social and structural conditions.

It is a matter of boosting the livestock sector globally. Specifically, it calls for: supporting policies and investments specific to livestock husbandry; improving infrastructures; implementing inclusive rural development policies; facilitating access to services; framing proper social protection programmes; disseminating knowledge about strategies that have been already tailored and implemented against AMR in developed countries.

OZOLEA’s SSafeMILK project intends to be part of this combination of actions by making the OZOLEA approach to AMR available to all developing countries.

“Resistant bacteria do not need a passport to cross borders” (Rome, 2019, OZOLEA institutional meetings at the Pakistan Embassy), and nor should we to protect human and animal health.

¹What do dairy farmers do for the place they live and work in, while the population is growing? OZOLEA discussed this topic some weeks ago.

https://www.ozolea.it/what-dairy-farmers-do-for-the-place-they-live-and-work-in/

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Veterinary medicine product or not? OZOLEA’s innovative approach within the new regulatory framework

Marketing 6 May 2021 News

Since the very beginning, OZOLEA has always had two clear goals.

The first is finding solutions to help the farmer improve health management at herd level, by addressing udder issues that could lead to milk loss, and those relating to the uterus, which are generally followed by reduced fertility in dairy cows.

The second, as important as the first, is to put the dairy farmer at the forefront of the prudent use of antimicrobials for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The starting point was precisely the concept of resistance to active substances. Today we are aware of the fact that it is a problem for human and animal health, food safety and the environment.

In animal husbandry, the sustainable and rational way of using medicines should include the application of biosecurity strategies and a disease management plan, defined along with veterinary advice.

The dairy farmer’s ability and the availability of products such as those proposed by OZOLEA allow to avoid the use of unnecessary antibiotics and other drugs.

OZOLEA has therefore designed products capable of creating an environment, in the udder and uterus, hostile to microorganisms without acting directly against them. They belong to the product category of veterinary devices.

Let’s take a step back to the definition of a veterinary medicinal product as per Reg. (EU) n. 2019/6¹. Knowing it will help us recognize the products available on the market.

Veterinary medicinal product means any substance (of human, animal, vegetable or chemical origin) or combination of substances which fulfils at least one of the following conditions: (a) it is presented as having properties for treating or preventing disease in animals; (b) its purpose is to be used in, or administered to, animals with a view to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action; (c) its purpose is to be used in animals with a view to making a medical diagnosis; (d) its purpose is to be used for euthanasia of animals;

OZOLEA products consist of bioengineered food grade vegetable oils. They do not contain substances capable of carrying out pharmacological, immunological, metabolic actions. They cannot be used for disease treatment or prevention. They do not restore, correct or modify physiological functions. They are not designed to establish a medical diagnosis and, without a doubt, are not suitable for euthanasia.

OZOLEA tested them according to ISO standards, proving that they are non-cytotoxic products.

Furthermore, we have already focused on what antimicrobials² and biocides³ mean. The concept of “direct action on microorganisms” completely excludes OZOLEA products from the markets for these two types of products.

This is why OZOLEA products are veterinary devices, the definition of which is currently derived on the basis of the legislation in force for medical devices for human use.

To date, both in Italy and at EU level, there is no specific legislation that legally defines veterinary devices. However, Italy⁴ and other EU countries recognize this type of products on the market, with or without registration specifications for marketing.

The innovative and clear OZOLEA approach is not to fall into the definitions of veterinary medicinal product, antimicrobial and biocide, with the ultimate goal of fighting AMR.

Therefore, OZOLEA products are and will continue to be legal in the EU, but also in the United States⁵. The effort will have to be towards a harmonized EU standard for veterinary devices.

Insights

¹ Reg. (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicines applicable from 28 January 2022: are we ready?

https://www.ozolea.it/reg-eu-20196-on-veterinary-medicines-applicable-from-28-january-2022-are-we-ready/

² Why the enemy is resistance to antimicrobials and not only to antibiotics

https://www.ozolea.it/why-the-enemy-is-resistance-to-antimicrobials-and-not-only-to-antibiotics/

³ The fight against AMR also involves the correct presentation and proper use of biocides

https://www.ozolea.it/the-fight-against-amr-also-involves-the-correct-presentation-and-proper-use-of-biocides/

⁴ The Italian Ministry of Health has given indications about what veterinary devices are: http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/temi/p2_4.jsp?lingua=italiano&tema=Animali&area=veterinari

⁵ The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clarified the definition of “Animal Medical Device”: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/products/animal-medical-devices

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Milking robots, acting on udder issues more promptly with electrical conductivity measurement

Marketing 5 May 2021 News

The introduction of automatic milking systems (AMS) such as milking robots on a dairy farm leads to revolutionizing the management of the entire milk production process. It is a huge investment; thus, it deserves the utmost attention.

Milking robots are one of the tools available for precision livestock farming. They entirely control the milking process and collect important data useful for the improvement of several aspects in herd management.

Milking robots bring about radical changes in the way dairy farmers are used to run their business. AMS means completely changing the approach to and time for milking. It reduces labor employed for milking routine, freeing the dairy farmer/milker for other activities.

However, milking robots do not relieve the dairy farmer of the milking process completely: they simply rationalize it.

Dairy cows will deliberately choose when it is time for milking, across 24 hours, even more than twice a day. This leads to improved animal welfare and, potentially, to better herd productivity.

A useful and functional feature of milking robots is their ability to collect precious data about milk production per single cow and specific parameters concerning individual quarters. These data, if managed and read properly, will help the dairy farmer to understand the lactation story of any cow and of the whole herd.

This will lead to further improvements of herd management.

When the dairy farmer (or milker) milks the cows themselves, the first thing we do is forestripping. As we already discussed*, it is the critical step for early detection of clinical cases of mastitis or, anyway, intra-mammary tissue disorders.

With milking robots, we will not forestrip. Here it is where specific data collected at individual quarter level become useful – for early detection. Thus, proper assessment of sensor measurements is extremely critical to implement and monitor a process for mastitis detection.

The most widespread on-line sensors in AMS measure electrical conductivity (EC), providing real-time and continuous information about milk.

EC was introduced as an indicator for mastitis in the 1990s and is the most studied, simplest and lowest cost indicator for mastitis detection. Its values are determined by the concentration of anions (Cl^–) and cations (Na⁺) in milk. An increase of EC would reflect the augmented concentration of ions in mastitic milk following an inflammatory event of the mammary gland, which leads to an increase of the permeability of the blood-mammary barrier.

Scientific literature^1,2 reports some discrepancies concerning this parameter as an indicator for mastitis. It is worth saying that technology is also focusing on other indicators, such as LDH enzymes.

We should never forget that mastitis can depend on different microbial and non-microbial factors, therefore checking other information (such as the SCC or milk cultures) can better clarify the real situation.

Despite these issues, EC can be still considered a useful alert to identify whether there is a disorder at udder tissue level or not.

This means that, when the EC sensor signals that the range of normal EC values has been exceeded, the dairy farmer can decide for a prompt intervention to anticipate any worse development of the ongoing tissue disorder.

OZOLEA can provide the solution for an even more prompt action. This solution is OZOLEA-MAST.

With the milking robot, the result of OZOLEA-MAST is optimal as the detection of electrical conductivity allows to accurately and widely detect the presence of a mammary secretory disorder. The application of OZOLEA-MAST in the earliest stages allows the tissue a timely autonomous regeneration, with consequent better defenses against aggression and better competence in the autonomous management of inflammation.

The application calendar remains twice a day, at the end of the cow being milked – preferably morning and evening, for four days. As in conventional milking.

¹ M. Khatun, R. M. Bruckmaier, P. C. Thomson, J. House, and S. C. García. Suitability of somatic cell count, electrical conductivity, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in foremilk before versus after alveolar milk ejection for mastitis detection. 2019, J. Dairy Sci. 102:9200–9212

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15752

² M. Hovinen and S. Pyörälä. Invited review: Udder health of dairy cows in automatic milking. 2011, J. Dairy Sci. 94:547–562

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3556

*What do changes in milk tell us when we forestrip? You can read more here.

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The fight against AMR also involves the correct presentation and proper use of biocides

Marketing 29 April 2021 News

Milk producers know what biosecurity means, and they also know how much effort must be made in the stall to manage all the measures aiming at avoiding the introduction, development and spread of diseases in the dairy herd.

Everything we do for the purposes of biosecurity is prevention and control, two elements that need help from chemistry in certain situations.

Here are some examples: at milking, we use pre- and post-dipping products. Or, as per routine, we disinfect environments or the milking machine’s elements, eliminating microorganisms (not just bacteria!) that could infect our animals.

Same issue, with specific procedures, in the dairy processing.

To do this, chemistry must provide us with products that are effective, safe and of proven quality. And also authorised. All this goes through the so-called biocides market, which the European Union has defined by means of a complex legislative framework [BPR, Reg. (EU) no. 528/2012] and which are more types of products than only disinfectants.

Thus, if we want to buy a disinfectant product we must therefore ensure that it has been authorised as a biocide. The authorisation, which takes place at a national level, essentially validates the efficacy and safety of use of these products. It will be the product label that will tell us this.

But why do we need to be sure of this?

The first reason lies in the term biocide (Article 3 of the BPR). Biocides are substances that destroy harmful organisms or in any case, in the broad definition given by the BPR, make them harmless through chemical/biological processes, with the exclusion of mechanical or physical action.

So a detergent, which performs a mechanical or physical action, will never help us effectively in disinfection. On this, in Italy, in 2019 the Ministry of Health clarified any doubts. In the EU, an ongoing process is leading Member States to finalise the review of active substances used in biocides. The process is expected to be completed in 2024 and, from then on, only biocidal products containing substances included in the resulting EU lists can be authorised.

The second reason lies in an international aspect: the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We know that microorganisms also develop resistance to biocides (which are antimicrobials). Unfortunately, research on specific resistance to biocides has not reached levels of knowledge comparable to what is known about antibiotics.

It remains, as already said, that thinking of using any type of antimicrobial, regardless of its origin, as a weapon against AMR does not appear to be the right solution. Surely, we can safeguard their importance and reduce the impact on AMR by using the right products correctly.

Furthermore, it is equally important to have correct information from those who produce and supply these substances, especially as regards the scope of use and the correct conditions of use since this is what properly addresses the end user.

Let’s go back to veterinary medicines. Reg. (EU) no. 2019/6 establishes rules on the advertising of these products to essentially achieve the goal of proper promotion for adequate use and fair trade practices on the EU market.

Biocides, veterinary medicines and feed (think medicated feed) markets have long been very crowded places with important differences also due to the existence of specific national regulations. Experience has shown that it is necessary “to put emphasis on the distinction between feed and biocidal products, on the one hand, and veterinary medicinal products, on the other, because that distinction is often misrepresented in advertising” (observation no. 80 of the VMP Regulation).

The steps forward made by Reg. (EU) no. 2019/6 in terms of advertising, distinction between products and above all harmonization through various other regulations [such as the BPR, but also the new regulations on medicated feed – Reg. (EU) n. 2019/4] are extremely important for the veterinary, husbandry and dairy world of the European Union.

By giving unitary rules, the final effect will be that of being able to face the AMR with the same common vision and, concerning competitiveness, especially for milk producers, those disparities between one state and another will be reduced in terms of availability of inputs, with a little respite at least of costs for the management of biosecurity.

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A suitable drying-off procedure helps protect udder health

Marketing 28 April 2021 News

Protecting cows from stressful agents and conditions is one of our priorities on dairy farms. Especially when it comes to the most delicate moment of a cow’s life.

As we said already, while getting closer to calving, the cow goes through a very intensive period of physical, metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus, we must ensure the best conditions to let her live a calm and stressless period. It is a matter of cow welfare, udder health and production in the subsequent lactation.

Thus, how we dry-off our cows and how we cease milking is of utmost importance, for many reasons.

Drying-off involves the implementation of various measures to prepare the cow for the dry period. These measures are: the cessation of milking, dry cow treatments, use of teat sealants, moving cattle between groups.

OZOLEA always highlights the importance of proper drying-off procedures, in particular for what concerns milk production. Cow welfare and effective management are the two main pillars behind OZOLEA-MAST concept.

How we cease milking can definitely affect cow welfare, udder health and the following milk production. We can stop milking cows by either drying-off abruptly or gradually.

Thus, drying-off abruptly or gradually? The main difference is in timing. The first approach implies ceasing milking on a set day, generally scheduled on the basis of the estimated calving day and desired dry period length. The second one means reducing milking frequency over several days/weeks, with or without diet variation in energy and nutrition intake.

Dairy cows can still produce large quantities of milk towards the end of lactation, and this is the critical point. There would be many considerations about managing milk production for a nice lactation curve along with successful insemination procedures, but this is another long, complex story.

What is critical to know is that, if not properly conducted, the transition from a lactating to a non-lactating state can be really challenging and painful, especially when drying-off abruptly.

From an animal welfare perspective, gradual milk cessation can be more beneficial as it can meet natural behavior of the cow, her social state and biological functionality more closely.

Moreover, how we approach cessation of milking also affects physiological processes such as udder involution, generation of natural protective substances and all those natural strategies that help the cow prevent intra-mammary infections during the dry period.

Udder involution is a particular process and involves the transition of the udder from a lactating to a non-lactating one. Not milking within several hours implies the suppression of prolactin secretion and milk synthesis. Among other processes, non-specific antibacterial substances and natural protective factors, part of the innate immune response at udder level, also increase in mammary secretions. Reducing milking frequency accelerates udder involution while enhancing the innate defense system during the dry period.

Bacteria generally enter the udder through the teat canal. The formation of a keratin plug is a key physical defensive mechanism at each quarter level. The process requires a certain time range: the literature¹ indicates that this process is faster in lower producing cows than in higher producing cows.

Milk synthesis continues at the very early stages of the dry period. This implicates a raise in internal pressure in the mammary gland, potentially leading to milk leakage and delayed keratin plug formation. Milk leakage is generally higher in cows with high milk yield at dry-off than those with lower yields.

All these issues are related to an increase in levels of stress perceived by the cow. The mechanisms behind stress are several and complex: unfortunately, they can lead to detrimental effects such as abortion, thus the loss of a lactation.

As we can see, a gradual reduction of milk production is beneficial for many aspects at udder, cow and dairy farm level. From the literature, milk yields of 15 kg/day or less are generally recognized as associable with better udder health. To facilitate the achievement of this goal, we can also restrict nutrient and energy intake. The more widely spread solution is feeding cows with hay only. Concentrates stimulate milk production; thus, we will avoid their use.

Cattle movements among groups is one of the strategies to make the cow comfortable before calving. Dairy cows are creatures of habit: if the dry pen is is positioned near the milking parlor, the cows can be stimulated by the noises and sounds of the milking machine. This leads them to prepare for milking and thus stimulates milk leakage.

Management and housing conditions highly vary among herd and dairy farms. The best way to deal with proper drying-off procedures is to seek for veterinary advice, always keeping in mind that a clean, dry, comfortable environment is vital for dry cows.

However, drying-off abruptly leads to increased risk of mastitis during the dry period and udder issue in the following lactation. Moreover, this practice does not allow the transition to selective dry cow therapy. We have already seen how urgent this process is, due to legislative requirements and the need of solutions against AMR.

In a context of high cow welfare and effective management such as that created with a gradual milk production cessation, a selective dry cow treatment can be conducted by using OZOLEA-MAST. Compared to a conventional therapy, using OZOLEA-MAST on cows suitable for selective treatment allows for a greater reduction in somatic cell count in the third and fourth month after calving. This reduction is a consequence of the tissue regeneration supported by OZOLEA-MAST.

¹M.J. Vilar, P.J. Rajala-Schultz Dry-off and dairy cow udder health and welfare: Effects of different milk cessation methods. The Veterinary Journal 262 (2020) 105503

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105503

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We need cohesion and to share results to make consumers understand the importance of paying the fair price for milk

Marketing 23 April 2021 News

The production of milk is estimated at around 155 million tons per year in the EU dairy sector. The main producers are Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, accounting for 70% of the EU production.

A substantial and pervasive sector, highly heterogeneous as well. Undoubtedly, a fundamental role in milk production is carried out by medium-large specialized dairy farms, which are more than half of the dairy farms in the EU. Their share of milk production ranges from 24% (Czech Republic) to 99.9% (some Spanish and Portuguese regions) of the EU total production.

A sector that has experienced a profound revolution over the last few decades, proving the ability to improve efficiency by reducing the number of animals and increasing quantities of milk produced.

Specialized dairy farms have an advantageous production potential that allows high levels of productivity. On the contrary, the remaining part of small and medium-sized farms shows financial indicators (such as financial assistance and debt sustainability, efficiency, profitability) that are insufficient to allow satisfactory levels of income suitable for further investments (Poczta et al., 2020).

Regardless of the type, dairy farms in every EU Member state share the same challenges (European Parliament, 2018). Milk price volatility is undoubtedly the main problem, accompanied by an objective difficulty in predicting both the price and milk volumes to be produced and placed on the market.

Specialization offers advantages, but it binds producers to a single output – milk. In cases of sudden market shocks, this can be a disadvantage compared to those dairy farms that differentiate. Even small companies are affected by market shocks, not being able to rely on adequate financial support to buffer potential shocks.

Introducing young dairy farmers remains critical (only 11% of producers are under 40): there are also difficulties in attracting new generations to dairy farms.

In addition to this, dairy needs to cope with pressures due to climate change, which impacts the production of animal feed. The 2018 fodder crisis, very hard for Northern Europe countries, is a clear sign. Moreover, the strong demand for soy pushes the price on the market to figures that are hardly to be faced by dairy farmers.

Even occupying a weaker position in the bargaining process is a challenge. The value of the supply chain is more concentrated in transformation and retail, and not equally distributed along the supply chain. Similarly, fluctuations in the market are largely transmitted to milk producers.

Undoubtedly, the tendency to produce more and more milk to meet these difficulties, by enlarging dairy herds, cannot be the solution to dairy farmers’ problems, and there is a reason why.

The milk market is quite peculiar. Milk, a highly perishable raw material, is the traded product, and it needs to be managed in a very short time. Processors are sometimes called to manage surplus quantities of milk, which, however, are unlikely to find a place due to market demand. All this must be coordinated with fast logistics and taking into account the influence of other variables on the market. So, basically, it’s a matter of efficiency.

Milk and dairy products, even if matured, have their shelf-life. Therefore, it is difficult to draw comparisons with markets for other food products, such as wine, which also follows completely different consumption trends with respect to dairy products. Not to mention its history: a terrific recovery since 1986, when methanol claimed victims and severely put the wine industry in crisis in Northern Italy.

The concept of the supply chain is not simple. It is used in a “neutral” way to describe production processes. In general, it is a concept that can be ascribed to “an economic circuit, characterized by an ordered succession of production cycles for the realization of a good” (Scarano, 1989).

In order for the economic circuit to work, relationships within the supply chain and the dialogue between operators deserve more attention. Given the common problems, how advantageous can operating independently still be?

One option could be to seek all possible synergies for building a relationship and a medium and long-term policy, in which the objectives and results are equally shared throughout the supply chain. the result would be a greater profit margin for all operators in the supply chain.

Unfortunately, the dairy industry’s attempts to defend itself from public opinion still remain within the sector: cohesion is needed to get them out the supply chain and convey them to the consumer, so that they come to understand the importance of paying the right value for milk.

Furthermore, for a more proficuous future for the entire dairy supply chain, the value recognized by the consumer must be distributed equally throughout the supply chain. And this means having an even stronger dairy supply chain.

OZOLEA’s SSafeMILK project was created to be a sustainability project, from any point of view. Among the goals, it aims to promote an approach that is going to be profitable for everyone and only if every actor in the milk chain is ready to properly converge on and share objectives, responsibilities and profits.

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How to tackle challenging springtime SCC spikes

Marketing 21 April 2021 News

As with other pathologies, the incidence of mastitis is influenced by environmental and climatological factors. Therefore, in particular periods of the year, such as spring, there is a higher risk of somatic cell spikes in the milk linked to different stress factors that must be kept under control.

Among these factors, those related to seasonal patterns are wind, sudden temperature changes, wet weather, changes in humidity along with warm temperatures (wet-to-dry changes). These are factors that can negatively affect production and fertility in dairy cows. Basically, everything we are experiencing these spring days.

What to do to keep spring somatic cells spikes at bay? Let’s take a look at the effects of individual factors on dairy cows to find some solutions for mitigating the risks that may lead to mastitis in the spring.

It is a matter of intervening firstly on the management of the environment where our herd lives, always ensuring hygiene and welfare in order to protect animal health.

Providing proper ventilation throughout the year is extremely important since cows are sensitive to the microclimate in the stall.

The dairy cow is sensitive to the wind, particularly when it is cold. It is therefore essential to adopt solutions to tackle the effect of the wind when it is persistent and/or where exposure to it is a constant.

When designing or renovating the stall, we will take this variable into account by thinking carefully about the exposure and type of the structures. If we do not intend to carry out refurbishment, we can mitigate the effect of the wind with panels or mobile elements such as windbreak netting, which during the summer can be used as shading netting. Eventually, even rows of bales covered with film and well positioned could help break the wind flow.

A less immediate but equally functional solution is to create rows of windbreak trees or shrubs, capable of breaking the flow of air which therefore becomes less annoying for the cows.

A well-designed stall and proper ventilation help limit respiratory issues in dairy cows. These problems affect the immune system, making the animal more susceptible also to potential mastitis manifestations.

In addition to prevention with the aforementioned precautions and in addition to veterinary advice, with the proper attention to the first signs of mastitis, in case we have to manage situations that are out of control or, anyway, that can be improved, we can intervene with OZOLEA-MAST to limit the rise of somatic cells.

A wet environment is something unpleasant to dairy cows, and the risk, with rainy days in spring, is high. There is only one rule to manage this problem: ensure cows clean and dry bedding and cubicles. We can keep humidity at bay by containing overcrowding in the stall, keeping the same cleaning routine as usual, possibly integrating with tools and/or products capable of ensuring the absence of excessive humidity.

Sudden changes in temperature have an impact on the metabolic processes of the cow, especially between 10 and 25 °C. The cow has its own time of functional and metabolic adaptation to changes in temperature. As we know, metabolic alterations affect the animal’s defense mechanism, with potential mastitis events.

In this case as well, in addition to creating a constant microclimate in the stall and with the help of the veterinarian, we can apply OZOLEA-MAST in those susceptible cows that most influence the the bulk tank average, in order to keep eventual increases in somatic cells in the milk under control during these delicate moments of climate transition.

The changes in humidity associated with warm temperatures are the ideal conditions for the proliferation of environmental bacteria which, as we know, are one of the causes of mastitis. Also in this case, an effective cleaning of the cubicles and on bedding renewal will be important: especially in spring, a season that typically has dry/wet fluctuations, attention must be paid to cleaning these elements.

At udder level, the teat sphincter is a delicate area. Its function is to close the teat canal, allowing milk to be retained. This makes it an important defense mechanism available to the cow against bacterial infections.

The combinations of environmental factors occurring during spring, along with mechanical stress or other stress factors, can cause micro-lesions capable of compromising this important function and becoming the gateway to potential infections.

Again, it can be useful to act on most susceptible dairy cows by protecting the intra-mammary tissue by means of the use of OZOLEA-MAST, whose effect is also to help maintain the elasticity of the sphincter.

Depending on the causes from the increase of SCC in the milk, OZOLEA-MAST can help lower SCC. it allows the intra-mammary tissue to regenerate. The main indirect effects of regeneration concern both the reduction of epithelial exfoliation (somatic cells of exfoliation) and a better defensive competence against pathogens (somatic cells deriving from macrophages and neutrophils) due to the better performance of intact tissue.

This is a slower process than traditional treatments, but the results will be more lasting and infection will be less likely to recur.