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.

Effects of vaccination timing and target pathogens on performances and antimicrobial use in long-transported Charolais beef cattle from France to Italy - A retrospective study.

Antimicrobial use (AMU) in the livestock sector is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. Italian beef industry strongly relies on the import of young cattle from France, which are commingled in sorting facilities before transportation to Italy. Both commingling and transportation are stressors for animals and lead to higher risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which in turn increases the risk of AMU. This study aimed to investigate how the timing of first BRD vaccination and the different vaccination target pathogens affect AMU and performance of young Charolais beef cattle imported from France to Italy. Information on animal performance, antimicrobial treatments, and vaccinations was available for 60,726 Charolais cattle belonging to 1449 batches in 33 Italian specialised fattening farms between January 2016 and December 2021. Antimicrobial use was estimated using the treatment incidence 100 adapted for Italy (TI100it). A mixed linear model was used to quantify the effects of the vaccination and the time of first administration on slaughter age, carcase weight, and average daily carcase gain. Similarly, a generalised linear mixed model was used to analyse the TI100it. The vaccination programme was usually applied the first day after the animals' arrival to the Italian fattening farms. Most animals were vaccinated with a polyvalent vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (PI-3), bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 and 2 (BVDV), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). The most used class of antimicrobials to treat BRD were the macrolides, followed by aminoglycosides, amphenicols, tetracyclines, aminopenicillins, and fluoroquinolones. Animals that got vaccinated against any of the considered BRD pathogens upon arrival had significantly lower TI100it, greater average daily carcase gain, and reached slaughter age earlier than animals that got vaccinated later. Animals that received the vaccination against BVDV had lower TI100it and greater average daily carcase gain, and animals that received the vaccination against BRSV were younger at slaughter than unvaccinated animals. The vaccination against Mannheimia haemolytica significantly decreased the slaughter age and increased the carcase weight and average daily carcase gain, and the vaccination against PI-3 and Histophilus somni significantly increased the slaughter age. Thus, even if the vaccination programme is essential to tackle BRD, this practice is questionable if applied at arrival to the Italian fattening farms and it is advisable that the vaccination programme is planned before the commingling procedure in France.

Evaluation of the Immune Response to Transport Stress in the Aosta Valley Breed.

Transportation is a recurring event in a farm animal's life, and it is considered one of the main stressors with possible negative repercussions for both the health and welfare of farm animals. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of transportation on some blood variables of 45 young bulls moved from their original farms to a livestock collection centre. Transportation took no more than 8 h and was carried out between January and March 2021. Blood samples were taken before transportation (T0), upon arrival at the collection centre (T1), and 7 days after arrival (T2). Samples were processed for blood cell count, clinical chemistry analyses, serum protein electrophoresis, and the evaluation of innate immunity parameters. The results showed a typical stress leukogram with neutrophilia and changes in the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. No significant alterations were observed in either serum proteins or pro-inflammatory cytokines. Significant, albeit transient, alterations were observed in some clinical chemistry parameters after transportation, which could be accounted for by stressful conditions such as the transportation itself and handling and mixing with other animals. Our results indicated that the adopted transportation conditions only slightly affected the blood variables under study with no significant impact on animal welfare.

Using Expert Elicitation for ranking hazards, promoters and animal-based measures for on-farm welfare assessment of indoor reared beef cattle: an Italian experience.

On-farm welfare assessment gives the opportunity to monitor and improve the quality of the animal life on the farm. In order to build the first Italian public standard for the welfare of indoor reared beef cattle, a list of 25 potential hazards and 22 potential promoters of beef cattle welfare was judged by a group of national experts by taking into account their negative or positive impacts on the welfare-state of the target population. In addition, the experts were asked to rank a list of 11 animal-based measures for identifying the most appropriate and important for measuring negative welfare outcomes in beef cattle. Based on experts' ratings, an "impact score" (ISoverall) was calculated for the proposed measures. Management hazards and promoters were ranked to have a greater impact on beef cattle welfare than housing factors. Keeping cattle in large (≥ 40 animals) and heterogeneous groups obtained the highest ISoverall among the proposed hazards (ISoverall = 5.54), followed by the presence of animals without free access to drinking water (ISoverall = 4.39) and the use of high-concentrate corn silage diets (concentrate > 80% and fiber < 6%) (ISoverall = 4.39). On the other hand, housing animals in small (≤ 20 animals) and homogeneous groups (ISoverall = 5.41), checking them at least twice a day (ISoverall = 4.62) and rearing cattle in loose housing systems with access to an outdoor area/pasture (ISoverall = 4.27) were ranked among the top 3 promoters. Concerning animal-based measures, experts scored lameness, severe respiratory diseases, body condition scoring and mortality rate to be measures most important for assessing serious welfare impairment.

Safety Evaluation and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Cow Milk Produced in Northern Italy According to Dioxins and PCBs Contamination Levels.

Contamination levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were monitored over 2018-2021 in 214 bovine milk samples from farms located in two regions in northern Italy (Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna). The average concentrations of the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (0.78 ± 0.55 pg TEQ/g fat) and six non-dioxin-like PCBs (6.55 ± 2.24 ng/g fat) were largely below the maximum, and action limits established at European level, confirming a decreasing trend observed both locally and across Europe in recent years. The impact of contamination levels on chronic dietary exposure of the Italian population to dioxins and PCBs was found to be highly variable based on the type of cow milk (skimmed, semi-skimmed, or whole-fat milk) and the population age group considered. Indeed, a first-tier screening of the potential exposure via determinist methods allowed for the identification of the youngest population as the group with the worst risk profile. The refinement of exposure assessment via Monte Carlo probabilistic methods suggested that, at the less pessimistic middle-bound simulation scenario, infants, toddlers, and children consuming whole cow milk may be exposed to dioxins and PCBs levels above the toxicological reference values with a probability of 76, 56, and 22%, respectively.

Is the Introduction into a New Environment Stressful for Young Bulls?

Several events in an animal's life are considered stressful. Among them, the most studied and significant are transportation, weaning, and adaptation to climate change. Moreover, other events, such as the separation from the dam, moving from the original farm to another, management practices, such as regrouping with other animals, and new hierarchical conditions, represent routine conditions in the bovine's life, which can influence the animal's homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in blood parameters of 45 calves introduced into a new environment from their original farms. Blood samples were collected upon arrival at a genetic center (T1), 7 (T2), 30 (T3), and 120 (T4) days after arrival. Blood count, protein electrophoresis, clinical chemistry, and innate immunity parameters were performed on the samples. Significant alterations in some clinical chemistry parameters were related to liver function in the serum protein and the values of IL-6 and TNF-α; the main cytokines mediating the stress response emerged from the results. The evidence indicates the mild response to adaptation stress by calves raised in close association with people after their introduction into a new environment.

Paratuberculosis, Animal Welfare and Biosecurity: A Survey in 33 Northern Italy Dairy Goat Farms.

Paratuberculosis is a notable infectious disease of ruminants. Goats appear to be particularly susceptible. The survey aimed to investigate the spread of paratuberculosis in Italian goat farming and evaluate whether the presence of the disease could be influenced by welfare and biosecurity deficiencies. A serological survey for paratuberculosis in 33 dairy farms in northern Italy was conducted. Contextually, animal welfare and biosecurity were assessed, using a standardized protocol of 36 welfare indicators and 15 biosecurity indicators which assigns to each farm a welfare and biosecurity score from 0 (any application) to 100% (full application). An overall result of less than 60% was considered insufficient. Nineteen farms (58%) tested positive for paratuberculosis, with a mean intra-herd seroprevalence of 7.4%. Total welfare ranged from 39.56 to 90.7% (mean 68.64%). Biosecurity scores ranged from 10.04 to 90.01% (mean 57.57%). Eight farms (24%) showed poor welfare conditions (welfare score < 60%) and 19 (58%) an unsatisfactory biosecurity condition (biosecurity score < 60%). With respect to the explorative character of the study, an indicative association between seven welfare and biosecurity indicators and paratuberculosis seropositivity was identified. The presence of paratuberculosis in northern Italy dairy goat farms was confirmed. The welfare and biosecurity assessment protocol proved to be an accurate tool, capable of identifying critical points for managing health, welfare and productivity.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Kynurenine Pathway, and Lipid-Profiling Alterations as Potential Animal Welfare Indicators in Dairy Cattle.

Complete animal welfare evaluation in intensive farming is challenging. With this study, we investigate new biomarkers for animal physical and mental health by comparing plasma expression of biochemical indicators in dairy cows reared in three different systems: (A) semi-intensive free-stall, (B) non-intensive tie-stall, and (C) intensive free-stall. Additionally, protein levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and its precursor form (proBDNF) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) specific activity were evaluated in brain samples collected from 12 cattle culled between 73 and 138 months of age. Alterations in plasma lipid composition and in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism were observed in the tie-stall-reared animals. The total plasma BDNF concentration was higher in tie-stall group compared to the two free-housing groups. Brain analysis of the tie-stall animals revealed a different mBDNF/proBDNF ratio, with a higher level of proBDNF (p < 0.001). Our data are similar to previous studies on animal models of depression, which reported that inhibition of the conversion of proBDNF in its mature form and/or elevated peripheral kynurenine pathway activation may underlie cerebral biochemical changes and induce depressive-like state behavior in animals.

The influence of different production systems on dioxin and PCB levels in chicken eggs from Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions (Italy) over 2017-2019 and consequent dietary exposure assessment.

Hen eggs from farms with different production systems (organic, free range, barn, and in cage) sited in two regions of Italy (Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy) were collected from 2017 to 2019 to monitor the levels of 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and the 6 non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl indicators (ndl-PCBs). Average concentrations of PCDD/Fs (0.21 pg WHO(2005)-TEQ/g fat), PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs (0.43 pg WHO(2005)-TEQ/g fat) and ndl-PCBs (6.41 ng/g fat) were below the maximum limits established at European level in eggs, but significantly higher amounts of PCDD/Fs and PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs were found in eggs from free-range housing system compared to barn, cage, and organic ones. The potential dietary intake of the monitored contaminants by Italian population age groups through the consumption of locally produced eggs was also evaluated. Exposure levels to PCDD/Fs plus dl-PCBs were below the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2 pg WHO(2005)-TEQ/kg bw/week recently set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). However, the younger population was found to be more vulnerable than other age groups to exposure to these contaminants. Specifically, the preferential consumption of free-range eggs by infants, toddlers, and children contributed more than 30% to the TWI. The results confirm the need to continuously monitor the levels of chemical contaminants in the environment and provide a reminder of the importance of targeted intervention measures aimed to reduce their occurrence in food and feed, firstly by improving the management practices on egg-producing farms.

Best Farming Practices for the Welfare of Dairy Cows, Heifers and Calves.

The concept of animal welfare (AW) has many meanings. Traditionally, AW has been considered as freedom from disease and suffering. Nowadays, growing attention goes to the concept of "positive animal welfare" (PAW), which can be interpreted within the concept of quality of life (QoL), thinking about a "balance of positives over negatives" and a "life worth living". In this vision, where the QoL represents a continuum between positives and negatives, the Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), within the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), has developed a welfare assessment protocol for dairy cows, heifers, and calves in loose housing systems, including both animal-based and non-animal-based indicators, in which not only hazards but also benefits are identified. This protocol is part of an integrated monitoring system called "ClassyFarm", belonging to the Italian Ministry of Health and developed by IZSLER. The aim of this paper is to extrapolate from the mentioned protocol, a list of 38 best farming practices (on managerial and equipment factors) for ensuring a high level of welfare in dairy cattle. All stakeholders (veterinarians, farmers, competent authorities, consumers, etc.) can benefit of these best practices as a guide or toolbox to ensure a life worth living for these animals.

Welfare Assessment: Correspondence Analysis of Welfare Score and Hematological and Biochemical Profiles of Dairy Cows in Sardinia, Italy.

The need for animal welfare definition and assessment is increasing worldwide, and several studies have been conducted to help fill the knowledge gaps regarding the welfare of cattle. However, further studies are needed to provide valid synthetized measures for welfare evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the welfare status of 16 Sardinian dairy cattle farms, based on the developed Animal Welfare and Biosecurity Evaluation checklist (AWB-EF) and the corresponding hematological, biochemical, and electrophoretic profiles of these animals. Considering the AWB-EF as gold standard, blood samples were collected from 230 Holstein breed dairy cattle, aged between 3 and 8 years, out of the periparturient period, and with no clinical signs of specific pathologies. Principal Component (PC) and correlation analyses were performed to simplify phenomena interpretation and assess positive/negative associations. Four PCs were able to explain 76% of the total variability, and six laboratory parameters were strongly associated with the AWB-EF score (Spearman's correlation coefficient ≥ 0.40, p-Value < 0.05), reflecting the real health status of the animals. Given the complexity of animal welfare as a multidimensional concept and the need to include both animal-based and non-based measures in welfare evaluation, the present work represents a sound basis for future evaluation and veterinary health planning.

The Relationship between Animal Welfare and Antimicrobial Use in Italian Dairy Farms.

Information regarding the relationship between animal welfare (AW) and antimicrobial use (AMU) in dairy cows is limited. The current study aimed to investigate this relationship on Italian farms and to identify potential targets of AMU reduction. The study was performed at 79 Italian dairy farms housing over 15,000 cows during 2019. AW was scored with an on-farm protocol assessing farm management and staff training, housing systems, and animal-based measures. AMU was estimated using a defined daily dose per kg of animal biomass (DDDAit/biomass) for Italy. The median AW score was 73% (range: 56.6-86.8%). The median AMU was 4.8 DDDAit/biomass (range: 0-11.8). No relationship between the total AMU and AW was found. Management and staff training were positively associated with the use of the European Medicines Agency's category B antimicrobials, which are critical for human medicine, and with intramammary products for dry cow therapy. In those farms, antimicrobial stewardship should aim to reduce the category B antimicrobials and selective dry cow therapy. Our results underline the importance of implementing both an integrated monitoring system (AW, AMU, etc.) and antimicrobial stewardship tailored to the specific needs of each dairy farm.

PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and NDL-PCBs in Dairy Cows: Carryover in Milk from a Controlled Feeding Study.

A feeding study was carried out to investigate the kinetics in cow milk of the 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), the 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and the 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) regulated by the European (EU) legislation. A fortified ration (ΣPCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs: 24.68 ng TEQ/day/cow; ΣNDL-PCBs: 163.99 µg/day/cow) was given to the animals for 49 days, followed by 42 days on clean feed. EU maximum limit for TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB was exceeded in milk after 1 week of exposure, while for ΣNDL-PCBs, after 5 weeks. Milk compliance was restored after 1 week on clean feed, but to return to the basal TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB it took 42 days. At the end of the study, ΣNDL-PCBs had not yet reached the basal level. The carryover rate of ΣNDL-PCBs was 25.4%, while the carryover rate of TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB was 36.9%. The latter was mainly affected by the 12 congeners contributing most to the toxic equivalent (TEQ) level, explaining the fast overcome of the maximum limit in milk.

Diagnostic value of composite milk sample vs single quarter milk sample for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus intra-mammary infections in cattle.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most important causes of mastitis in dairy cattle. Control and eradication programs of S. aureus intra-mammary infections (IMI) are based on different factors included the correct detection and management of the infected cows. The present study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of composite milk samples (CMS) analysis, compared to quarter milk samples (QMS) analysis, for the bacteriological detection of S. aureus intra-mammary infections. During 2016, 661 CMS (hygienically collected) and 2644 QMS (aseptically collected) were obtained from 661 cows in 5 herds. All the samples were submitted to S. aureus bacteriological culture and somatic cell count (SCC) analysis. QMS bacteriological analysis on blood agar plates was able to detect 236 cows excreting S. aureus, while the bacteriological analysis of CMS, using selective agar, identified 229 positive cows. The concordance was 95% with an excellent Cohen's κ (0.89). Relative sensitivity and specificity of CMS vs QMS, considered as the reference test, were 91.5% ± 2.1 and 96.9% ± 1.3 (CI 95%), respectively. In addition, the relative sensitivity of CMS improved as the number of infected quarters per cow and the number of colony forming units (cfu) per sample increased. The predictive value of CMS results was better when paired with SCC data, in particular CMS showed better negative predictive value when SCC was <200,000 cells/mL and better positive predictive value when SCC was>200,000 cells/mL. The probability for a cow to be S. aureus positive was 56.4% in case of SCC > 200,000 cells/mL, while it was 18.6% in case of SCC < 200,000 cells/mL. The average SCC in CMS was significantly higher in positive cows and the value rose as the number of infected quarters per cow increased. Given the intermittent excretion of S. aureus in milk from dairy cows, it could be more advantageous to carry out several serial CMS, rather than few QMS, being CMS an easier to collect and less expensive milk sampling method. Thus, bacteriological examination of CMS, combined with SCC data of the same sample, could be extremely useful for the success of S. aureus IMI control plans, because repeated CMS are easier to be performed and could be more easily proposed to the farmers.

Characterization of hazards, welfare promoters and animal-based measures for the welfare assessment of dairy cows: Elicitation of expert opinion.

An expert opinion elicitation, based on a modified Delphi technique, was organized to collect the opinion of 16 Italian veterinarians with the aim of conducting a hazard and a welfare promoter characterization for defining and weighing a list of management and housing factors potentially associated with negative or positive welfare outcomes in dairy cows kept in loose housing systems. In addition, the 16 experts judged a set of animal-based measures in order to rate them by appropriateness and by the level of animal pain and suffering due to the welfare consequences they measure. Veterinary experts were asked to score 52 hazards, 47 welfare promoters and 18 animal-based measures. Management and housing hazards, that were determined to be associated with a very high impact on the welfare of dairy cows, were mainly referred to lactating cows (absence of bedding material, presence of inadequate or slippery floor in walking areas, wrong design of the lying area), but also the use of harmful tools for animal handling and the lack of scheduled foot inspection, trimming and foot bathing reached very high impact scores. Management and housing welfare promoters dealing with optimal cow comfort around resting obtained the highest ratings, together with the presence of experienced and trained stockpersons, the implementation of an attentive animal grouping strategy and the control of temperature, humidity and ventilation. Considering animal-based measures, the highest ranking of importance was given to observation of lameness, records of mortality of adult cows and calves, observation of integument alterations and body condition scoring. This study has been the starting point for the development of the first Italian national protocol for the assessment of the welfare of dairy cows farmed in loose housing systems.

Assessing circumstances and causes of dairy cow death in Italian dairy farms through a veterinary practice survey (2013-2014).

A questionnaire survey about on farm dairy cow mortality was carried out among veterinary practitioners in Italy between January 2013 and May 2014. The study aimed at investigating the main circumstances of death in dairy cows (euthanasia, emergency slaughter or unassisted death), the primary causes and the risk factors of death. Out of 251 dead cows involved (across 137 farms), 54.6% died assisted and 45.4% were found dead. The main causes of death were metabolic/digestive disorders (22.3%) and mastitis/udder problems (17.1%), while in 14.7% of all cases, reasons of death were unknown. From the univariable generalised linear mixed models, dry cows showed a significantly higher odds to die unassisted compared to lactating cows (OR=3.2); dry cows also had higher odds of dying from unknown reasons (OR=11.7). Season was not significantly related to the risk of dying unassisted and for unknown reasons, but during the summer (characterised by hot and muggy weather in Northern Italy) cows died mostly for problems at calving. 54.2% of cows died during the first 30days in milk (DIM). Half of the multiparous cows that died, died in the first 29.5 DIM, while half of the primiparous cows that died, died in the first 50 DIM. Results pointed out that, especially in dry cows, around calving and during the summer, some failure in management practices and daily inspections may occur. Improvements should be done in monitoring activities and in recognising early symptoms of diseases among stockperson. In addition, in case of diagnosed diseases with poor prognosis, euthanasia procedures should be implemented to prevent cows from dying unassisted.