withdrawal periods

The repeat breeding syndrome¹ is one of the most critical disorders in dairy cattle. Due to its multifactorial nature, it requires both good management and the right approach for its resolution. Repeat breeders rather suffer from reduced fertility than sterility.

In the last decades, fertility in dairy cattle has suffered a decline. Reproductive deficiency in dairy cows leads to increased involuntary culling. The consequences on profitability can be significant: thus, as repeat breeders represent both management and economic issues, implementing reproductive strategies is fundamental.

On farms, the presence of 3-5% of repeat breeders in the herd can be considered not critical. Higher numbers of repeat breeders should push the dairy farmer to a general revision of fertility management. Lower percentages should likewise raise concerns, as they indicate that the herd is not at its optimum productive potential.

There are several reasons increasing the chances for a cow to become a repeat breeder. Poor management is one of these reasons, in particular:

improper estrus detection;
inadequate timing of insemination or inseminating cows not in estrus;
not strictly following resynchronization protocols;
inadequate semen storage, handling and application;
improper environmental management and cow comfort;
poor nutrition management across the different stages of lactation and in the transition period;
infertile herd sires and bulls in case of natural service;
occurrence of health issues (mastitis, lameness, etc.).

In case of lacking management, there will be an intensive work to do to improve the conditions on farms².

Problems related to the reproductive tract can increase the chance of repeat breeding in cows. In particular, attention should be paid to:

infections (of the uterus – metritis, endometritis, cervical and vaginal infections, other diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa);
endocrine and ovulation impairments;
anatomical defects of the reproductive tract;
poor oocyte quality;
early embryonic or fetal death.

When the cause of repeat breeding is poor fertility, reproductive management tools are useful. For instance, the transfer of embryos into lactating dairy cattle has shown to be beneficial for fertility improvement. However, it represents an expensive and labor-intensive approach economically justifiable only on certain dairy farms.

Along with good herd management, innovative and no-withdrawal tools can be suitable for decreasing the number of repeat breeders in dairy herds.

OZOLEA has developed OZOLEA-METR, an intra-uterine veterinary device to be used in case of minor uterine issues.

The use of OZOLEA-METR in repeat breeder cows represent a valuable approach to improve fertility and boost productivity. OZOLEA-METR must be applied 24 hours after insemination, when the embryo is forming in the tubes but before it descends towards the uterus for implantation.

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.

¹ Acting on repeat breeder cows to increase herd productivity.

https://www.ozolea.it/acting-on-repeat-breeder-cows-to-increase-herd-productivity/

² The fundamental steps towards reproductive efficiency.

https://www.ozolea.it/the-fundamental-steps-towards-reproductive-efficiency/

Cover image: Ph. lhannemann. Image available here.

The need for reducing antimicrobials is getting stronger worldwide. While we are focusing on the pandemic, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is still an urgent issue.

Global trends on the use of antimicrobials from 2015 to 2017 indicate that an overall decrease in antimicrobial quantities was observed with a 34% decrease of mg/kg from 2015 to 2017. This positive trend reflects a more prudent use of antimicrobials in the animal health sector. However, further efforts are needed.

In addition to the fight against AMR, animal health, animal welfare and farmers’ profit must be protected.

OZOLEA aims at supporting dairy farmers in their path towards dairy sustainability. Improving herd management and prevention on farms is part of this path: for these reasons, OZOLEA created OZOLEA-MAST.

OZOLEA-MAST is an intra-mammary and non-pharmaceutical veterinary device for the use in dairy cows, during lactation and for drying-off. It is a no-withdrawal solution when dealing with udder issues; moreover, thanks to its versatility, it can be applied both in conventional and organic dairy farming.

We can use OZOLEA-MAST in all those situations requiring a support to the udder tissue. By intervening promptly, the farmer can reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics.

To allow the proper application of OZOLEA-MAST in all these situations, OZOLEA created nine different protocols. Let’s have a complete overview of each of them.

Altered milk and presence of milk flakes

Detecting the first signs of mastitis (milk flakes, altered milk, etc.) while forestripping the milk is one of the most effective approaches to reduce antibiotic usage. For a prompt intervention in this case, OZOLEA defined the SSafeMILK Protocol M1. Find out more: Early detection of mastitis: signs at cow, udder and milk level.

Use in post-partum

The first days after calving represent a delicate moment for the cow, since she has just gone through intensive physiological and metabolic changes. Thus, a higher susceptibility to infections exists. In case of signs of tissue imbalance and no infections, we can support and protect the udder tissue with OZOLEA-MAST and the SSafeMILK Protocol M2. Find out more: Taking care of the cow’s udder in post-partum.

Somatic cell counts: high and chronically high values

Somatic cell count (SCC) is a key element for economic decisions on farms. Depending on the causes generating high or chronically high SCCs, OZOLEA-MAST can be applied in both cases. To facilitate its application, OZOLEA defined the SSafeMILK Protocol M3. Here a focus: Dealing with chronically high SCCs in dairy cows.

Recurrent mastitis

The recurrence of mastitis makes the disease hard to control. How can OZOLEA-MAST be beneficial in this case? Physical udder tissue support and protection, along with improved herd management practices, is the answer. In this case, we will follow the indications reported in the SSafeMILK Protocol M4. More details here: Recurrent mastitis, persistent events or reinfections?.

Severe mastitis or relapse, while waiting for sensitivity test results

The results of antibiogram testing are not immediate. While waiting for them, we can consider the application of OZOLEA-MAST along with the SSafeMILK Protocol M5. In this case, seeking for veterinary advice is fundamental, since this protocol has no no therapeutic effect. Find out more: Clinical examination, milk culture and antibiogram: the ABCs for proper antibiotic therapy decision.

Right after antibiotic treatments

Supporting the integrity of the mammary tissue can be beneficial also in case of full-blown mastitis. Considering that epithelial cells play a role in natural defense mechanisms, the reason lies in the improved synergy between the antibiotic and the target tissue. OZOLEA-MAST can be used in this case following the instructions reported in the SSafeMILK Protocol M6. Here more info: Supporting the integrity of the mammary tissue for the efficacy of the antibiotic.

Changes of electrical conductivity values

Limiting the use of antibiotics is facilitated in automatic milking systems (AMS) thanks to sensors that detect slight changes at milk, udder and cow level. One simple parameter is electrical conductivity (EC): OZOLEA created the SSafeMILK Protocol M7 for an even prompter intervention. More info here: Proper use of data from robotic milking systems for antibiotic reduction.

The use of OZOLEA-MAST for drying off cows

Particularly in the EU, transition to selective dry cow therapy for drying-off cows is now mandatory. Thus, in case of eligible herds, we can use OZOLEA-MAST also in this case following the indication of the SSafeMILK Protocol M8. We discussed this issue here: Selective dry cow treatment: field data for the use of OZOLEA-MAST.

Moreover, when the lactation history of a cow indicates that no issue occured at quarter level, we can think of a selective dry cow procedure with OZOLEA-MAST, by following the instructions of the SSafeMILK protocol M9 (Udder at dry-off: selective dry cow treatment quarter by quarter). To get more info: How individual somatic cell count can help us opt for selective dry cow treatment.

Cover Image: Ph. Amélie Tsaag Valren. Image available here.