Analysis of data to inform decision making in dairy animal practice is a cornerstone of modern dairy herd health work and is routinely carried out in areas such as fertility management and mastitis control. Mastitis in dairy herds continues to be important and relevant to veterinary advisors for many reasons, such as cow welfare, the cost of disease, the use of antimicrobials and the sustainability of farming and food supply, including environmental impact and waste milk. When implementing control measures to reduce mastitis infection rates on farm, herd level analysis of infection ‘patterns’ to inform decision making has been shown to be an important first step. Feedback from participants using the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Dairy Mastitis Control Plan previously indicated that the first stage of the Plan, analysing patterns and making a herd ‘diagnosis’, was often a difficult stage for Plan deliverers. The new AHDB Dairy QuarterPRO scheme offers an ‘entry-level’ method of routinely monitoring mastitis on farm and builds in a rapid method of assessing the predominant mastitis infection patterns present on farm, using somatic cell count and clinical mastitis records. A new fully automated mastitis pattern analysis report is now available to all milk recording dairy herds in the UK through their milk recording organisation, allowing routine assessment of the predominant pattern of infection, and enabling farmers and veterinary surgeons to highlight the most important area on their farm for mastitis control.

Purpose:To evaluate the success of behavioural interventions designed to improve preventative animal health planning by dairy farmers in Wales.Methods:Interviews of farmers, veterinarians; focus group with extension officers; post-hoc written reflections from project managers; survey of farmers and veterinarians; farmer dropout analysis.Findings:The combination of interventions inspired by the RESET model of behavioural change helped farmers to implement new animal health planning behaviours. Crucial to the success of the project was the brokering role of extension agents and curation of AKIS relationships by project managers. This led to the establishment of symbiotic relationships which helped to deliver successful behavioural interventions.Practical implications:Illustrates the need for strong project and AKIS management to deliver combined behavioural interventions to farmers. It also demonstrates the danger of narrow evaluation methods which fail to delve deeper into the symbiotic relationships needed to deliver interventions in practice.Theoretical implications:Adds empirical evidence to an integrated behavioural change model (RESET) and explicitly connects the concepts of knowledge brokering and social capital with successful delivery of behavioural change.Originality:(1) Contributes novel empirical evidence on how to effect farmer behaviour change based on a large-scale national project. (2) explicitly highlights knowledge brokering, social capital, and good project management as crucial to delivering behavioural change projects, (3) reflects on the value of mixed method evaluations of behavioural change projects.

LivestockVol. 27, No. 2 Self AssessmentMilk qualityJames BreenJames BreenRCVS recognised specialist in cattle health and production Map of Ag, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of NottinghamSearch for more papers by this authorJames BreenPublished Online:11 Mar 2022https://doi.org/10.12968/live.2022.27.2.72AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Manning A, Humphries R, Bradley, AJ. Descriptive study of Bactoscan failures on UK dairy farms (2010 to 2020). Proceedings of the British Mastitis Conference, Sixways, Worcester., 10 November 2021. The Dairy Group, The University of Nottingham, QMMS and BCVA. Google ScholarThompson JS, Huxley JN, Hudson CD, Kaler J, Gibbons J, Green MJ. Field survey to evaluate space allowances for dairy cows in Great Britain. J Dairy Sci. 2020;103(4):3745-3759. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17004 Crossref, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 March 2022Volume 27Issue 2ISSN (print): 2053-0862ISSN (online): 2053-0870 Metrics History Published online 11 March 2022 Published in print 2 March 2022 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedAcknowledgementsProf Andrew Bradley MRCVS, Al Manning MRCVS (QMMS Ltd.)PDF download

Background : Streptococcus uberis has been reported to be the most prevalent cause of mastitis in dairy cattle in the UK, incurring a huge cost to the dairy industry each year. Aim of the article : This article informs practitioners about developments in the research of S uberis and how these findings can be implemented in the field in terms of investigating a herd level outbreak.

The focus on the rational use of antibiotics in dairy herds has meant that mastitis control has received renewed interest, particularly around prevention of new infections and alternative treatment strategies. The former has seen the development of a new industry initiative (QuarterPRO) to help advisors and farmers reduce the rate of new infections and index cases. The latter has seen widespread uptake of the selective use of intramammary antibiotic for infected cows at drying-off, a reminder to the veterinary profession as well as clients about the general lack of evidence for the use of parenteral antibiotic in combination with intramammary antibiotic for mild and moderate clinical mastitis events, and finally the potential to select intramammary antibiotic treatment for clinical mastitis using on farm culture (OFC). It is important that veterinary surgeons are aware of the research around the development and use of OFC and the suitability of individual herds for this approach. Whereas antibiotics may not be required for mild clinical mastitis events caused by some pathogens, particularly Escherichia coli, it is important that clinical mastitis events (particularly first cases in a lactation cycle) caused by Gram-positive pathogens such as Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus are treated with intramammary antibiotic to optimise chance of cure and reduce risk of transmission. With this in mind, we need to consider individual herd cell count data, herd pathogen profile and ensure careful monitoring of outcomes for clinical mastitis cases in herds that are selecting treatment based on OFC, particularly for index (first) cases in a cow's lactation.

Dairy herd health management benefits dairy farmers, the environment, dairy cows and citizens. It is an important part of modern dairy farm veterinary care. Dairy herd health management is assessing, monitoring and improving the health of dairy cows at a population level. Good herd health management takes a holistic approach and is ongoing and cyclical. All members of the dairy farm team and their advisors are involved, decisions are informed by data generated by the herd. These data may come from numerous sources. The data are processed and analysed to monitor cow health, target investigations and evaluate progress. To make lasting change on farms, advisors must communicate appropriately with farm managers to understand behaviour and motivate change. This chapter reviews these aspects of dairy herd health management, giving practical suggestions on how to get started, how to incorporate herd health management into business models and how to maintain momentum.

The treatment of clinical mastitis on farm is always under the spotlight for veterinary surgeons due to the financial penalty of withholding milk from the bulk tank, the challenge of achieving a bacteriological cure during lactation compared with during a dry period and the importance of antibiotic use in dairy herds. This article focuses on the management of the FIRST clinical mastitis case in a cow's lactation, as this not only represents the best chance of achieving a bacteriological cure as well as a symptomatic one, but also puts emphasis on the need to measure the outcome of treatment approaches for first cases and the likely origin of first cases so that treatment can be avoided in the future.

Advice regarding the management and importance of the dry cow environment can be difficult to offer in many dairy herds for several reasons. These may include a perception that dry cow therapy (both internal teat sealant and antibiotic) is extremely effective at preventing infection, a lack of milk recording and/or mastitis data to enable analysis of mastitis epidemiology, suboptimal housing, a fundamental lack of focus on the dry period in favour of continued focus on milking hygiene and lactating cow management, or a combination of several of these reasons. However, for many herds that struggle to control mastitis, improving the dry cow environment will pay huge dividends in terms of reducing dry period new infection and improving apparent dry period cure rate. This article sets out those areas of dry cow environment management which appear particularly important for herds and their veterinary advisors to consider, and gives examples of improved control of mastitis following dry cow interventions for a spring calving, autumn calving and all year round calving herd.

LivestockVol. 24, No. Sup6 Cattle SupplementThe dry period in dairy cows: Effective dry cow managementRichard Laven, Al Manning, Peter Plate, James BreenRichard LavenMassey University Farm services, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 4442, Al ManningQuality Milk Management Services Ltd, Peter PlateRoyal Veterinary College, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester DT2 8PY, James BreenSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Evidence Group, Suite 1A, Cumbria House, Gilwilly Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9FFRichard Laven; Al Manning; Peter Plate; James BreenPublished Online:16 Mar 2020https://doi.org/10.12968/live.2019.24.S1.1AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 November 2019Volume 24Issue Sup6ISSN (print): 2053-0862ISSN (online): 2053-0870 Metrics History Published online 16 March 2020 Published in print 1 November 2019 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedKeywordsdry periodshortzeroudder healthenergy balancedry cow therapyteat sealantsmotivational interviewingmastitis controlselective dry cow therapyantibiotic useinternal teat sealantAcknowledgements:Professor Andrew Bradley and Professor Martin Green.PDF download

Teat disinfection in dairy herds is an important part of mastitis control, both to reduce infection pressure from the environment and to reduce risk of transmission of infection between cows. Despite much focus on mastitis as an endemic disease, clinical and subclinical mastitis remains an issue for many UK herds, often leading to a perception that changing the teat disinfection product may provide quick solutions. This article summarises the types of products available for both pre- and post-milking teat disinfection, the aim of both types of teat disinfectant and how they may be applied.

LivestockVol. 23, No. 3 Self AssessmentUnderstanding somatic cell count control in a seasonally calving herdJames BreenJames BreenSearch for more papers by this authorJames BreenPublished Online:14 May 2018https://doi.org/10.12968/live.2018.23.3.140AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 May 2018Volume 23Issue 3ISSN (print): 2053-0862ISSN (online): 2053-0870 Metrics History Published online 14 May 2018 Published in print 2 May 2018 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Veterinary RecordVolume 180, Issue 6 p. 154-155 Letter AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control Plan Andrew Bradley, Andrew Bradley QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorJames Breen, James Breen QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorKatharine Leach, Katharine Leach QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorJenny Gibbons, Jenny Gibbons AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TLSearch for more papers by this authorDerek Armstrong, Derek Armstrong AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TLSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Green, Martin Green University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this author Andrew Bradley, Andrew Bradley QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorJames Breen, James Breen QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorKatharine Leach, Katharine Leach QMMS, Cedar Barn, Easton, Wells, BA5 1DUSearch for more papers by this authorJenny Gibbons, Jenny Gibbons AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TLSearch for more papers by this authorDerek Armstrong, Derek Armstrong AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TLSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Green, Martin Green University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 February 2017 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.j680Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume180, Issue6February 2017Pages 154-155 RelatedInformation

Veterinary RecordVolume 180, Issue 7 p. 183-183 Letter Tool to measure antimicrobial use on farms Robert Hyde, Corresponding Author Robert Hyde svxrh1@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Green, Martin Green Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Remnant, John Remnant Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Down, Peter Down Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJon Huxley, Jon Huxley Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorPeers Davies, Peers Davies Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorChris Hudson, Chris Hudson Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJames Breen, James Breen Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this author Robert Hyde, Corresponding Author Robert Hyde svxrh1@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Green, Martin Green Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Remnant, John Remnant Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Down, Peter Down Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJon Huxley, Jon Huxley Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorPeers Davies, Peers Davies Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorChris Hudson, Chris Hudson Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this authorJames Breen, James Breen Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RDSearch for more papers by this author First published: 18 February 2017 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.j823Citations: 3Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume180, Issue7February 2017Pages 183-183 RelatedInformation

The benefits of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat and manage mastitis in dairy herds is well reported of reducing inflammation and for mediating endotoxin-induced effects. While there are few comparative studies in mastitis treatment, several products have been studied and outcomes reported for a range of outcome measures. This article briefly reviews the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and the role they play in the treatment of bovine mastitis, and expands on some recent research.

Although antibiotic use in the dairy sector is relatively low when compared with other species such as pigs and poultry, dairy herds are likely to come under increasing scrutiny regarding the use of antimicrobials to prevent endemic diseases, particularly in the context of mastitis control. While the treatment of existing infections remains an important part of mastitis herd health, it is prudent to consider the use of antibiotics in mastitis control within the framework of the British Veterinary Association's recent guide to the responsible use of antimicrobial drugs in veterinary practice. Working with clients to avoid the need for antimicrobials using disease control programmes is the first of eight points in the guide and the most important; the recent roll-out of the national DairyCo Mastitis Control Plan has prompted renewed interest in the prevention and control of new intramammary infections and therefore minimising the use of antibiotics in mastitis control.

ANTIMICROBIAL use in livestock continues to be a prominent topic in mainstream media and pressure to improve monitoring and reduce antimicrobial use is increasing across the livestock sector. The Governmentu0027s response to the Ou0027Neill report stated that Defra has committed to a reduction in antibiotic use in livestock and fish farmed for food, to a multispecies average of 50 mg/kg by 2018 (Department of Health 2016). There will be ongoing pressure to monitor and reduce antibiotic use at a farm and practice level.A variety of ways of measuring antimicrobial usage exist, the most common being mg of antimicrobials used per kg of livestock (mg/PCU [population corrected unit]), defined daily dose (DDDvet) or defined course dose (DCDvet). The last two methods are effectively an estimation of doses or courses of an …

In herds with confirmed contagious mastitis infection patterns (e.g. characterised by increased and non-seasonal new infection rates in lactation, persistently infected cows from previous lactations, and poor apparent cure rates across the dry period), disease control involves reducing the prevalence of infection and controlling the onward spread of infection to susceptible cows. The latter is particularly important to focus on given the poor chances of cure if treatment is attempted during lactation, and must involve a thorough review of the milking routine, including application of post-milking teat disinfection, segregation, disinfection, biosecurity and possible vaccination strategies if a high prevalence of S. aureus is demonstrated.

The control of new intra-mammary infections in dairy herds requires a herd diagnosis using available data, particularly clinical mastitis cases and individual cow somatic cell counts, backed up with bacteriology. For herds with predominantly environmental infection patterns of mainly lactating period origin, key items for prevention and control include ventilation, provision of additional space, bedding management for lactating cows, management of pasture for risk periods when grazing and pre-milking teat disinfection. The impact of several changes to management can be tracked using the lactation new infection rate and lactation origin rate, based on cell count and clinical cases respectively.