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Sun X, Zhao R, Wang X, Wu Y, Yang D, Wang J, Wu Z, Wang N, Zhang J, Xiao B, Chen J, Huang F, Chen A. A smartphone-based diagnostic analyzer for point-of-care milk somatic cell counting. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1304:342540. [PMID: 38637050 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mastitis, a pervasive and detrimental disease in dairy farming, poses a significant challenge to the global dairy industry. Monitoring the milk somatic cell count (SCC) is vital for assessing the incidence of mastitis and the quality of raw cow's milk. However, existing SCC detection methods typically require large-scale instruments and specialized operators, limiting their application in resource-constrained settings such as dairy farms and small-scale labs. To address these limitations, this study introduces a novel, smartphone-based, on-site SCC testing method that leverages smartphone capabilities for milk somatic cell identification and enumeration, offering a portable and user-friendly testing platform. RESULTS The central findings of our study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for counting milk somatic cells. Its on-site applicability, facilitated by the microfluidic chip, optical system, and smartphone integration, heralds a paradigm shift in point-of-care testing (POCT) for dairy farms and smaller laboratories. This approach bypasses complex processing and presents a user-friendly solution for real-time SCC monitoring in resource-limited settings. This device boasts several unique features: small size, low cost (<$1,000 total manufacturing cost and <$1 per test), and high accuracy. Remarkably, it delivers test results within just 2 min. Actual-sample testing confirmed its consistency with results from the commercial Bentley FTS/FCM cytometer, affirming the reliability of the proposed method. Overall, these results underscore the potential for transformative change in dairy farm management and laboratory testing practices. SIGNIFICANCE In summary, this study concludes that the proposed smartphone-based method significantly contributes to the accessibility and ease of SCC testing in resource-limited environments. By fostering the use of POCT technology in food safety control, particularly in the dairy industry, this innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the monitoring and management of mastitis, ultimately benefiting the global dairy sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Sun
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Ruiming Zhao
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Xianhua Wang
- Beijing BETA Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101300, China.
| | - Yunlong Wu
- Beijing BETA Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101300, China.
| | - Degang Yang
- Beijing BETA Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101300, China.
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Beijing BETA Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101300, China.
| | - Zhihong Wu
- Beijing BETA Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101300, China.
| | - Nan Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Juan Zhang
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Bin Xiao
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jiaci Chen
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Fengchun Huang
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Ailiang Chen
- Institute of Quality Standard & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Tommasoni C, Fiore E, Lisuzzo A, Gianesella M. Mastitis in Dairy Cattle: On-Farm Diagnostics and Future Perspectives. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2538. [PMID: 37570346 PMCID: PMC10417731 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mastitis is one of the most important diseases in dairy cattle farms, and it can affect the health status of the udder and the quantity and quality of milk yielded. The correct management of mastitis is based both on preventive and treatment action. With the increasing concern for antimicrobial resistance, it is strongly recommended to treat only the mammary quarters presenting intramammary infection. For this reason, a timely and accurate diagnosis is fundamental. The possibility to detect and characterize mastitis directly on farm would be very useful to choose the correct management protocol. Some on-field diagnostic tools are already routinely applied to detect mastitis, such as the California Mastitis Test and on-farm culture. Other instruments are emerging to perform a timely diagnosis and to characterize mastitis, such as Infra-Red Thermography, mammary ultrasound evaluation and blood gas analysis, even if their application still needs to be improved. The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of the methods currently used to control, detect, and characterize mastitis in dairy cows, in order to perform a timely diagnosis and to choose the most appropriate management protocol, with a specific focus on on-farm diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tommasoni
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (E.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
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3
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More SJ, Madden JM, McAloon CI. Prescribing and sales of intramammary antimicrobials in Ireland in 2019 and 2020: the role of milk purchasers. Ir Vet J 2022; 75:20. [PMCID: PMC9675076 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-022-00227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Ireland between 2008 and 2022, intramammary antimicrobial (AM) products could be prescribed by a veterinary practitioner under what was known as Schedule 8 (or remote) prescribing. Under this prescribing route, an annual herd visit was not required when criteria were met as outlined in Animal Remedies Regulation 2007 to 2017 (statutory instruments No. 786/2007 and 558/2017). Under this prescribing route, the responsibilities of the milk purchaser, the farmer and the veterinary practitioner were each outlined, and a written mastitis control programme (MCP) was required. Milk purchasers implemented MCPs on participating farms (so-called MCP herds) with support from veterinary practitioner(s) who undertook Schedule 8 prescribing of intramammary AM tubes. This study seeks a clearer understanding of the role of milk purchasers in the prescribing and sale of intramammary AM products in Ireland during 2019 and 2020, whilst this Regulation was in force. Specifically, the study sought insights into the role of milk purchasers in the prescribing and sale of intramammary AM products in the Irish dairy industry during 2019 and 2020, using anonymised and highly aggregated milk purchaser data. The study also provided insights into milk quality among supplying herds during this period. Methods For this study, we had access to anonymised, highly aggregated data from all milk purchasers that operated a MCP on at least some of their supplying herds during 2019 or 2020. Data collection was undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. Data analysis was primarily descriptive. Results Data were available on 11 milk purchasers (64.7% of all) and 13,251 supplying herds. Of these, 52% were MCP herds. The quality of milk from supplying herds varied significantly by month, year and milk purchaser. During 2019 and 2020, there was a single Schedule 8 prescriber (a private veterinary practitioner prescribing intramammary AMs as part of a MCP), on average, for 549.3 herds. The sale of intramammary AM products through milk purchasers represented 15.2% and 26.9% of national sales in in-lactation and dry cow tubes, respectively. There was an overall 2% increase in sales through milk purchasers between 2019 and 2020. Few European Medicines Agency (EMA) category B (‘Restrict’) intramammary AM products were sold by milk purchasers. For both in-lactation and dry cow tubes, there was a statistically significant association between EMA classification and route of sale (through milk purchasers or otherwise). Conclusions The study findings provide important insights into mastitis control and intramammary AM stewardship in the Irish dairy industry. Significant differences between milk purchasers were observed in the quality of milk, as measured through somatic cell count (SCC) values, from supplying herds. This warrants further research. In the context of intramammary AM prescribing, veterinary oversight under the Animal Remedies Regulation 2007 to 2017 was very limited during 2019 and 2020. There were also significant associations between EMA classification and route of sale during 2019 and 2020, reinforcing the need for Irish veterinary practitioners to move away from EMA category B intramammary AMs. Higher quality data are needed to address important industry questions. Specifically it is recommended that national bulk tank SCC data are made available for public good research. Past experiences with Schedule 8 prescribing (no longer permitted from 28 January 2022) may influence current efforts towards improved intramammary AM stewardship. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13620-022-00227-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. More
- grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6 Ireland ,grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Belfield D04 W6F6 Ireland
| | - Jamie M. Madden
- grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6 Ireland
| | - Catherine I. McAloon
- grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Belfield D04 W6F6 Ireland
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Guzmán-Luna P, Nag R, Martínez I, Mauricio-Iglesias M, Hospido A, Cummins E. Quantifying current and future raw milk losses due to bovine mastitis on European dairy farms under climate change scenarios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155149. [PMID: 35421482 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bovine mastitis is an infectious disease that causes udder inflammation and is responsible for raw milk losses across European dairy farms. It is associated with reduced cow milk yield and contributes to elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in raw milk. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent mastitis pathogens that cause subclinical and clinical mastitis and can be present as a coloniser bacterium in cows. Climate change and geographical variability may influence the prevalence of this pathogen. Thus, this research aimed to predict the raw milk losses in three major dairy-producing regions across Europe (i.e. Mediterranean, Atlantic and Continental) under climate change scenarios. An exposure assessment model and a stepwise probabilistic model were developed to predict potential cow milk yield reduction, S. aureus and SCC concentrations in the bulk tank milk at dairy farms. Baseline (i.e. present) and future climate change scenarios were defined, and the resultant concentrations of SCC and S. aureus were compared to the actual European regulatory limits. Across the three regions, raw milk losses ranged from 1.06% to 2.15% in the baseline. However, they increased up to 3.21% in the climate change scenarios when no on-farm improvements were considered. Regarding geographical variation, the highest potential milk losses were reported for the Mediterranean and the lowest for the Continental region. Concerning the fulfilment of the regulatory limits, the mean of S. aureus and SCC levels in milk did not exceed them either in any region or scenario. Nevertheless, when looking at percentiles, the 10th percentile remained above the limits of S. aureus in Atlantic and Mediterranean, but not in the Continental region. The findings provide a snapshot of climate change impacts on raw milk losses due to mastitis. They will allow farmers to detect weaknesses and prepare them to develop adaptation plans to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Guzmán-Luna
- CRETUS (Cross-disciplinary Research Center in Environmental Technologies), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Rajat Nag
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Ismael Martínez
- CLUN (Cooperativa Lácteas UNidas), Department of R&D, Ponte Maceira, 15864 Ames, Spain; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Miguel Mauricio-Iglesias
- CRETUS (Cross-disciplinary Research Center in Environmental Technologies), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Almudena Hospido
- CRETUS (Cross-disciplinary Research Center in Environmental Technologies), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Enda Cummins
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Stygar AH, Krampe C, Llonch P, Niemi JK. How Far Are We From Data-Driven and Animal-Based Welfare Assessment? A Critical Analysis of European Quality Schemes. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.874260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the European Union, there is no harmonization of farm animal welfare quality schemes for meat and dairy products. Instead, there are several industry-driven initiatives and voluntary schemes that seek to provide information on animal welfare for attentive consumers. This study had two aims. First, we quantified how selected industry-wide quality schemes cover the welfare of pigs and dairy cattle on farms by comparing the evaluation criteria selected by schemes with the animal-, resource- and management-based measures defined in the Welfare Quality protocol (WQ®). Second, we identified how these quality schemes use the data generated along the value chain (sensors, breeding, production, and health recordings) for animal welfare assessments. A total of 12 quality schemes, paying attention to animal welfare but not necessarily limited to welfare, were selected for the analysis. The schemes originated from eight European countries: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Spain. Among the studied quality schemes, we have identified 19 standards for certification: nine for dairy and 10 for pig production. Most of the analyzed standards were comprehensive in welfare assessment. In total, 15 out of 19 standards corresponded to WQ® in more than 70%. However, this high correspondence was obtained when allowing for different information sources (environment instead of animal) than defined in WQ®. Compared to WQ®, the investigated schemes were lagging in terms of the number of measures evaluated based on the animals, with only five standards, out of 19, using predominantly animal-based measures. The quality schemes mostly applied resource-based instead of animal-based measures while assessing good health and appropriate behavior. The utilization of data generated along the value chain by the quality schemes remains insignificant as only one quality scheme allowed the direct application of sensor technologies for providing information on animal welfare. Nevertheless, several schemes used data from farm recording systems, mostly on animal health. The quality schemes rely mostly on resource-based indicators taken during inspection visits, which reduce the relevance of the welfare assessment. Our results suggest that the quality schemes could be enhanced in terms of data collection by the broader utilization of data generated along the value chain.
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More SJ, McAloon C, Silva Boloña P, O'Grady L, O'Sullivan F, McGrath M, Buckley W, Downing K, Kelly P, Ryan EG, McCoy F. Mastitis Control and Intramammary Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:748353. [PMID: 35498730 PMCID: PMC9040554 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.748353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The Veterinary Medicines Regulation (EU 2019/6) came into force in all EU member states on 28 January 2022. This regulation places particular emphasis on prudent and responsible antimicrobial use in food animal production. Key changes include restrictions on the prophylactic use of antimicrobials in animals, and the possibility to reserve certain antimicrobials for humans only. The Regulation presents challenges to the Irish dairy industry, particularly with respect to current approaches to dry cow therapy. In response, the CellCheck technical working group (TWG, a technical group working in support of CellCheck, the national mastitis control programme) have developed pragmatic national and farm-level recommendations in support of improved mastitis control and intramammary antimicrobial stewardship in the Irish dairy industry. This paper outlines these recommendations, and provides an overview of the evidence considered to inform the TWG during its work (including the Regulation, policy perspectives, international best-practice, international scientific reviews and specific Irish challenges). In many key areas of concern, the TWG recognises the challenges in seeking to shape recommendations in the absence of robust and practical scientific evidence. For this reason, some of the recommended actions are pragmatic in nature, informed by national and international experiences. Periodic programme review will be needed, informed by ongoing monitoring of key performance indicators, to identify those actions that are most effective in an Irish context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Catherine McAloon
- Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Pablo Silva Boloña
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Luke O'Grady
- Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Kevin Downing
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Ireland
| | | | - Eoin G. Ryan
- Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Finola McCoy
- Animal Health Ireland, Carrick on Shannon, Ireland
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7
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More SJ, McCoy F, McAloon CI. The new Veterinary Medicines Regulation: rising to the challenge. Ir Vet J 2022; 75:2. [PMID: 35115047 PMCID: PMC8812186 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-022-00209-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This article focuses on the new Veterinary Medicines Regulation, which is applicable across all Member States of the European Union, including Ireland, from 28 January 2022. From this date, prophylactic use of antimicrobials (AMs) in groups of animals is banned, metaphylactic use in groups of animals is restricted, and certain AMs are reserved for humans only. In the Irish dairy industry, as elsewhere, successful implementation of the Regulation will require a high level of mastitis control across all herds, and measures to support high standards in antibiotic stewardship. National actions will be critical, to support optimal mastitis control throughout the national herd. For private veterinary practitioners (PVPs), the Regulation will lead to specific prescribing changes, including the requirement to shift from blanket to selective dry cow therapy. Further, prescribing choices will need to be guided by the categorisation for AMs developed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). More broadly, the Regulation requires a fundamental shift in thinking both in terms of AM usage and of the role of the PVP. Given the close association between mastitis control and intramammary AM stewardship, it is imperative that prescribing and mastitis control decisions are made concurrently. A herd health approach will be critical, within a Client-Patient-Practice Relationship as outlined by the Veterinary Council of Ireland. On those farms with sub-optimal mastitis control, mastitis issues need to be sustainably resolved. A detailed farm investigation by the PVP, in partnership with the farmer and other milk quality professionals, is essential, to understand the epidemiology and on-farm drivers of mastitis, to develop farm-specific action plans, and to facilitate ongoing monitoring of progress. It is vital that PVPs provide leadership, with the provision of a holistic, herd health approach to inform both prescribing and mastitis control decisions in herds under their care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland. .,UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland.
| | - Finola McCoy
- Animal Health Ireland, 4-5 The Archways, Carrick on Shannon, Co., Leitrim, N41 WN27, Ireland
| | - Catherine I McAloon
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland
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More SJ. Perspectives From the Science-Policy Interface in Animal Health and Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:382. [PMID: 31788481 PMCID: PMC6856208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present scientific perspectives from the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare, with an emphasis on factors critical to scientific effectiveness. While there is broad acceptance of the value of scientific information to inform policy-making, interactions at the science-policy interface are not without difficulties. The literature highlights the need for scientists to build policy relevance to the research focus from the outset, to engage with policy-makers and other stakeholders throughout, to use platforms to facilitate science-policy dialogue, and to disseminate research findings appropriately. In the author's experience, there are a range of factors linked with effectiveness at the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare including a passion for public interest research, scientific independence, a commitment to scientific quality and openness, the opportunities afforded from partnership and collaboration, and an interest in strategic thinking and systems change. In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, an objective evidence base for policy decision-making is more important than ever. There is a need for particular attention to the value of collaboration between the natural and social sciences, a recognition among scientists and policy-makers that science is not value-free, the importance of effective communications, and the need to assess and communicate uncertainty. Further, there are particular challenges with science conducted in support of policy development for industry. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate and contribute to discussion and debate, both among scientists and between scientists and policy-makers, to increase scientific effectiveness at the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J More
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Martelli F, Giacomozzi C, Fadda A, Frazzoli C. Understanding Seasonal Changes to Improve Good Practices in Livestock Management. Front Public Health 2018; 6:175. [PMID: 29963544 PMCID: PMC6013551 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Food quality control techniques based on process control methods are increasingly adopted in livestock production systems to fulfill increasing market's expectations toward competitiveness and issues linked to One Health pillars (environment, animal, and human health). Control Charts allow monitoring and systematic investigation of sources of variability in dairy production parameters. These parameters, however, may be affected by seasonal variations that render impractical, biased or ineffective the use statistical control charts. A possible approach to this problem is to adapt seasonal adjustment methods used for the analysis of economic and demographic seasonal time series. The aim of the present work is to evaluate a seasonal decomposition technique called X-11 on milk parameters routinely collected also in small farms (fat, protein, and lactose content, solids-not-fat, freezing point, somatic cell count, total bacterial count) and to test the efficacy of different seasonal removal methods to improve the effectiveness of statistical control charting. Method: Data collection was carried out for 3 years on routinely monitored bulk tank milk parameters of a small farm. Seasonality presence was statistically assessed on milk parameters and, for those parameters showing seasonality, control charts for individuals were applied on raw data, on X-11 seasonally adjusted data, and on data smoothed with a symmetric moving average filter. Correlation of seasonally influenced parameters with daily mean temperature was investigated. Results: Presence of seasonality in milk parameters was statistically assessed for fat, protein, and solids-non-fat components. The X-11 seasonally-adjusted control charts showed a reduced number of violations (false alarms) with respect to non-seasonally adjusted control chart (from 5 to 1 violation for fat, from 17 to 1 violation for protein, and from 9 to none violation for solids-non-fat.). This result was achieved despite stricter control chart limits: with respect to raw data charts, the interval of control chart allowed variation (UCL–LCL) was reduced by 43% for fat, by 33.1% for protein, and by 14.3% for solids-not-fat. Conclusions: X-11 deseasonalization of routinely collected milk parameters was found to be an effective method to improve control chart application effectiveness in farms and milk collecting centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Martelli
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Giacomozzi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Fadda
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Frazzoli
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Pasquini M, Osimani A, Tavoletti S, Moreno I, Clementi F, Trombetta MF. Trends in the quality and hygiene parameters of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo (
Bubalus bubalis
) milk: A three year study. Anim Sci J 2017; 89:176-185. [DOI: 10.1111/asj.12916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pasquini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Andrea Osimani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Stefano Tavoletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Itzhak Moreno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Francesca Clementi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Maria Federica Trombetta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari ed Ambientali Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
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Fenlon C, O'Grady L, McCoy F, Houtsma E, More SJ. The impact of removal of the seasonality formula on the eligibility of Irish herds to supply raw milk for processing of dairy products. Ir Vet J 2017; 70:9. [PMID: 28250916 PMCID: PMC5322608 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-017-0083-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The dairy industry in Ireland is expanding rapidly, with a focus on the production of high quality milk. Somatic cell counts (SCC) are an important indicator both of udder health and milk quality. Milk sold by Irish farmers for manufacture must comply with EU regulations. Irish SCC data is also subject to a monthly seasonal adjustment, for four months from November to February, on account of the seasonality of milk production in Ireland. In a recent study, however, there was no evidence of a dilution effect on SCC with increasing milk yield in Irish dairy cattle. The aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of removal of the seasonality formula on the eligibility of Irish herds to supply raw milk for processing of dairy products. Methods Bulk tank SCC data from 2013 were collected from 14 cooperatives in Ireland. The geometric mean of SCC test results was calculated for each calendar month. We then calculated the number of herds and volume of milk supplied falling in three SCC categories (<200,000, 200,000–400,000, >400,000 cells/mL) in Ireland during 2013 based on their geometric mean SCC every month. Each herd was assigned an ‘eligibility to supply’ status (always compliant, under warning (first warning, second warning, third warning) and liable for suspension) each month based on their 3-month rolling geometric mean, using methods as outlined in EU and Irish legislation. Two methods were used to calculate the 3-month rolling geometric mean. We then determined the number of herds and volume of milk supplied by ‘eligibility to supply’ status in Ireland during 2013. All calculations were conducted with and without the seasonality adjustment. Results The analyses were performed on 2,124,864 records, including 1,571,363 SCC test results from 16,740 herds. With the seasonality adjustment in place, 860 (5.1%) or 854 (5.1%) of herds should have been liable for suspension during 2013 if calculation method 1 or 2, respectively, had been used. If the seasonality adjustment were removed, it is estimated that the number of herds liable for suspension would increase from 860 to 974 (13.2% increase) using calculation method 1, or from 854 to 964 (12.9% increase) using calculation method 2. Conclusions The modelled impact of such removal would be relatively minor, based on available data, regardless of the method used to calculate the 3-month rolling geometric mean. The focus of the current study was quite narrow, effectively from July to December 2013. Therefore, the results are an underestimate of the total number of herds liable for suspension during 2013. They may also underestimate the true percentage change in herds liable for suspension, with the removal of the seasonality formula. A national herd identifier was lacking from a sizeable percentage of the 2013 bulk tank SCC data, but will be needed if these data are to be meaningfully used for this or other purposes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13620-017-0083-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Fenlon
- UCD School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luke O'Grady
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Finola McCoy
- Animal Health Ireland, 4-5 The Archways, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim Ireland
| | - Erik Houtsma
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon J More
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Stakeholder involvement in establishing a milk quality sub-index in dairy cow breeding goals: a Delphi approach. Animal 2016; 10:878-91. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731115002165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Ferreira F, De Vries A. Effects of season and herd milk volume on somatic cell counts of Florida dairy farms. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:4182-97. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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