Influence of attitudes and behavior of milkers on the hygienic and sanitary quality of milk

Comparing the Performance of Automatic Milking Systems through Dynamic Testing Also Helps to Identify Potential Risk Factors for Mastitis

Automatic milking systems (AMSs) are revolutionizing the dairy industry by boosting herd efficiency, primarily through an increased milk yield per cow and reduced labor costs. The performance of milking machines, whether traditional or automated, can be evaluated using advanced vacuum meters through dynamic testing. This process involves scrutinizing the system and milking routine to identify critical points, utilizing the VaDia™ logger (BioControl AS, Rakkestad, Norway). Vacuum recordings were downloaded and analyzed using the VaDia Suite™ software under the guidance of a milking specialist. Access to data from AMSs across various manufacturers and herds facilitated a retrospective study aimed at describing and comparing key milk emission parameters for different AMS brands while identifying potential mastitis risk factors. Using the proper statistical procedures of SPSS 29.1 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), researchers analyzed data from 4878 individual quarter milkings from cows in 48 dairy herds. Results indicated a significant variability in milking parameters associated with quarter milk yield and AMS brand. Notably, despite AMSs standardizing teat preparation and stimulation, this study revealed a surprisingly high frequency of two major mastitis risk factors-bimodality and irregular vacuum fluctuations-occurring more frequently than in conventional milking systems. This study, one of the few comparing different AMS brands and their performance, highlights the crucial role of dynamic testing in evaluating AMS performance under real-world conditions.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and risk factors associated with high total bacterial count in bulk tank milk from dairy farms in Colombia

The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and genetic characteristics of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. and the risk factors associated with a high total bacterial count in bulk tank milk samples of dairy farms in three municipalities of the Antioquia Department, Colombia. Fifteen samples were positive for E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Subsequent analysis of the 16 S rRNA gene sequences confirmed these isolates included E. coli (n = 3), K. oxytoca (n = 11), and K. pneumoniae (n = 1). None of the isolates was positive for ESBL identification by phenotypic methods, but the only the isolate of K. pneumoniae was positive for the blaSHV61 gene by sequence analysis. The antibiotic susceptibility evaluation for all Klebsiella spp. isolates identified resistance to fosfomycin (50%; 6/12) and ampicillin (100%; 12/12). While most of the herds maintain adequate hygienic quality, specific risk factors such as having more than 60 milking cows, frequent changes in milkers, milking in paddocks, and using a chlorinated product for pre-dipping have been identified as associated with a high total bacterial count > 100,000 CFU/mL in bulk tank milk. However, certain variables including the milker being the owner of the animals and the proper washing and disinfection of the milking machine contribute to maintain a high level of hygiene and quality in the raw milk stored in the tanks. In conclusion, the frequency of ESBL producers was relatively low, with only K. pneumoniae testing positive for the blaSHV ESBL type. The presence of these bacteria in milk tanks represents a potential risk to public health for consumers of raw milk and its derivatives.

Consumption and Informal Trade of Milk in the North of Antioquia (Colombia)

The excessive and irrational use of antibiotics to control bovine mastitis and the informal trade in milk with antibiotic residues are objects of great interest for public health, due to the problems associated with the consumption of milk with antibiotic residues on human, animal, and environmental health, and antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to understand the attitudes of dairy farmers towards the self-consumption of milk on the farm, the use of milk with antibiotic residues, and the formal and informal milk trade that generates risks for public health. Mixed methods: cross-sectional and grounded theory. Convergent triangulation design. The study was carried out in 9 dairy municipalities in the North of Antioquia, where 216 dairy farmers participated in the quantitative component; and 17 milk producers and 9 veterinarians took part in the qualitative component. A dairy farmer characterization survey was conducted, as well as a survey on the use and marketing of milk from cows with udder health problems and/or under antibiotic treatment. Semistructured interviews were conducted on the same subject. The variable "Intention to sell milk in the village when the dairy industry does not buy it due to high BTSCC" is associated with the BTSCC variable. The variable "Type of marketing reported" is associated with the CFU variable. 5 categories: self-consumption of milk, use of milk with antibiotics, informal milk trade, control of the dairy industry, and beliefs about the elimination of antibiotics in milk, were constructed to theorize about udder health and public health. Sociocultural, political, and economic factors affect decision making in dairy farmers regarding the use and marketing of milk from cows with mastitis and antibiotic residues. These attitudes and behaviors have public health implications.

Trust and reciprocity norms in the analysis of social capital related to udder health. A mixed methods approach with dairy farmers and veterinarians from the north of Antioquia

Understanding trust between dairy farmers and other actors in the dairy chain, as well as the reciprocity norms among them are fundamental to encouraging collective action and decision-making to improve milk production and udder health. The objective of this study was to understand the relationships of trust between dairy farmers and other actors in the dairy chain related to udder health in the north of Antioquia. Mixed methods (cross-sectional and grounded theory) with a convergent triangulation design were used. A total of 216 dairy farmers participated in the quantitative component, and 17 dairy farmers and 9 veterinarians in the qualitative component, they were located in 9 milk-producing municipalities in the north of Antioquia. A characterization survey of the dairy farmers, a survey on reliability and udder health, an analysis of each farm's annual average BTSCC and CFU, and semi-structured interviews on the same topic were conducted. Problems were found in the biological indicators of udder health on the farms: BTSCC was poor for 67% of the dairy farmers, and CFU was poor for 22% of the dairy farmers. Veterinarians are the actors whom dairy farmers trust the most. Trust in dairy chain actors is complex, variable, and depends on many aspects. Trust representation, Socio-cultural Factors, Economic and Commercial Factors, Labor, Clinical and Laboratory Conditions of Milk, and Norms of Reciprocity constitute the categories of analysis when theorizing about trust and udder health. Each of the theoretical and emerging categories in this study describes actors, attitudes, behaviors, relationships between actors, and norms, allowing us to understand that trust between dairy farmers and other actors in the dairy chain in order to face the problems of udder health and milk production depends on technical processes, individual and collective human attitudes and behaviors, supply of services, political, regulative and economic determinants, the latter being transcendental in decision-making to invest in mastitis control and udder health care.

Milk Quality Conceptualization: A Systematic Review of Consumers', Farmers', and Processing Experts' Views

Milk consumption has traditionally been recognized as a fundamental element of global dietary patterns due to its perceived nutritional advantages. Nonetheless, a substantial decrease in milk consumption has been identified within diverse populations in recent times. Specifically, consumers' expectations and representations of milk quality have undergone notable transformations, contributing to the observed reduction in consumption. The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a comprehensive examination and categorization of the conceptual attributes associated with milk quality, considering the representations of citizen-consumers, farmers, and processing experts. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The titles and abstracts of 409 articles were screened, and 20 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The results demonstrate the existence of a dual articulation in the conceptual definition of milk quality. Farmers and processing experts exhibited a relatively similar representation of milk quality, focusing on technical indicators. In contrast, citizen-consumers held more simplistic and subjective concepts that are challenging to quantify. This study emphasized the critical need for establishing a platform for communication and knowledge exchange to foster shared representations and expectations regarding milk quality.

Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. prevalence in bulk tank milk of Colombian herds and associated milking practices

Background and Aim

Bovine mastitis is one of the most costly and prevalent diseases in dairy herds, which can be prevented and controlled through proper milking practices, diagnosis, and elimination of chronic animals, among others. Contagious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and environmental pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. can affect cows and milk for human consumption, generating a public health risk. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of herds with somatic cell count (SCC) ≥200,000 cells/mL, S. aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp., in bulk tank milk (BTM) and its associated risk factors in Colombian dairy cow herds.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional probabilistic study was carried out in 150 dairy herds located in the north of the Antioquia province. A single visit per herd was conducted, during which three BTM samples were aseptically collected. General data and milking practices were collected through an epidemiological survey applied in each herd.

Results

The prevalence of S. aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. were 14% (21/150), 2% (3/150), and 8% (12/150), respectively. Moreover, 95% of the herds presented an SCC of ≥200,000 cells/mL. Practices such as in-paddock milking, change of milker during the last month, use of disposable gloves, and hand disinfection were associated with increased prevalence of S. aureus, whereas proper dipping was a protective factor. Proper washing and disinfection of the milking machine, use of chlorinated disinfectants for hand hygiene, and use of disposable gloves decreased the prevalence of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Bulk tank SCC increased in herds with 30-60 milking cows, herds with >60 milking cows, and herds with a change of milker during the last month. Hand disinfection and dipping decreased the SCC.

Conclusion

Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. were prevalent in BTM from dairy cow herds. The risk of S. aureus isolation was higher in herds with an in-paddock milking system. The risk of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolation were higher in herds with >60 milking cows, with a change of milker during the last month. Processes such as avoiding changing the milker and greater control in medium and large herds could improve the SCC in BTM.

Raw cow milk nutritional content and microbiological quality predictors of South Gondar zone dairy farmers in Ethiopia, 2020

Background

Raw milk is a good growth medium for microbes because of its neutral pH and nutrient content. In Ethiopia; few studies were done to assess the microbial quality of raw cow milk. But, none of them focused on the nutrient content of raw cow milk. Therefore; this study aimed at evaluating raw cow milk nutrient content and predictors of microbial quality of raw cow milk among milk in the dairy farmers of South Gondar zone (SGZ), Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2020. 160 randomly selected raw cow milk, water, and utensil samples each were collected for microbial analysis. Besides, nutrient content indicators such as TotalSolid (TS), and Specific Gravity (SG) were analyzed from milk samples. Sequentially, The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of millers were also assessed using a pretested structured questionnaire. Chi-square test and multiple linear regression models were used.

Results

The overall mean SG and TS of raw cow milk were 1.027 (95% CI, 1.013-1.039) and 12.55% (95%CI, 12.20%-12.89%) respectively.38.13% had the better nutrient content, and the rest, 61.87% of raw cow milk hadn't the better nutrient content. Besides, the mean (SD) in log CFU/100mL-1of the Escherichia coli count of raw cow milk was 15 (0.3). Educational status, milk handling experience, KAP of milkers, water microbial count, Nutrient content, and microbial load of milk utensils were independently predicted microbial quality of raw cow milk.

Conclusions and implications

The result signifies that the raw cow milk hadn't better nutrient content and the educational status and KAP of milkers, and the qualities of water were the major factors affecting the microbial quality of raw cow milk. It could greatly affect the Food and Nutrition Security of the country. Hence, measures should be taken to enhance the KAP of milkers for improving this enteropathy.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk in East Java, Indonesia

Background and Aim

Raw milk can be a source of food-borne disease transmission and a medium for spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are bacteria that have the pathogenic ability to attack host cells and are capable of harboring antibiotic-resistant genes. This study estimated the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of S. aureus and E. coli isolated from raw milk in East Java, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred and fifty raw milk samples were collected from five dairy farms in East Java. S. aureus and E. coli were isolated using their respective selective media, whereas antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was confirmed using the oxacillin resistance screen agar test, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli was determined using the double-disk synergy test. The presence of mecA and blaTEM genes were screened by the polymerase chain reaction method.

Results

Results indicated that the prevalence of S. aureus was 138 (55.2%) and that E. coli was 176 (70.4%). Of the 138 S. aureus isolated, 27 (19.6%) were MRSA, and among the 176 E. coli isolates identified, 3 (1.7%) were ESBL producers. The mecA gene was observed in 2 (7.4%) MRSA and all 3 (100%) ESBL-producing E. coli isolated harbored blaTEM genes.

Conclusion

The presence of MRSA and ESBL-producing E. coli in raw milk is a serious public health threat, and public awareness should be raised about the dangers posed by these pathogenic organisms.

Pathogenic bacteria in cheese, raw and pasteurised milk

Background

Foodborne diseases, especially those transmitted by milk and its products, are worldwide problem. Milk is not only a complete food but also a unique medium for activating various bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. In recent years, numerous bacteria with multiple drug resistance patterns have appeared, and there have been many problems in infection control. Today, ranchers use antibiotics for control of the animal disease, and humans are constantly using animal products containing antibiotics.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contamination status of raw and pasteurised milk as well as local cheese and to find a rapid Multiplex PCR method for investigation of contamination. Determination of antibiotic resistant isolates is also desirable.

Materials and Methods

One hundred samples were collected from livestock and retail outlets using culture and molecular methods to identify S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and S. typhi. The antibiotic resistance pattern was determined for the isolates.

Results

In this study, culture results for 100 samples showed 10% S. aureus isolates while no cases of S. typhi and L. monocytogenes were detected. In real‐time qPCR, S. aureus was isolated in 60% (n = 60) of samples, S. typhi in 53% (n = 53) and L. monocytogenes in 2% (n = 2). The results of sensitivity and specificity of Multiplex PCR for the three studied bacteria indicated general specificity of 72% and sensitivity of 80%.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that S. typhi, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus are more likely to be detected by real‐time qPCR because of the high sensitivity of this test to culture. Multiplex method was not reliable in this study and cannot be suggested for rapid diagnosis.

Microbial quality of raw cow milk and its predictors along the dairy value chain in Southwest Ethiopia

Raw milk may contain pathogenic microorganism that can seriously affect the health of consumers. In Southwest Ethiopia, raw cow milk is consumed more than the processed products, but its microbiological quality and its predictors are not studied well. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial quality of raw cow milk and its predictors along the dairy value chain in Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 150 milk and 300 environmental samples were collected randomly from dairy farms, milk distribution centers, and retailer outlets for microbiological analysis using standard protocols. One milk handler from each milk production or distribution stage was also interviewed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding milk handling. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were used to summarize the data and to identify predictors of milk microbial quality, respectively. As the milk transported from dairy farm to milk retailer outlet, the mean total bacterial count has increased from 5.0 ± 0.3 to 7.2 ± 0.1 log CFU/ml respectively. The mean coliform count of the milk sample was 4.4 ± 0.4 log CFU/ml at the dairy farm and 7.0 ± 0.2 log CFU/ml at milk selling points, indicating the deterioration of milk quality along the dairy value chain. All of the analyzed water samples were positive for fecal coliform bacteria. The highest coliform bacteria were reported from milk storage equipment found at milk retailer outlet with the count of 4.8 ± 0.5 log CFU/ml. Educational status and attitude of milk handlers and the quality of water used to wash milk equipment and hands of milk handlers were the major factors affecting the microbial quality of raw cow milk. The findings of this study revealed that the microbial quality of raw milk in the study area was poor. Hence, improving the attitude and educational status of milk handlers, and the quality of water is an important step to enhance milk quality and consequently to prevent milk borne diseases.

Welfare Issues on Israeli Dairy Farms: Attitudes and Awareness of Farm Workers and Veterinary Practitioners

Simple Summary

Animal welfare science embraces all factors that might affect the physical and emotional state of the animal, its ability to cope, and its overall quality of life. In recent years, awareness of farm animal welfare has increased among veterinary practitioners—a major professional figure influencing a farm’s routine, farm workers, consumers, and the general public. In particular, the farm worker’s knowledge of animal welfare is an essential component of the rearing system. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes toward and awareness of select animal welfare issues among farm workers and practitioners. A survey was performed based on anonymous questionnaires filled out by dairy farm workers and veterinary practitioners. The results demonstrated that farm workers’ enjoyment of their work is of great importance, as is their cows’ welfare. The survey showed the farm workers’ awareness of their influence on the cow during milking, the effects of stress on milk production, and the possible effect of human behavior on heifers and cows. The main areas where animal welfare might be improved were farmers’ awareness of learning, memory, and pain masking in cattle, and knowledge transfer from veterinary practitioners to the farm workers. The survey answers further emphasized the crucial importance of communication and understanding between farm workers and their practitioners.

Abstract

Attitudes toward practical dairy cow welfare issues were evaluated based on a questionnaire answered by 500 dairy farm workers and 27 veterinary practitioners. Primarily, the effect of demographic characteristics on attitudes toward cattle welfare was tested. Professionally, five themes were identified: effect of welfare awareness on productivity, knowledge of cattle’s senses and social structure, effects of man–animal interactions on milk yield, pain perception and prevention, and knowledge transfer from veterinary practitioners to farm workers. Farms with a higher welfare awareness score also had higher annual milk yield, with an annual mean difference of 1000 L of milk per cow between farms with higher and lower awareness scores. Veterinary practitioners showed high awareness of cows’ social structure, senses, and pain perception. Farm workers were aware of the influence of man–animal interactions during milking and stress effects on milk yield, and the possible effect of man’s behavior on heifers and cows. Practitioners and farm workers had different views regarding pain perception, mostly involving mutilation procedures. All veterinary practitioners advocated the use of pain alleviation in painful procedures, but only some of them instructed the farm workers to administer it. The survey results emphasize the variation in welfare knowledge and practical applications across farms, and the interest of both the animals and their managers to improve applied knowledge of best practice.

Bulk tank milk quality data is unlikely to give useful information about dairy cow welfare at herd level

This research communication explores the value of routinely collected bulk tank milk quality data for estimating dairy cattle welfare at herd level. Selected bulk tank milk quality parameters (somatic cell count, total bacterial count, urea, protein and fat contents) recorded during the years 2014-2016 in 287 Italian dairy farms were compared with the animal welfare data of each farm. The welfare assessment data were extracted from the database of the Italian Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), which includes the outputs of the application of the CReNBA welfare assessment protocol for dairy cows, used at national level for on-farm controls. The statistical analysis was carried out using the correlation coefficient for Kendall's Tau ranks, in order to investigate the presence of a categoric relationship between the selected bulk tank milk quality parameters and the overall animal welfare score or the scores of the single areas A (farm management and staff training), B (housing) and C (animal-based measures). Somatic cell count, total bacterial count, urea and proteins demonstrated only a few statistically significant and very weak correlations with farm animal welfare data, while no significant correlations were obtained for milk fat content. Given the weak correlations found, the selected bulk tank milk parameters seems to be able to provide only limited information about the welfare level of the herd, thus it could be difficult to use them for drawing up a pre-screening model for identifying herds at risk of poor welfare.

Relationship between the dissemination of small ruminant lentivirus infection in goat herds and opinion of farmers on the occurrence of arthritis

Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection manifests itself mainly with chronic progressive arthritis affecting mainly carpal joints. The data from serological and questionnaire surveys were retrospectively analyzed to determine how the dissemination of SRLV infection in the herd influenced farmer's subjective opinion on the occurrence of swelling of carpal joints (considered as a proxy of arthritis). Between 1996 and 2017 153 different Polish dairy goat herds counting at least 20 adult goats were serologically screened for CAE and their owners were asked about their opinion on the occurrence of arthritis (never, rarely, often). Of them 73 SRLV-seropositive herds, in which true seroprevalence had been estimated, were included in the analysis. The ordinal logistic regression model was developed to determine the relationship between the true within-herd seroprevalence and the probability that the farmer would observe arthritis in the herd never, rarely or often. True within-herd seroprevalence ranged from 0.2% to 100% with the median of 34.6%. Farmers declared not to have observed arthritis in 40 (54.8%) herds, to have seen it rarely in 9 (12.3%) of herds, and to have observed it often in 24 (32.9%) of herds. The model proved that the probability of observing goats with carpal arthritis in the herd was significantly linked to the true within-herd seroprevalence (OR = 1.058, CI 95% from 1.037 to 1.078; p<0.001), but this relationship was not linear and SRLV infection proved to remain unapparent to farmers even when a considerable part of the herd had already become infected. Concluding, the study shows that when the farmer realizes that goats in the herd suffer from arthritis, SRLV infection is almost certainly already widespread in the herd.