Planned behavior, social networks, and perceived risks: Understanding farmers' behavior toward precision dairy technologies.

Precision dairy tools (PDT) can provide timely information on individual cow's physiological and behavioral parameters, which can lead to more efficient management of the dairy farm. Although the economic rationale behind the adoption of PDT has been extensively discussed in the literature, the socio-psychological aspects related to the adoption of these technologies have received far less attention. Therefore, this paper proposes a socio-psychological model that builds upon the theory of planned behavior and develops hypotheses regarding cognitive constructs, their interaction with the farmers' perceived risks and social networks, and their overall influence on adoption. These hypotheses are tested using a generalized structural equation model for (a) the adoption of automatic milking systems (AMS) on the farms and (b) the PDT that are usually adopted with the AMS. Results show that adoption of these technologies is affected directly by intention, and the effects of subjective norms, perceived control, and attitudes on adoption are mediated through intention. A unit increase in perceived control score is associated with an increase in marginal probability of adoption of AMS and PDT by 0.05 and 0.19, respectively. Subjective norms are associated with an increase in marginal probability of adoption of AMS and PDT by 0.009 and 0.05, respectively. These results suggest that perceived control exerts a stronger influence on adoption of AMS and PDT, particularly compared with their subjective norms. Technology-related social networks are associated with an increase in marginal probability of adoption of AMS and PDT by 0.026 and 0.10, respectively. Perceived risks related to AMS and PDT negatively affect probability of adoption by 0.042 and 0.16, respectively, by having negative effects on attitudes, perceived self-confidence, and intentions. These results imply that integrating farmers within knowledge-sharing networks, minimizing perceived risks associated with these technologies, and enhancing farmers' confidence in their ability to use these technologies can significantly enhance uptake.

Recovery from udder cleft dermatitis in dairy cows.

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is a common skin problem in dairy cows, localized at the fore udder attachment or between the udder halves. The main objectives of this study were to investigate spontaneous recovery from UCD in a longitudinal study and to investigate the treatment effect on UCD of a topical spray containing chelated copper and zinc in an additional treatment trial. Spontaneous recovery was investigated during a 1-yr longitudinal study in which 7 Swedish dairy herds were visited 9 times each, at 6-wk intervals. During the visits, all cows milked in the milking parlor were examined for mild and severe UCD, udder conformation traits, hygiene, and hock lesions. Additional cow and herd data were obtained from the Swedish official milk recording scheme. Recovery was defined as 2 consecutive observations of no UCD after a UCD case (1 or more consecutive observations of UCD). The recovery rate was calculated and factors associated with recovery were analyzed using discrete-time survival analysis. A treatment study was conducted in 4 of the herds after completion of the longitudinal study. Cows with UCD were allocated to treatment or a control group, and cows in the treatment group were treated once every day for 14 to 28 d. At follow-up visits on d 14, 28, and 56, all cows were scored for UCD. To investigate the effect of treatment, an ordered logistic regression model was used, with UCD score on d 56 (no, mild, or severe) as the outcome. Other potential explanatory variables were also included in the model. A total of 38% (126 of 329) of the cows in the longitudinal study made a spontaneous recovery from UCD. A long duration of UCD, severe lesions and higher parity reduced the chance of recovery. Among the recovered cows, 47% (59 of 126 cows) had a recurrent case of UCD after the recovery. In the treatment study, there was no difference in UCD score on d 56 between the treatment and control groups. Factors that affected the UCD score on d 56 were the duration of UCD before the treatment study started, UCD score on d 1 and udder conformation. Our findings emphasize the importance of further studies to identify effective treatment regimens as well as further studies to unravel the pathophysiology of UCD to improve the recommendations on how to prevent these lesions.

A shotgun metagenomic investigation of the microbiota of udder cleft dermatitis in comparison to healthy skin in dairy cows.

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is a skin condition affecting the fore udder attachment of dairy cows. UCD may be defined as mild (eczematous skin changes) or severe (open wounds, large skin changes). Our aims were to compare the microbiota of mild and severe UCD lesions with the microbiota of healthy skin from the fore udder attachment of control cows, and to investigate whether mastitis-causing pathogens are present in UCD lesions. Samples were obtained from cows in six dairy herds. In total, 36 UCD samples categorized as mild (n = 17) or severe (n = 19) and 13 control samples were sequenced using a shotgun metagenomic approach and the reads were taxonomically classified based on their k-mer content. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the abundance of different taxa between different sample types, as well as to compare the bacterial diversity between samples. A high proportion of bacteria was seen in all samples. Control samples had a higher proportion of archaeal reads, whereas most samples had low proportions of fungi, protozoa and viruses. The bacterial microbiota differed between controls and mild and severe UCD samples in both composition and diversity. Subgroups of UCD samples were visible, characterized by increased proportion of one or a few bacterial genera or species, e.g. Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium luteolum, Trueperella pyogenes and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Bifidobacterium spp. were more common in controls compared to UCD samples. The bacterial diversity was higher in controls compared to UCD samples. Bacteria commonly associated with mastitis were uncommon. In conclusion, a dysbiosis of the microbiota of mild and severe UCD samples was seen, characterized by decreased diversity and an increased proportion of certain bacteria. There was no evidence of a specific pathogen causing UCD or that UCD lesions are important reservoirs for mastitis-causing bacteria.

Hock lesions in dairy cows in freestall herds: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Hock lesions (HL) in dairy cows are a common animal welfare problem in modern dairy production with freestall housing systems, but there are no large-scale studies addressing its epidemiology in Sweden. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the prevalence of HL of different severity in 100 Swedish freestall dairy herds, and to identify cow- and herd-related risk factors. Associations between HL and mastitis as well as culling were also investigated. RESULTS: In total, 3217 cows from 99 herds were included in the statistical analyses. The overall cow prevalence of hair loss on the hock (mild HL) was 68% and the prevalence of ulceration or evident swelling of the hock, with or without hair loss, (severe HL) was 6%. The within-herd prevalence varied among herds, between 23 and 100% for mild HL, and between 0 and 32% for severe ones. Breed (higher risk for Swedish Holstein than for Swedish Red) and days in milk (higher risk at 181-305 days than at 0-90 days) were cow-related risk factors associated with both types of lesions, whereas higher parity and cleaner cows were associated only with increased risk of severe HL. A reduced risk for mild HL was seen in cows housed on mattresses compared to rubber mats, and in cows housed on peat compared to other bedding materials. Also, cows in herds with a high proportion of not yet inseminated heifers older than 17 months had a lower risk of mild HL than cows in herds with a low proportion. Risk for severe HL was lower when cubicles were of recommended width compared to under recommendation, for organic production compared to conventional, and when teat dip or no treatment after milking was used, compared to teat spray. For both mild and severe HL, herringbone milking parlors were associated with higher risk than tandem parlors. We found no significant associations between HL and mastitis or culling. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HL is high in Swedish dairy herds, although most lesions are mild. Several cow- and herd-related risk factors were identified and the results can be used to improve recommendations for the prevention of HL in Swedish freestall dairy herds.

Policy development in psychiatric disability and rehabilitation: best practice planning for positive system transformation.

This article provides an overview of international, national, and local policy initiatives that support the clinical and programmatic changes being championed in psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery. California, with the 6th largest economy in the world and one of the largest public mental health systems, has become a leader both nationally and internationally in modeling such change efforts. The Mental Health Services Act of 2004 (MHSA) has been the vehicle within the state that has set up the framework for the transformation. Many of the components of the MHSA support the national recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission. A case example contrasting the California MHSA and the President's New Freedom Commission recommendations is included to highlight how California has conceptualized and begun to implement those recommendations.