Quantitative risk assessment of introduction of BVDV and BoHV-1 through indirect contacts based on implemented biosecurity measures in dairy farms of Spain.

A stochastic quantitative risk assessment model was developed to estimate the annual probability of introduction of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) on 127 dairy farms through indirect contacts. Vehicles transporting calves, cattle to slaughterhouse, dead animals, and mixture of feed, as well as visits by veterinarians and hoof trimmers, farm workers and contacts with neighbors were considered in the model. Data from biosecurity questionnaires of each farm, scientific literature and expert opinion from field veterinarians, animal vehicle drivers, hoof trimmers and personnel from rendering transport companies were used to estimate values for input parameters. Results showed that the annual probability of introducing BVDV or BoHV-1 through indirect contacts was very heterogeneous. The overall distribution of median values for each farm ranged from 0.5 to 14.6% and from 1.0 to 24.9% for BVDV and BoHV-1, respectively. The model identified that providing protective clothing and boots to visits, not allowing the animal vehicle driver to come into contact with animals present on the farm and ensuring that calf vehicles arrived empty, were the measures with the highest impact on the probability of infection for most farms. This model could be a useful tool to show the impact of the measures to farmers and veterinarians, thus increasing their awareness on biosecurity. In addition, it could support decision making on which measures should be prioritized in dairy cattle herds to reduce the probability of introduction of diseases.

Development of a quantitative risk assessment of bovine viral diarrhea virus and bovine herpesvirus-1 introduction in dairy cattle herds to improve biosecurity.

A quantitative risk assessment model was developed to estimate the annual probability of introducing bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) at the farm level through animal movements. Data from 2017 official animal movements, biosecurity questionnaires, scientific literature, and expert opinion from field veterinarians were taken into consideration for model input parameters. Purchasing or introducing cattle, rearing replacement heifers offsite, showing cattle at competitions, sharing transport vehicles with other herds, and transporting cattle in vehicles that have not been cleaned and disinfected were considered in the model. The annual probability of introducing BVDV or BoHV-1 through infected animals was very heterogeneous between farms. The median likelihoods of BVDV and BoHV-1introduction were 12 and 9%, respectively. Farms that purchased cattle from within their region (i.e., local movements) and shared transport with other farms had a higher probability for BVDV and BoHV-1 introduction. This model can be a useful tool to support decision-making on biosecurity measures that should be prioritized to reduce the probability of introduction of these 2 diseases in dairy herds.

Robot milking and relationship with culling rate in dairy cows.

Cow routines and behavioral responses are altered substantially following the installation of robot milking. The present study was designed to analyze the effect that switching from milking parlor to automatic milking system (AMS) had on the culling rate (due to various causes) of dairy cattle. For this purpose, culling records and causes for culling were tracked in 23 dairy farms in the Galicia region (NW Spain). The animals in these farms were monitored for 5 years. For the present study, that length of time was divided into three different stages, as follows: 2 years before switching from a milking parlor to AMS (stage 1), the 1st year following the implementation of AMS (stage 2) and the 2nd and 3rd years succeeding the implementation of AMS (stage 3). Cox models for survival analysis were used to estimate the time to culling due to different reasons during stage 1 in relation to stages 2 and 3. The data indicated that the risk of loss due to death or emergency slaughter decreased significantly following the installation of AMS. In contrast, the risk of culling due to low production, udder problems, infertility or lameness increased significantly. Low-production cows (such as cows in advanced lactation due to infertility) or sick cows (such as mastitic or lame cows) allegedly have a noticeable effect both on the performance and the amortization of the cost of AMS, which in turn would lead to a higher probability of elimination than in conventional systems.

Effect of introducing piglets from farrow-to-finish breeding farms into all-in all-out fattening batches in Spain on productive parameters and economic profit.

A prospective study was conducted to assess the effect of introduction of piglets from farrow-to-finish farms on the global performance of all-in all-out fattening batches in Galicia (NW Spain). Two hundred and thirty-nine fattening batches from 48 fattening farms integrated in a cooperative were used in the study. All-in all-out fattening batches were classified according to the category of farm that supplied the piglets. Origin F was a fattening batch where all feeder piglets came from one or more farrow to feeder units versus origin FF, in case a group of piglets or all piglets of the batch came from farrow-to-finish farms. Productive parameters of fattening batches included in the study were recorded. Crude comparisons of performance of 37 fattening batches from origin F and 202 from origin FF were made. Mixed multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between type of origin of feeder piglets and the following parameters: feed consumed per market hog, percentage of deaths (mortality) and time to slaughter. In all models, variables with presumable relationships with the outcomes were offered to the models as well as the biologically plausible interaction terms. Mortality was higher in fattening batches with piglets coming from farrow-to-finish farms (0.67% higher than origin F; P<0.05). Time to slaughter was longer when feeder piglets were from origin FF (3.1 days longer; P<0.05). We found a significant effect of type of origin on feed consumed per marketed hog. Additionally, a significant interaction was found: feed consumed per marketed hog was higher for fattening batches with all piglets from farrow-to-finish farms if slaughtered before 109 days and vice versa. A Monte Carlo simulation model was used to assess the economic impact of using origin F or FF as source of piglets. Results of the model indicated that the difference in expected profit per marketed hog between the types of sources of piglets was small (11.50 Euros, S.D. 1.79 for origin F versus 10.44 Euros, S.D. 2.72, for origin FF).