dairy farming | OZOLEA

Over-the-counter antibiotics in the US: face the challenge with OZOLEA-MAST!

Marketing 19 April 2023 News

June 11th, 2023 is a key date for US dairy farmers, as some antibiotics used for treating diseases in food-producing animals will change their status from “over-the-counter” (OTC) to “prescription” (Rx). This means that dairy farmers will no longer be able to get some mastitis treatments, such as mastitis tubes or penicillin, without prescription.

Specifically, these changes concern certain medically important antimicrobial products. FDA has implemented a list (available here) with the product that will be affected and will be sold only on prescription.

This is the result of the implementation of Guidance for Industry (GFI) #213. Since 2017, FDA has worked to reduce the use of important antimicrobials in food-producing animals, first on those administered in feed or drinking water, now on other dosage forms (such as injectable products).

Milk producers are called upon new effort that will further boost the great achievements in terms of antibiotic usage reduction of the past years. The final aim is extremely important: protecting medically important antibiotics and tackle the development of antibiotic resistance¹.

A new challenge for farmers, particularly if we think that mastitis is one of the main reasons for antibiotic usage on farms. What possible strategies could milk producers implement on farms to prevent and control mastitis, while reducing the occurrence of most severe cases?

Once again, the golden rule will be overall efficient herd and environmental management to reduce contamination and possible udder infections.

Defining and developing a mastitis management plan is critical for the prevention and/or control of mastitis, working methodically and finding out any critical point that deserves higher attention on our dairy farms.

Mastitis can occur in dairy cows at different severity levels. The ability to identify early signs of mastitis is crucial: we can achieve this goal by observing foremilk at stripping²and the signs at cow and udder level, or by following electrical conductivity changes, thus allowing a timely intervention before full-blown mastitis.

Another aspect not to be underestimated is that not all mastitis cases need an antibiotic treatment. From his field activity, Mike Zurakowski, DVM (Cornell Quality Milk Production Services) was able to verify that around 85% of mastitis cases are mild or moderate. These are cases that do not require a systemic and immediate treatment: thus, waiting 24-36 hours for the treatment will not change the results. In this range of time, we evaluate for the autonomous regression of the disorder. The remaining 15% of cases should be treated immediately and systematically.

Moreover, milk cultures represent useful tools to determine what type of pathogens have caused infection at udder level. Culturing the milk helps us discriminate between contagious or environmental pathogens. It also gives clues about whether an antibiotic treatment is needed or not and, thus, what antibiotic must be applied, if needed.

This approach follows a pathogen-based treatment decision pattern for mastitis. It is extremely useful: it can contribute to the prudent use of antibiotics; it allows the farmer to save money on health care and labor expenses; it helps decrease antibiotic residues in the milk tank and minimize milk losses; it mitigates the risk of antimicrobial resistance since the treatment will be targeted and clearly established based on analyses.

Remember that some dairy cows will not benefit from antibiotic usage: we discussed this in “When dairy cows will not benefit from the use of antibiotics” (link here).

Combine efficient management with OZOLEA-MAST, non-prescription animal device!

In addition to efficient management, since 2020 US dairy farmers have been able to rely on a no-withdrawal, non-antibiotic and non-prescription product: OZOLEA-MAST.

OZOLEA-MAST is an animal device that achieves the function of support and protection of the mammary tissue through a physical mechanism. Thus, it does not rely on a chemical action: for this reason, it is a no-withdrawal product. Plus, it does not require veterinary prescription as it is not a veterinary drug, as for the classification stated by FDA³.

OZOLEA-MAST is a versatile product. You can use it both in lactating cows (early signs, high and chronically high SCCs, electrical conductivity changes, and many more) and for drying-off. Its versality fits well into a new environment requiring farmers to use antibiotics more prudently.

OZOLEA-MAST helps reduce the occurrence of severe mastitis cases when the disorder is caught at early signs. This means fewer cows in the hospital pen.

Get in contact with OZOLEA to know more about how OZOLEA-MAST can be part of your routine!

E-mail: americas@ozolea.it

Toll-free number: +1-(800)-918-0902

References

¹ Efficacy of existing antimicrobials? Let’s support it by prudent use.

https://www.ozolea.it/efficacy-of-existing-antimicrobials-lets-support-it-by-prundent-use/

² Early detection of mastitis: signs at cow, udder and milk level.

https://www.ozolea.it/early-detection-of-mastitis-signs-at-cow-udder-and-milk-level/

³ How FDA Regulates Animal Devices.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/how-fda-regulates-animal-devices

For California only: the definition of the so-called “livestock drugs” is quite different from that stated by the FDA and requires a specific registration also for animal devices. OZOLEA-MAST obtained the registration in March 2023.

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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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What dairy farmers do for the place they live and work in

Marketing 9 April 2021 News

Being dairy farmers requires multi-disciplinary skills, and sometimes we would need to be relieved a little from some issues and responsibilities. However, our presence in specific areas of the world is fundamental both from an economic and social perspective.

In general, the backbone of the economy in rural areas is agriculture. The communities, the infrastructure, the employment and people living there are mainly concentrated on agriculture and food production, contributing to make rural villages and towns a worthy place to live.

Dairy production is a consolidated asset in rural areas since it supports livelihoods by providing regular source of products of animal origin that can be both food for local people and a market opportunity.

In particular, dairy farmers are the stewards of land and soil. Last week, we made the point on the impact of a good herd and farm management on land and soil (read “The circular nature of dairy farming”). This is worthwhile in particular for marginal rural areas, where dairy farming contributes to the reduction of the risk of hydrogeological instability.

Occupying marginal areas and continuing some of the traditions of dairy production help the society reduce the continuous depopulation of these regions, bringing back work and employment, while reducing gender inequalities.

Furthermore, it is important for many farms to be family-owned. Family farms help make the countryside a more inclusive place to live and encourage young men and women to get involved in rural activities, bringing innovation, development and strengthening the socio-economic network.

In the European Union, the depopulation of rural areas is an extremely important phenomenon: agriculture today is different from the one of decades ago. In the past, small farms were widely spread across the territory. With urbanization, rural realities have drastically reduced, but at the same time they have experienced a notable technological and productive evolution. This evolution is a step towards future demographic development.

Estimates show a global population growth of up to almost 9.7 billion by 2050. 70% of the population will be concentrated in urban areas and 30% in rural areas. This percentage will have to deal with agricultural production, and will have to do it with increasing efficiency.

Dairy farming can be both intensive and extensive, and both of them have their role in the social development. Intensive farming should not be seen negatively.

Intensive milk production is an approach designed to maximize outputs with reduced use of resources. Innovation has made it possible to improve animal welfare and health level, as well as the protection of the environment. Focusing on efficiency and sustainability, it is possible to understand the positive sides of intensive production.

Only the European Union milk production is estimated around 155 million tons per year. Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain are the main producers – almost 70% of the EU production. Thus, it is a substantial, pervasive and heterogeneous economic sector.

The EU dairy herd (around 21 million cows in 2018) has been decreasing recently along with an increase of the milk yield per cow (7000 kg in 2018). This is a clear sign of efficiency.

In addition to its importance for land management, employment and food production, dairy farming is a hub of innovation, involving different fields of research – from life sciences to engineering. In particular, intensive production systematically allows a resource and technology transfer even where there are no adequate economic and structural possibilities, concretely supporting sustainable innovation in developing countries.

Now that we are facing new challenges – from the environmental issue to the price issue, we should be able to protect our role as guardians of the environment and in feeding the world.

These roles require the ability of creating, sharing and implementing our knowledge and new technologies, but also new ways to organize the supply chain and cooperate.

The final goal of cooperation must be economic, environmental and social sustainability. And this is also the objective of OZOLEA’s SSafeMILK project.

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The circular nature of dairy farming

Marketing 2 April 2021 News

The whole dairy sector has been experiencing pressure from the outside world about environmental impacts and animal welfare.

Actually, we have accepted our responsibilities and strived to do our best in improving our performances. Yes, this must be said loud: we improved. And we know it. We also know that we must step up a little bit our effort to meet new goals.

To do this, we have to think clearly, have simple and effective strategies and a concrete support.

Once again, it is not a matter of major investments: it is an efficiency issue.

And when it comes to efficiency while running any type of activity, responsible production and consumption have a positive impact, first of all for our pockets.

One month ago, we discussed how it is important to prevent and/or control mastitis and other diseases, avoid infrastructure issues and be careful when delivering the milk to processors by checking antibiotic residues. These simple attentions in management would help us make the best production out of our dairy herd and reduce milk loss.

Then, we focused on good quality manure: homegrown crop production is our own great opportunity to dispose of the waste produced by our dairy cows. We can use it as a fertilizer to meet nutritional demand of crops, while economically optimizing the entire dairy system.

Two weeks ago, we shifted the focus to water quality. There is a lot around it: being able consumers of farming inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics allows us to make water cleaner. Using water more efficiently can help us preserve agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, last week we had a precise idea of what effective and prompt disease management would mean for our dairy herd, milk production, profit and the environment.

The main leitmotiv is unique, simple and absolutely feasible: we have to aim at responsible production and consumption. That is doing more with less.

Let’s go further: by implementing circular economy practices, we can be one step closer to those goals that we are called to achieve. But we have to be really convinced.

Is there anything new in circular practices for dairy farmers? Dairy farming has always had a circular behavior, if we consider a simple dairy circle. Grass can grow thanks to soil nutrients, and is used to feed cows. Cows produce milk and, as living beings, produce waste (manure) that we will use on crop fields. Thanks to manure, we can fertilize the soil. Then, when transforming milk in cheese, the whey can be used to produce other dairy products.

Unfortunately, we know that we have overused inputs to maximise production and this has complicated milk production and related impacts on the environment.

However, shifting milk production back to its circular nature is still possible.

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A more valuable manure for better crop productivity

Marketing 12 March 2021 News

This brief post is meant to be the second one of a discussion series about sustainability without mentioning this word. Our main goal is to be highly efficient and good managers on our dairy farms, before making major investments.

Last time, we had a story to tell about good manure quality. We saw how feeding calves with milk rejected from the tank due to withdrawal periods is not a good option both for calves’ health and chemical and microbiological characteristics of soils when spreading.

What about crop productivity? A proper waste management and a good quality manure can help us give the right boost to our crops.

As dairy farmers, we rely on homegrown crop production. This is a great opportunity to dispose of the waste produced by our dairy cows using it as a fertilizer to meet nutritional demand of crops. Also, it is a good opportunity for the economic optimization of our own entire dairy system.

A recent meta-analysis¹ assessed more than fifty scientific studies to compare the use of dairy manure with synthetic fertilizer.

This meta-analysis showed that, when applied at rates providing equivalent levels of plant-available nitrogen content, the effects of dairy manure on crop production, quality, and digestibility were positively equal to those achieved with synthetic fertilizer.

In particular, manure application increased soil organic matter, with a suggested overall positive impact on long term-fertility. The meta-analysis reported a high variability across the studies for soil nitrate leaching and nitrous emissions, concluding that no clear trends were evident.

An increase in soil phosphorous with a potential threat to water quality may be a risk related to dairy manure application.

The good thing is that, if applied with care to limit above impacts, dairy manure is a suitable fertilizer. It is worth noting that these impacts can vary with site-specific factors (climate, soil type, and application procedures).

Now, let’s go back to the antibiotic issue. A proper management of antibiotics in dairy cows is important for our crops, as well. Dairy manure can introduce chemicals (antibiotics) and pathogens (yes, including resistant strains from calves). How do antibiotics impact the soil, in short?

Depending on a number of different factors (physical and chemical properties of the substance, climatic factors, characteristics of the soil) persistence of antibiotic residues in the soil is determined mainly by sorption to organic particles and degradation/transformation.

The effects on soil microorganisms are the change in their enzyme activity and ability to metabolize different carbon sources and an alteration of the microbial biomass and heterogeneity of microbial communities.

Soil biodiversity plays an important role in ecological processes, and this is true especially for microorganisms, most importantly for their positive role in the maintenance of soil and water quality.

Thus, we owe our crops and our fields a good waste management and rational antibiotic use – it is beneficial for us first! Now, let’s go over good manure spreading:

never forget about local and national relevant rules on manure application to soil;
know the nature and characteristic of the soil – it helps avoid water pollution;
be sure to maintain non-spread zone near vulnerable areas – water sources, settlements, etc.;
highly fertile soils do not need high quantity of fertilizer;
consider proper weather and soil conditions for the application;
pay attention to timing and level of application on heavy or impermeable soils, areas subject to flooding and sloped grounds.

¹ Peter L. O’Brien and Jerry L. Hatfield. Dairy Manure and Synthetic Fertilizer: A Meta-Analysis of Crop Production and Environmental Quality. Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 2:190027 (2019) doi: 10.2134/age2019.04.0027

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Making money by saving milk

Marketing 5 March 2021 News

Sustainability is a tough word for many of us dairy farmers. Actually, we should think over how much it has to deal with the global management of our business. The better the dairy farm is managed, more the benefit.

It does not depend exclusively on how much we spend for green solutions.

Thus, let’s talk about economic and environmental sustainability in dairy farming without mentioning it throughout the post. What actually we want first is to be capable and brave managers on our farms, making the best out of our herd. And avoid milk discards.

Milk losses in dairy production stem from different critical factors.

Production diseases generate important economic losses. Among them, mastitis is recognized as the most impactful in terms of costs, followed by uterine issues, lameness and metabolic disorders. In these cases, losses are due to withdrawal periods for veterinary treatments.

Do the cows always really need to be treated? As already discussed, 85% of mastitis cases do not need the use of antibiotics since they are not severe – but from mild to moderate.

Thus, if milk cultures tell us we do not need antibiotics, we can decide for other revolutionary and innovative options. And, even before, a good approach to herd management should include preventive measures and a disease management plan.

How to dispose of the milk rejected from the tank due to withdrawal periods? Feeding calves with this milk is not a good option.

This milk can affect the microbiota in calves, with a negative impact on their health. And, as assessed by EFSA in 2015, it will lead to increased faecal shedding of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria by calves.

We will have an effect of this practice when we apply the slurry or manure to soil: the impact of antibiotic residues would be on microbiological and chemical balance of the soil, with negative consequences on soil life and methane emissions.

But this is a story to be told next time.

Bulk tank rejections by processor can also occur and it is usually due to antibiotic residue contamination detected at the plant gate. In this case, not compliant milk must be destroyed under veterinary supervision. Also, this often leads to penalties for dairy farmers.

Thus, use antibiotics when really necessary and ideally test the milk after the withdrawal period to be sure it is compliant to law.

Infrastructure issues, such as from the filter, buffer tank and washing through the pipes after milking, can lead to milk loss. From spills, accidents caused by lapses in management, when transferring milk to the tanker, or during power cuts, as well. Implementing strict management routines along with the aid of alarms and modern filters in the parlor system can help us reduce these losses.

And what about GHG emissions? A study conducted on Scottish dairy farms¹ showed a decrease by 0.6 and 3.1%, respectively, when milk losses from rejected milk and from farm infrastructure were reduced through improved management procedure and help from technology.

We implied “sustainability” throughout the post. Being a good manager on our dairy farms can really lead our business to be more sustainable for our animals, our profit, the environment, for the society.

Does it sound good?

¹March MD, Toma L, Thompson B and Haskell MJ (2019) Food Waste in Primary Production: Milk Loss With Mitigation Potentials. Front. Nutr. 6:173. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00173

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

Marketing 4 March 2021 News

Although the world has rightly focused attention on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic since the end of 2019, we have still one big challenge to face: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Sadly, the scientific literature is stressing how Covid-9 may worsen the development of AMR. Institutions worldwide have already put on paper strategies to tackle AMR, and some are now clearly defined by specific regulatory frameworks.

In May 2020, the European Commission adopted the Farm to Fork Strategy, which aims to help address the EU’s path towards sustainable food systems. With respect to AMR, the objective of the strategy is to halve overall EU sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 2030. Reg. (EU) n. 2019/6 on Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP Regulation), repealing Directive 2001/82/EC, is one of the regulatory tools that will support all the players in this process. It will be applicable from 28 January 2022 and one question now arises: are we from the livestock sector ready with effective strategies to comply with these new rules?

The VMP Regulation sets out rules for the sale, manufacture, import, export, supply, distribution, control and use of VMPs. It aims to: modernization of the regulatory framework; boost innovation in veterinary medicines; increase their availability and strengthen the EU’s campaign against AMR. It is one of the laws of a package designed for the improvement of animal and human health which includes other two relevant Regulations for livestock farming [Reg. (EU) n. 2019/4 on medicated feed and Reg. (EU) n. 2019/5 on procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines Agency].

In addition to clearly establishing the definition of veterinary medicinal products, among the key measures, the new law brings innovation into the legal framework since it specifies harmonized labelling requirements, adopts a simpler system for decisions on exceptions and a risk-based approach to pharmacovigilance. Important details are also defined for promoting availability of VMPs by stimulating innovation and competition.

Law harmonization usually makes changes to the way things are currently done, so will Reg. (EU) n. 2019/6: it will reinforce the EU’s strategy against AMR by introducing a ban on the preventive use of antibiotics in groups of animals (prophylaxis) and a ban on the preventive use of antimicrobials via medicated feed. It will bring restrictions on the use of antimicrobials as a control treatment (metaphylaxis) to prevent a further spread of infection, a reinforced ban on the use of antimicrobials for promoting growth and increasing yield in addition to the prohibition established in 2006. Moreover, it will reserve to humans only certain antimicrobials that are critical for them and the collection of data on sale and use of antimicrobials will be mandatory for EU countries. It will also establish several measures for the careful and responsible use of such products and science-based maximum limits for cross-contamination of feed with antimicrobials.

The international dimension of the development of AMR deserves attention: for this reason, for exports into the EU, non-EU countries will have to honor the ban on antimicrobials for promoting growth and increasing yield, as well as the restrictions on such products when specifically reserved for human use in the EU.

By setting such high standards of quality, safety, efficacy for VMPs, this Regulation intends to meet common concerns related to the protection of public and animal health and of the environment.

When it comes to changes such as those that will be introduced by Reg. (EU) n. 2016/9, less than 11 months is a pretty short range of time to get ready with solutions and tools that can contribute to reverse the pattern of the development of AMR. There is no doubt of the importance of joining our forces in a One-Health approach, helping livestock farmers to strengthen their ability to build the road towards the management of biosecurity in animals and farms.

At OZOLEA, we have been working hard for many years to be part of this big challenge and got experience from the field. Now, we are definitely ready to tackle AMR: are we in this together?

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Tackling antimicrobial resistance is of concern to the dairy sector: OZOLEA’s on board

Marketing 20 September 2020 News

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that threatens a century of progress in health and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”: the “No time to wait securing the future from drug-resistant infections” report, released by the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance in April 2019, could not have been more straightforward. Antimicrobial resistance is a concrete threat for humans, animals and the environment, and this is particularly due to the fact that the drivers and impact of AMR lie in humans, terrestrial and aquatic animals, plants, food, feed and the environment. All these elements are interconnected to each other; thus, a “One Health” approach is essential to address this challenge on several aspects. Why there is no time to wait?

because every year, drug-resistant diseases already cause at least 700,000 deaths globally; if no action is taken, this figure could increase to 10 million deaths globally per year by 2050;
because the economic damage of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance could be as dramatic as the experience we had during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis as a result of highly increased health care expenditures; impact on food and feed production, trade and livelihoods; and worsened poverty and inequality;
because if in higher-income countries a set of simple actions to address antimicrobial resistance could pay for itself, on the other hand, in lower-income countries, additional but still relatively modest investments are compellingly required.

Thus, tackling AMR must be a global effort to ensure animal and public health, food safety and environmental protection. It is an important mechanism since it limits the range of antimicrobial substances that can be used to treat infections with effectiveness. Reduced effectiveness of treatments can mean an increase in the prevalence and severity of disease in humans and animals, with consequent impact on animal welfare, human health, food safety and food security.

Although resistance is a natural mechanism, where resistance traits may be innately present in microbial populations or acquired by horizontal gene transfer, the irrational and not necessary use of antimicrobial substances is spurring the process. As a natural process, many factors (environmental stresses, chemical or other biological agents) may trigger these resistance traits, or these traits may be expressed under normal conditions. Chemical stressors include drugs, such as antibiotics. The prolonged or increased exposure to stressors leads to a selection of those microorganisms able to survive thanks to resistance genes, and this allows these microorganisms to proliferate and outcompete non-resistant microbes.

In general, antibiotics are essential “tools” for the treatment of infections, particularly those caused by bacteria. Therefore, when the moment requires the intervention with antibiotics, we cannot afford to stand still: we must act. In the dairy sector, the right approach in treating dairy cows affected by microbial infections must consider the ability of recognizing symptoms, thus, making a proper diagnosis. This implies the best advice made by a good veterinarian, but not only: the dairy farmer should be able to follow instructions related to dosage and standstill periods. Could this be enough? Not at all. When speaking of farming systems, and in general, food safety and biosecurity, preventive measures are our best performing weapons. These can really boost the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments, if strictly necessary, since they may minimize biological risks associated with microbial infections in dairy farms. As a consequence, reduced risks may correspond to a healthy and productive dairy herd, less milk waste, a safer milk for final consumers.

The global dairy position on antimicrobial resistance is pretty clear: as stated by the International Dairy Federation (IDF, which, since 1903, is a recognized international authority contributing actively to the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector), “tackling antimicrobial resistance in the dairy sector is a global effort to ensure animal and public health, and food safety”. The use of antimicrobials is only part of an animal health management programme aiming at limiting disease in animals and improve animal welfare: early detection of disease allows early intervention, thus minimizing the need of antibiotics.

Being at the forefront of the fight against antimicrobial resistance in the dairy sector, dairy farmers should not be left alone. They need professional support and advise in this great challenge we are all facing. In particular, optimal udder health in dairy cows is critical for a sustainable milk production from several point of view, including economic aspects. The adequate management of a dairy herd is fundamental also to control antibiotic use. In this context, OZOLEA, since its beginning, made a specific choice: sustainability. One of its goals is to be part of this big group of people, farmers, researchers, business operators who put lot of effort in tackling antibiotic resistance. Offering tailored solutions and alternatives, OZOLEA supports the use of rational antibiotics in dairy farms when no other solutions can be helpful and promotes any preventive actions and effective managements useful to avoid infections in dairy herds. A successful fight against antimicrobial resistance can be possible by applying comprehensive solutions: this would lead to a more sustainable, more productive, and more profitable dairy production.

The application of SafeMilk protocols, designed and promoted by OZOLEA, in combination with the use of OZOLEA’s products, have the potential to help the farmers in the fight of antibiotic resistance at a farm level. Applying SafeMilk protocols is a whole and complete farm management experience which means completely changing the approach to dairy farming. It is not a matter of charging farmers with further legal requirements or costs, since the more farmers rely on OZOLEA’s innovation, combining it with effective management in the farm, the more they will benefit in terms of less milk waste and less antibiotics purchase: thus, advantages that globally will make milk safer and more sustainable. A virtuous mechanism for the whole supply chain, up to the consumer. Find out more on SafeMilk project in this article.