less antibiotics

Somatic cell count (SCC) represents a well-established indicator for udder health, highlighting potential intra-mammary-infections, and a milk quality parameter.

Previously, we discussed the impact of different levels of SCC on farmers’ and processors’ profitability¹ and saw that there is a clear advantage if bulk tank SCC is reduced to lower levels, in terms of milk quality, profit and efficiency.

The current climate and economic scenario are stressing once again that efficiency and improved management in dairy farming are vital to survive and allow the reduction of milk losses. Global sustainability is everyone’s main goal.

In this context, working efficiently to lower herd SCC requires improved strategies and useful tools to benefit both economic aspects and milk production.

In a recent study, Chen and colleagues² estimated the recoverable milk quantity and profit per cow for dairy herds that move from one herd average SCC value to a lower one. General findings showed that as SCC increased, milk yield decreased. Milk yields decreased also per increased days in milk. There was also an effect due to the season (warmer months generated lower milk loss – 0.4 kg per day for first lactation cows and 0.7 for higher parity cows).

What was the estimated benefit of reducing bulk tank SCC?

At farm level, the calculated annual benefit of a reduction in bulk tank SCC of 100,000 cells/ml was $58 (Canadian dollars) per cow associated with reduced milk loss, which is less than the estimated annual cost ($662) of mastitis for a sample herd in Canada.

Such an improvement can be achieved through effective prevention strategies.

Along with efficient management, OZOLEA provides dairy farmers with an innovative no-withdrawal tool, OZOLEA-MAST. It is a veterinary device intended for intra-mammary use in dairy cows.

OZOLEA-MAST can help lower high and chronically high SCCs, depending on the causes leading to such high values. As a matter of fact, OZOLEA-MAST allows the mammary tissue to autonomously regenerate, thus improving udder functionality. The result of tissue regeneration is a reduction in epithelial flaking (flaking cells) and a better defensive action against pathogens. This is due to better performance of the improved tissue condition.

To support the efficacy of OZOLEA-MAST at its best, OZOLEA provides dairy farmers with the right protocol in this situation (Protocol M3 – Udder, lactation: chronically high somatic cell count³).

Improving SCC in dairy cows means extending the functional longevity, keeping high production performance, and reducing the occurrence of severe mastitis cases on farms. Why not try OZOLEA-MAST, then?

References

¹ Somatic cell count: to what extent does it affect the dairy sector profitability?

https://www.ozolea.it/somatic-cell-count-to-what-extent-does-it-affect-the-dairy-sector-profitability/

² Chen, H. & Weersink, Alfons & Kelton, D.F. & von Massow, Michael. (2021). Estimating milk loss based on somatic cell count at the cow and herd level. Journal of Dairy Science. 104. Doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-18517.

³ Dealing with chronically high SCCs in dairy cows.

https://www.ozolea.it/dealing-with-chronically-high-sccs-in-dairy-cows/

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.

less antibiotics

Diverting the route of milk losses caused by high somatic cells

References

How to reduce antibiotics used to treat uterine diseases?

References