animal welfare

How to reduce antibiotics used to treat uterine diseases?

Marketing 11 May 2022 News

How can we reduce antibiotics used to treat uterine diseases? We need to reduce the occurrence of diseases. The answer is quite simple, but the process to achieve this goal is challenging.

The prevention of diseases is far more effective than treating dairy cows, and, in case of uterine disease, great attention must be paid to the transition period. Reproductive disorders are in the top list of disease that contribute to production loss, cost increases, affected animal health and welfare, reduced efficiency in dairy cattle.

As we saw recently¹, the cow can rely on intrinsic complementary strategies to tackle uterine infection. However, much depends on how she responds to infections, in addition to the type of pathogens involved.

To help the cow in the defense process, we must reduce the risks of contamination at calving. Sanitation procedures are essential, as we need to ensure clean cows, clean calving areas, non-contaminated obstetrical tools, high personal hygiene, high levels of assistance during parturition.

Fresh cows naturally experience a major susceptibility to infections as their immune system is stressed by the calving event. To further reduce the stress load, in addition to a clean environment and assistance, we must ensure a comfortable environment and sufficient energy intake, both for macro- and micronutrients².

Concerning uterine disease detection after calving, observing the cow’s behaviour² and looking at visible vaginal discharge³represent effective strategies for a prompt intervention.

Finally, how to intervene? It depends, as deciding for an antibiotic treatment must not stem from just one sign (fever alone, vaginal discharge alone, and so on), but the combination of different warning signs.

The therapy decision-making process comes as a result of trained employees able to identify systemic changes at cow level (decreased milk production, cow sick and suffering, reduced feed intake, other visible sign), involvement of the herd veterinarian and awareness of the need to make changes in prevention protocols.

All these considerations, and, particularly, the knowledge and expertise of the veterinarian, will allow the proper therapy decision.

In conclusion, it is all about taking care of animal health and welfare through prevention, leaving the option of antibiotic usage as the last and rational resource. To support this approach, alternative tools can be a further help.

With the aim of boosting the reduction of antibiotics in reproduction, OZOLEA designed OZOLEA-METR, a no-withdrawal veterinary device for intra-uterine use: intended for the management of minor uterine issues, OZOLEA-METR can help reduce the occurrence of uterine disease by putting the cow in the conditions of defending herself against infections.

OZOLEA-METR finds application in late post-partum, or about 30 days after calving, when the uterine involution is almost complete, there are no clear symptoms of metritis, but abnormal non-severe vaginal discharge³ may be visible; moreover, it can be used after insemination in repeat breeders.

OZOLEA-METR is composed of a single ingredient: a pure food grade vegetable oil, bio-engineered with the exclusive OZOLEA technology, which modifies some of the oil’s fatty acid chains, thereby allowing the product, once in contact with the inner wall of the uterus, to improve late post-partum management and uterine tissue performance after insemination, thus boosting conception rates.

OZOLEA-METR supports tissue functionality by creating a film barrier in contact with the inner wall of the uterus: this physical barrier is able to temporary attenuate the causes of bacterial proliferation and metritis occurrence.

References

¹ Defense barriers and mechanisms against uterine contamination in dairy cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/defence-barriers-and-mechanisms-against-uterine-infections/

² A comfortable pre-calving period for less stressed fresh cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/a-comfortable-pre-calving-period-for-less-stressed-fresh-cows/

³ The meaning of vaginal discharge in dairy cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/the-meaning-of-vaginal-discharge-in-dairy-cows/

Cover image: Ph. Chino Rocha. Image available here.

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Reducing metritis occurrence in dairy cows

Marketing 30 March 2022 News

Bacterial contamination of the uterus at calving is ubiquitous. Almost all dairy cows are contaminated at calving; however, this does not automatically result in uterine infections in post-partum.

Many factors influence the establishment of metritis in the post-partum period, which may lead to fertility issues¹. Particularly, calving implies significant physiological and metabolic changes in a short period of time. Consequently, the immune system is more susceptible; thus, the outcome of the contamination strongly depends on the cow’s immune system and response to infections, in addition to the pathogen strain.

A healthy cow has a strong, well-regulated immune response that can resolve bacterial contamination. If the cow has a delayed or lower immune response, she is likely to develop metritis later. Thus, how the cow responds to potential infections really makes the difference.

In addition to this, effective herd management² is required. Moreover, the best way to control the disease consists in monitoring the cow and paying attention to any detectable sign of metritis³. The involvement of the veterinarian must be the routine.

Metritis is a common uterine disease in dairy cows and normally appears 10-14 days after calving. Metritis directly impact the productive and reproductive performance of the cow. It makes the cow globally sick; however, symptoms such as fever may or may not be present: concerning diagnosis, this may be relevant for therapy decisions.

Metritis does not relate only to difficulties at calving (dystocia, twins, retained placenta) and bacterial contamination during parturition. If in the transition period² there is no attention to nutrition and feed intake/access, if the cow’s health status is not constantly checked, as if we do not monitor social and behavioral aspects, we basically create the opportunity for metritis to show up.

Moreover, immediately after calving the risk of hypocalcemia is high. Scientific research (Martinez et al., 2013)⁴ described this metabolic disease as one of the risk factors for metritis: calcium plays essential roles in immune cells and uterine muscle contractions; thus, the effective physiological response to bacterial attack could be compromised.

Concerning antibiotic treatments, interesting results were reported by Pinedo et al. (2015)⁵: only 3 out of 4 cows treated with a specific antibiotic recovered 7 to 9 days after administration. On the contrary, 55 to 62% of untreated cows autonomously recovered. Thus, as we are now fighting against AMR, more info is needed on how the cow may respond to antibiotics.

To reduce the occurrence of metritis in dairy cattle, and, thus, reduce antibiotic usage, good management practices, proper diagnosis and specific treatment are needed to reduce the impact of post-partum metritis on animal health and fertility.

To support the dairy farmer in dealing with minor uterine issues, OZOLEA designed a new no-withdrawal tool: OZOLEA-METR. The product finds application in late post-partum, or about 30 days after calving, when the uterine involution is almost complete, there are no clear symptoms of metritis, but abnormal non-severe vaginal discharge³ may be visible.

References

¹ Improving fertility in repeat breeders.

https://www.ozolea.it/improving-fertility-in-repeat-breeders/

² A comfortable pre-calving period for less stressed fresh cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/a-comfortable-pre-calving-period-for-less-stressed-fresh-cows/

³ The meaning of vaginal discharge in dairy cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/the-meaning-of-vaginal-discharge-in-dairy-cows/

⁴ N. Martinez, L. D. P. Sinedino, R. S. Bisinotto, E. S. Ribeiro, G. C. Gomes, F. S. Lima, L. F. Greco, C. A. Risco, K. N. Galvão, D. Taylor-Rodriguez, J. P. Driver, W. W. Thatcher, and J. E. P. Santos, 2013. Effect of induced subclinical hypocalcemia on physiological responses and neutrophil function in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 97:874–887

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(13)00865-5/fulltext

⁵ P. J. Pinedo, J. S. Velez, H. Bothe, D. Merchan, J. M. Piñeiro, C. A. Risco, 2015. Effect of intrauterine infusion of an organic-certified product on uterine health, survival, and fertility of dairy cows with toxic puerperal metritis. J. Dairy Sci. 98:3120–3132

http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8944

Understanding Metritis in Dairy Cows

https://afs.ca.uky.edu/content/understanding-metritis-dairy-cows

Cover Image: Ph. Amber Kipp. Image available here.

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OZOLEA-MAST for animal welfare

Marketing 26 January 2022 News

Animal welfare has become of concern for civil society. It represent a complex and multi-faceted aspect, with “scientific, ethical, economic, cultural, social, religious and political dimensions” (OIE, 2017).

It is linked with food safety, human health and sustainability. The welfare of food producing animals highly depends on how they are raised.

In particular, attention to animal welfare in food producing animals can improve productivity, food security and economic sustainability.

At OZOLEA, animal welfare has always been one of the goals, along with sustainability and food safety. Aiming at the reduction of antibiotic usage in milk production, OZOLEA created veterinary devices for the use in dairy cows, to be applied along with best management practices.

The SSafeMILK project is the ultimate expression of all the effort of OZOLEA, also in terms of animal welfare: a circular model, to be implemented throughout the entire dairy supply chain, which brings benefits to all the players.

Among the major animal welfare and economic issues in dairy cattle, there is mastitis. Milk loss, increased costs associated with animal health assistance, reduced longevity, increased culling rates and reduced productivity and fertility are the main consequences of mastitis.

OZOLEA opted for a product, OZOLEA-MAST, which would support udder tissue before the onset of full-blown mastitis. By intervening promptly, the farmer can reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics.

Right before the onset of clinical mastitis, there is often a disorder in the mammary tissue’s functionality; this tissue degeneration appears to be one of the primary causes of bacterial proliferation and mastitis occurrence.

Moreover, biofilms in mammary glands can exploit a damaged tissue to proliferate and further stressing the tissue. A reduction of effectiveness of antibiotic therapies can be linked to this stress¹.

Thus, supporting the integrity and functionality of udder tissue and allowing the tissue to regenerate autonomously is an effective strategy to allow the expression of natural defense mechanisms.

Along with the implementation of the best herd management practices, OZOLEA-MAST makes it possible by creating a film barrier in contact with the inner wall of the teat canal.

In conclusion, by applying OZOLEA-MAST in combination with the specific protocols that OZOLEA defined for each situations, the occurrence of severe clinical events is reduced noticeably; thus, animals are less stressed and animal welfare can be improved.

We published a focus on animal welfare and AMR recently: click here to read it.

¹ Recurrent mastitis in dairy cows: the role of bacterial biofilms.

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

Cover Image: Ph. Jeremy Huang. Image available here.

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OZOLEA solutions to manage udder issues in organic dairy farming

Marketing 12 January 2022 News

Organic production is based on the interaction between best environmental practices and climate action, a high degree of biodiversity, the protection of natural resources and the application of strict criteria for animal welfare.

In organic animal production, prevention is essential, as is the guarantee of high animal welfare. In the European Union, concerning animal health care, the preventive use of antibiotics is prohibited. In case of need and according to the veterinarian’s recommendation, it is possible to use antibiotics when the use of other products is not suitable, to which extended withdrawal periods for the milk will follow.

In EU organic dairy farming, mastitis prevention is one of the biggest challenges.

OZOLEA wanted OZOLEA-MAST, its product for udder issue management, to be as versatile as possible from the very beginning. OZOLEA-MAST had to be a tool that could be used by all dairy farmers, large and small, both in conventional and organic production.

A product like OZOLEA-MAST becomes strategic in the presence of severe restrictions on the use of synthetic substances for the production of organic milk.

OZOLEA-MAST is designed to support the udder tissue at the first signs of udder tissue secretory disorders. This means being able to reduce the use of unnecessary conventional antibiotics, but having one more chance to avoid the use of antibiotics in organic dairy farming.

OZOLEA-MAST is a non-drug veterinary device for intra-mammary use, during lactation and for drying-off cows. It is a natural product consisting of bio-engineered organic corn germ oil for food use.

The specific bioengineering technology does not add foreign chemical compounds to the oil and guarantees the absence of product traces at the milking following its application.

Support to tissue functionality and, above all, the physical-mechanical filming barrier that OZOLEA-MAST creates to protect the mucosa allow the tissue to proceed with the natural regeneration process and increase the chances of the tissue to autonomously manage bacterial attacks.

When intact, intra-mammary tissue is inherently able to implement the natural defense mechanisms.

Furthermore, OZOLEA-MAST turns out to be a very uncomfortable environment for bacteria: the repetition of the application until the tissue is fully competent makes bacterial colonization difficult and therefore slows down the aggressiveness of the bacterial attack.

Where management measures are optimal to ensure hygiene, nutrition and welfare to the cows, OZOLEA-MAST fits perfectly for a prompt intervention at the first signs of disorder.

Furthermore, by applying OZOLEA protocols along with the use of OZOLEA-MAST in specific circumstances, the onset of full-blown clinical mastitis is significantly reduced, the animals are less stressed and many painful phenomena are avoided: one plus for animal welfare.

Thus, taking into account that OZOLEA-MAST is harmless, safe, effective and sustainable, it is suitable for use in organic dairy farming. In fact, it has already been approved as a compliant input for organic dairy farming in Wisconsin.

This article was published in Vetemontana’s website: here the Italian version.

Cover Image: Ph. Talat Duymaç. Image available here.

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Why the fight against AMR cannot exclude animal welfare

Marketing 22 December 2021 News

The Lisbon Treaty of 2009 explicitly recognizes that animals are sentient beings; thus, the European Union and its Member States bear an ethical responsibility to prevent maltreatment, pain and suffering.

The safety of the food chain is directly connected to the welfare of animals farmed for food production since animal welfare, animal health and food-borne diseases are closely related: in fact, stress factors and poor welfare can lead to higher susceptibility to disease transmission among animals.

All this represents an increased risk for food consumers, who can be exposed to pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. The fact that these and other species of bacteria can develop resistance to antimicrobial substances when these products are used imprudently makes things worse throughout the entire food supply chain, both for human and animal health as well.

Thus, the fight against AMR goes hand in hand with animal welfare. Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials involves the implementation of good animal welfare practices to reduce unnecessary suffering and to make animals healthier. Introducing good welfare practices also means reducing stress and, therefore, susceptibility to infections.

Basically, it means a reduced need for antimicrobials. Thus, prudent use of antimicrobials and animal welfare are not in contrast: it is a mutual relationship.

The basic principle is that livestock farming should no longer depend on antimicrobials. The European Union embraced this principle and put it into writing with the new Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products, applicable in all the EU Member states from 28 January 2022. In particular, the new rules concerning veterinary prescriptions, restrictions on prophylaxis and metaphylaxis, the use of critically important antimicrobials (CIA) in veterinary medicine, the One-Health approach, etc. will help.

The use of antimicrobials must occur and be prescribed only when really necessary. Their administration must be along with good management, good housing, appropriate nutrition and a high level of biosecurity on farms to minimize the infection pressure. Moreover, farmers have to involve the veterinarian in a decision-making process aimed at the definition of an effective health management plan. This includes also regular veterinary visits and a constructive relationship.

Many are the key points to take into account for an efficient management on dairy farms. Undoubtedly, these key points have to be monitored and discussed to check for their effectiness.

The concept behind the OZOLEA approach considers and aims to an improved level of animal welfare in dairy cattle worldwide. Each solution and strategy we develop never forgets animal welfare.

Our mission is to reduce antibiotic resistance in dairy farms, using new herd management protocols, for a milk production focused on animal health and welfare and, thus, on the final consumer.

This is why our leading product, OZOLEA-MAST, is not “just” a veterinary device: it represents an innovation among animal health products that comes just right before the onset of a full blown mastitis, and it works without depending on active substances. The simple but revolutionary physico-mechanical action, along with the proper protocol, helps dairy farmers to act promptly in case of udder issues and continuing shipping the milk.

By adopting OZOLEA tools and protocols, the occurrence of severe clinical events is remarkably reduced. The animals are less stressed and many painful phenomena are avoided. To spread this approach all over the world, OZOLEA launched and now promotes the SSafeMILK project.

Cover Image: Ph. Suvrajit S, image available here.

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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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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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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.

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A comfortable pre-calving period for less stressed fresh cows

Marketing 24 March 2021 News

The highest risk period for infections related to mastitis is that occurring around calving and the reason why is quite clear: during this period, the cow faces several physiological and metabolic changes, while her natural defensive mechanism is lower. This means a higher susceptibility to infections and udder issues, and much more.

The incidence of mastitis in the first month after calving is high: special management during the period around calving will help us keep cows healthy and make milk production profitable. Any issue occurring from three weeks before to three weeks after calving can negatively affect the rest of the lactation, both at cow and herd level.

Physiological, metabolic and endocrine activities during the periparturient period are quite challenging for the dairy cow: rapid differentiation of secretory parenchyma, exceptional mammary growth, abundant synthesis and secretion, and intense accumulation of colostrum and milk occur.

Particularly before calving, the cow’s mammary gland are noticeably vulnerable to infections. Thus, the effectiveness of a good dry cow treatment is essential, but not the only strategy that needs to be implemented. Management becomes of paramount importance and many are the critical points that deserves the highest attention of dairy farmers.

Environmental bacteria remain a hard challenge during this period and we have to rely on methods of controlling mastitis. Thus, we will strive to make the housing environment a better place for the cow.

In addition to the lower defense mechanism and the threat of environmental pathogens, we have to consider stress stemming from different situations that the cows go through. Cows generally respond to stress in terms of behavioral, immunological, neuroendocrine, and autonomic responses.

Great importance is given to the specifically designed ration to meet the cow’s nutritional needs during pre-calving but this is not the only determining factor for her performance and health during the imminent lactation.

Other aspects impacting the cow around calving are related to stress affecting the animal, such as overcrowding, moving cattle between groups and animal management. In addition, a well-designed stall, trained personnel (untrained workers are a real risk for any cows on the farm) and space management are essential.

Moving cattle between specific groups is of great significance, in particular for primiparous cows. Depending on the natural existing hierarchy among cows of different ages, primiparous cows will be subordinate by the multiparous cows and the agonistic effect is amplified any time overcrowding happens. The consequent risk of moving cattle and hierarchy is to have a reduced intake of ration in addition to stress. As preventive measures, we must therefore limit the number of moves around calving and keep overcrowding at bay in the dry cow, close-up/calving and post-calving areas.

Being aware of the hierarchy established by multiparous cows, we must consider creating more homogeneous groups on the basis of age to reduce the effects of competition.

How many groups should we evaluate before calving? First of all, a dry period group (average period of 60 days), which should be located adjacent to the close-up/calving group (here is where we will move cows 14-21 days before the estimated calving date, never less then 10 days before). Then, we have to consider post-calving group of fresh cows that must be monitored for a few days.

These ideal groups must take into account, in a real dairy farm, the available space, the presence of trained personnel able to carry out both the group moves and the progress within the group and the feasibility in terms of management. Thus, there will be farms where, immediately after calving, the cows will be transferred in the lactating group. However, it is good to keep in mind that every management choice made has effects on the cows’ welfare and therefore on performance.

To reduce stress due to the re-established hierarchy in each group, in particular to avoid effects due to retarded move in the close-up/calving group, we should consider the general rule of moving animals in groups weekly and not daily.

Crowding density represents a critical point: we should be able to adequately estimate the proportion of the lactating herd that will be in a certain period of the lactation as to evaluate with a discrete accuracy the space needed for cows in any group. Managing the number of animals in the various groups is not such a simple and mathematical thing because, due to the seasonal influence on fertility, the number of calving events will rarely be constant throughout the year.

The areas intended for close-up/calving groups should ensure comfort, hygiene, safety and space for the cows, but also make things easier for the worker. They can be individual or collective boxes, but in both cases the best option is deep litter housing compared to cubicles, although these guarantee sufficient comfort. If you plan to prepare an area that will house the close-up/calving group, then a collective box, you will first need an area that is oversized in relation to the number of cows. While moving cattle, we must avoid moving the cows in the group too close to the date of calving, as indicated above. The goal is to give the cow the necessary time to get used to the new environment and avoid stress.

Having enough space to separate fresh cows in the post-calving group for about ten days (maximum 14 days) is certainly very useful, especially for the observation of primiparous cows. Fresh cows can thus be monitored to check their nutrition, rumination and health status. If the cow needs treatment, it will be moved to the nursery pen, if on the other hand she is in good health conditions she can be transferred among the lactating cows.

The ability to manage transition cows according to these principles will not only give them a more comfortable environment, but will also reduce the occurrence of problems related to calving: this reminds us how training is vital for the entire life of our dairy farms. .