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Lynch C, Leishman EM, Miglior F, Kelton D, Schenkel FS, Baes CF. Review: Opportunities and challenges for the genetic selection of dairy calf disease traits. Animal 2024; 18 Suppl 2:101141. [PMID: 38641517 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101141] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Interest in dairy cow health continues to grow as we better understand health's relationship with production potential and animal welfare. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to incorporate health traits into national genetic evaluations. However, they have focused on the mature cow, with calf health largely being neglected. Diarrhoea and respiratory disease comprise the main illnesses with regard to calf health. Conventional methods to control calf disease involve early separation of calves from the dam and housing calves individually. However, public concern regarding these methods, and growing evidence that these methods may negatively impact calf development, mean the dairy industry may move away from these practices. Genetic selection may be a promising tool to address these major disease issues. In this review, we examined current literature for enhancing calf health through genetics and discussed alternative approaches to improve calf health via the use of epidemiological modelling approaches, and the potential of indirectly selecting for improved calf health through improving colostrum quality. Heritability estimates on the observed scale for diarrhoea ranged from 0.03 to 0.20, while for respiratory disease, estimates ranged from 0.02 to 0.24. The breadth in these ranges is due, at least in part, to differences in disease prevalence, population structure, data editing and models, as well as data collection practices, which should be all considered when comparing literature values. Incorporation of epidemiological theory into quantitative genetics provides an opportunity to better determine the level of genetic variation in disease traits, as it accounts for disease transmission among contemporaries. Colostrum intake is a major determinant of whether a calf develops either respiratory disease or diarrhoea. Colostrum traits have the advantage of being measured and reported on a continuous scale, which removes the issues classically associated with binary disease traits. Overall, genetic selection for improved calf health is feasible. However, to ensure the maximum response, first steps by any industry members should focus efforts on standardising recording practices and encouragement of uploading information to genetic evaluation centres through herd management software, as high-quality phenotypes are the backbone of any successful breeding programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lynch
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - E M Leishman
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada; Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - F Miglior
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada; Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON N1K-1E5, Canada
| | - D Kelton
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G-2W1, Canada
| | - F S Schenkel
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - C F Baes
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada; Institute of Genetics, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, University of Bern, Bern 3001, Switzerland.
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Nobrega DB, Miltenburg C, Séguin G, Kelton DF. Prevalence and spatial distribution of infectious diseases of dairy cattle in Ontario, Canada. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:5029-5040. [PMID: 38428494 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24197] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence and spatial distribution of selected pathogens associated with infectious diseases of dairy cattle in Ontario, Canada. The cross-sectional study surveyed bulk tank milk for antibodies against bovine leukemia virus (BLV), Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), and Salmonella Dublin, and for the presence of mastitis pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Mycoplasma bovis). Between October 2021 and June 2022, bulk tank milk samples were obtained from every commercial dairy farm in Ontario (n = 3,286). Samples underwent ELISA testing for the presence of BLV, MAP, and S. Dublin antibodies, and quantitative PCR testing for the detection of specific antigens of pathogens associated with mastitis. Bayesian models were used to estimate prevalence, and spatial analysis was carried out to identify regional clusters of high pathogen prevalence. Prevalence varied for different pathogens, and BLV was widespread across dairy farms in Ontario, with an estimated prevalence of 88.3%. The prevalence of MAP, Staph. aureus and S. Dublin in Ontario dairy herds was 39.8%, 31.5%, and 5.1%, respectively. The vast majority of dairy herds in Ontario were free of intramammary infections caused by Strep. agalactiae and M. bovis. Clusters of increased positive test rates were detected for S. Dublin, MAP, and Staph. aureus, indicating potential geographic risk factors for pathogen transmission. For S. Dublin, an area of increased test positivity rates was detected in southwestern Ontario, close to the Canada-United States border where most of the dairy herds in Ontario are located. Conversely, a localized cluster of positive test outcomes involving 14 subdivisions located in the southeastern region of Ontario was detected for Staph. aureus. Findings from our survey highlight the importance of the testing of aggregated samples and conducting spatial analysis as part of disease surveillance programs, and for implementing risk-based trading approaches among dairy producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego B Nobrega
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - C Miltenburg
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Elora, ON N1G 4Y2, Canada
| | - G Séguin
- Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Mississauga, ON K2P 0W6, Canada
| | - David F Kelton
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Amenu K, McIntyre KM, Moje N, Knight-Jones T, Rushton J, Grace D. Approaches for disease prioritization and decision-making in animal health, 2000-2021: a structured scoping review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1231711. [PMID: 37876628 PMCID: PMC10593474 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1231711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review identifies and describes the methods used to prioritize diseases for resource allocation across disease control, surveillance, and research and the methods used generally in decision-making on animal health policy. Three electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, Embase, and CAB Abstracts) were searched for articles from 2000 to 2021. Searches identified 6, 395 articles after de-duplication, with an additional 64 articles added manually. A total of 6, 460 articles were imported to online document review management software (sysrev.com) for screening. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 532 articles passed the first screening, and after a second round of screening, 336 articles were recommended for full review. A total of 40 articles were removed after data extraction. Another 11 articles were added, having been obtained from cross-citations of already identified articles, providing a total of 307 articles to be considered in the scoping review. The results show that the main methods used for disease prioritization were based on economic analysis, multi-criteria evaluation, risk assessment, simple ranking, spatial risk mapping, and simulation modeling. Disease prioritization was performed to aid in decision-making related to various categories: (1) disease control, prevention, or eradication strategies, (2) general organizational strategy, (3) identification of high-risk areas or populations, (4) assessment of risk of disease introduction or occurrence, (5) disease surveillance, and (6) research priority setting. Of the articles included in data extraction, 50.5% had a national focus, 12.3% were local, 11.9% were regional, 6.5% were sub-national, and 3.9% were global. In 15.2% of the articles, the geographic focus was not specified. The scoping review revealed the lack of comprehensive, integrated, and mutually compatible approaches to disease prioritization and decision support tools for animal health. We recommend that future studies should focus on creating comprehensive and harmonized frameworks describing methods for disease prioritization and decision-making tools in animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kebede Amenu
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) Programme, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary, Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - K. Marie McIntyre
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) Programme, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Modelling, Evidence and Policy Group, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nebyou Moje
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Theodore Knight-Jones
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) Programme, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jonathan Rushton
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) Programme, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Delia Grace
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) Programme, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Food and Markets Department, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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Effect of baicalin supplementation on the growth, health, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, and immune function of preweaned calves. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Schinwald M, Creutzinger K, Keunen A, Winder C, Haley D, Renaud D. Predictors of diarrhea, mortality, and weight gain in male dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:5296-5309. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Donat K, Einax E, Klassen A. Evaluation of the Thuringian Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program-A Case Study. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:493. [PMID: 35203201 PMCID: PMC8868165 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Thuringian Johne's Disease (JD) Control Program provides a voluntary approach to JD control in Thuringia, a federal state of Germany. The program has three objectives: reduce the level of infection when present; reduce the spread of JD to uninfected herds; and facilitate the certification and protection of herds that are non-suspect with respect to JD. The program offers pathways for the management of affected herds and for certification of herds with continuing negative tests. After the control stage (CS), a certification stage of at least 3 consecutive years with continuing negative results in the annual whole-herd test has to be passed until a herd can be certified as 'non-suspect' with respect to JD. This study focused on calf mortality in relation to JD herd status. In a longitudinal study, the association of annual calf mortality rate of a total of 93 dairy herds (13 'non-suspect'; 26 in control stage; 54 not enrolled) over 10 consecutive years with JD herd status was investigated using a generalized mixed linear model with repeated measures. Non-suspect herds had a lower calf mortality rate compared with other farms. We conclude that establishing JD control measures lowers the calf mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Donat
- Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse, Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts, 07745 Jena, Germany;
- Klinikum Veterinärmedizin, Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Gynäkologie und Andrologie der Groß- und Kleintiere mit Tierärztlicher Ambulanz, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Esra Einax
- Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse, Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Anne Klassen
- Klinikum Veterinärmedizin, Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Gynäkologie und Andrologie der Groß- und Kleintiere mit Tierärztlicher Ambulanz, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
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Abstract
Livestock products supply about 13 percent of energy and 28 percent of protein in diets consumed worldwide. Diarrhea is a leading cause of sickness and death of beef and dairy calves in their first month of life and also affecting adult cattle, resulting in large economic losses and a negative impact on animal welfare. Despite the usual multifactorial origin, viruses are generally involved, being among the most important causes of diarrhea. There are several viruses that have been confirmed as etiological agents (i.e., rotavirus and coronavirus), and some viruses that are not yet confirmed as etiological agents. This review summarizes the viruses that have been detected in the enteric tract of cattle and tries to deepen and gather knowledge about them.
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Renaud DL, Rot C, Marshall J, Steele MA. The effect of Cryptosporidiumparvum, rotavirus, and coronavirus infection on the health and performance of male dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:2151-2163. [PMID: 33309376 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the effect of bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus (BRoV), and Cryptosporidiumparvum on dairy calf health and performance and to determine the prevalence of these pathogens. A total of 198 male dairy calves housed at a grain-fed veal facility were examined from June 11, 2018, to October 9, 2018. Calves were fed milk replacer twice daily and housed individually until weaning at 56 d. Once weaned, calves were moved into groups of 5 until they were moved to a finishing facility at 77 d. At the grain-fed veal facility, calves were scored for fecal consistency for the first 28 d and had fecal samples taken on arrival and at 7 and 14 d. Fecal samples were frozen and submitted to a commercial laboratory, where they were tested for BCoV, C.parvum, and 2 groups of BRoV: group A (BRoV A) and group B (BRoV B). Calves were weighed on arrival and at 14, 49, 56, and 77 d using a digital body scale. Treatments for disease and mortalities that occurred over the 77 d were also recorded. Statistical models, including Cox proportional hazards and repeated measures models, were built to determine the effect of infection with 1 of the pathogens. Over the 3 sampling points, 151 (85.8%), 178 (94.2%), 3 (1.5%), and 97 (57.4%) calves tested positive at least once for BCoV, BRoV A, BRoV B, and C.parvum, respectively. The source of the calves and the level of serum total protein measured on arrival were associated with testing positive for a pathogen. Calves that tested positive for C.parvum had an increased proportion of days with diarrhea and severe diarrhea; calves that tested positive for BCoV and BRoV A had an increased proportion of days with severe diarrhea. In addition, calves that tested positive for C.parvum had a higher hazard of being treated for respiratory disease. With respect to body weight, calves that had diarrhea or severe diarrhea had lower body weight at 49, 56, and 77 d. Specifically, calves that had an increased proportion of days with diarrhea showed a reduction in weight gain of up to 15 kg compared to calves without diarrhea. Calves that tested positive for C.parvum had a lower body weight at 49, 56, and 77 d; calves that tested positive for BCoV had a lower body weight at 56 and 77 d. This study demonstrates that the prevalence of BCoV, BRoV A, and C.parvum infection is high in this population of calves and has significant effects on the occurrence of diarrhea and body weight gain. Future studies should evaluate approaches for minimizing the effect of infection with these pathogens to improve the welfare, health, and productivity of dairy calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Renaud
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - C Rot
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Marshall
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - M A Steele
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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Morgans LC, Bolt S, Bruno-McClung E, van Dijk L, Escobar MP, Buller HJ, Main DCJ, Reyher KK. A participatory, farmer-led approach to changing practices around antimicrobial use on UK farms. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:2212-2230. [PMID: 33246617 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Farmer-led, participatory approaches are being increasingly employed in agricultural research, with promising results. This study aimed to understand how a participatory approach based on the Danish stable schools could help to achieve practical, farmer-led changes that reduced reliance on antimicrobials in the UK. Five facilitated farmer action groups comprising 30 dairy farms across South West England met on farm at regular intervals between 2016 and 2018, and worked collaboratively within their groups to discuss how to reduce antimicrobial use. Qualitative data from group discussions and individual semi-structured interviews were collected and analyzed using thematic analysis to explore how the approach helped farmers address and deal with changes to their on-farm practices. Facilitator-guided reviews of antimicrobial use and benchmarking were carried out on each farm to assess any change in usage and help farmers review their practices. The pattern of antimicrobial use changed over the 2 yr of the study, with 21 participating farms reducing their use of highest-priority critically important antibiotics (6 farms were not using any of these critical medicines from the outset). Thirty practical action plans were co-developed by the groups with an average implementation rate of 54.3% within a year. All assessed farms implemented 1 recommendation, and many were still ongoing at the end of the study. Farmers particularly valued the peer-to-peer learning during farm walks. Farmers reported how facilitated discussions and action planning as a peer group had empowered them to change practices. Participants identified knowledge gaps during the project, particularly on highest-priority critically important antibiotics, where they were not getting information from their veterinarians. The study demonstrated that facilitation has a valuable role to play in participatory approaches beyond moderating discussion; facilitators encouraged knowledge mobilization within the groups and were participants in the research as well. Facilitated, farmer-led, participatory approaches that mobilize different forms of knowledge and encourage peer learning are a promising way of helping farmers to adapt and develop responsible practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Morgans
- Innovation for Agriculture, Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ, United Kingdom.
| | - Sarah Bolt
- Kingshay (part of the VetPartners Group), Bridge Farm, West Bradley, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LU, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Bruno-McClung
- Department of Public Health (Distance Learning), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa van Dijk
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS, United Kingdom
| | - Maria P Escobar
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Stock Lane, Langford, North Somerset, BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - Henry J Buller
- School of Geography, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom
| | - David C J Main
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS, United Kingdom
| | - Kristen K Reyher
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Stock Lane, Langford, North Somerset, BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
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