Salmonella infections in neonatal dairy calves.

To estimate herd prevalence of Salmonella spp, fecal specimens were obtained for culture from neonatal calves of 47 Ohio dairy herds. Of the 452 calves tested, 10 calves from 7 farms were culture-positive. Salmonella serotypes isolated were S dublin, S typhimurium, S enteritidis, S agona, S mbandaka, and S montevideo. Bulk tank milk filters from these dairies were also submitted for culture. Salmonella sp was isolated from 1 of the 50 filters, and 2 calves from this herd were found to be shedding Salmonella sp of the same serotype.     

Between-herd prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in bulk milk in Flanders, Belgium

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a highly infectious pathogen of cattle causing pneumonia, polyarthritis, otitis, and less frequently, subcutaneous abscesses, abortions and meningitis. Ineffective drugs treatments, culling of infected cows and loss of milk production can lead to significant economic loss on dairy farms. The early detection of cows excreting M. bovis bacteria to prevent mastitis outbreaks is warranted. Reports suggest that the risk of M. bovis mastitis is higher in larger dairy herds. The objective of this study is to estimate the herd-level prevalence of M. bovis in Flanders, Belgium by culturing bulk tank milk samples taken from dairy farms. Three bulk tank milk samples per dairy herd were taken over four weeks, with collection intervals of two weeks. Culturing was done after pre-incubation using modified Hayflicks media to increase the chances of recovery of bacteria. For the identification of M. bovis, tDNA intergenic spacer PCR was used. In three herds (1.5%) of the 200 herds sampled, M. bovis was isolated from one of the three consecutive bulk tank milk samples. We conclude that in Flanders in 2009 at least 1.5% of the dairy herds had one or more cows excreting M. bovis in the milk. The frequent monitoring of bulk tank milk to detect the presence of M. bovis, especially in expanding herds on farms that often purchase replacement animals, should be encouraged in order to detect the presence of M. bovis and to monitor the success of control procedures following an outbreak of mycoplasmal mastitis in the herd.     

Relationship between milk urea concentration and the fertility of dairy cows

The relationship between milk urea concentration and the fertility of dairy cows was examined in two studies. The first examined the relationship between bulk milk urea concentration and overall herd fertility, using data collected from 250 herds in the UK. There was no relationship either between bulk milk urea concentration and fertility, or between changes in bulk milk urea concentration and fertility. The second study compared the relationship between the milk urea concentration five days after service, and the fertility of individual cows on 11 UK dairy farms. There was no significant difference between the milk urea concentration of the cows that became pregnant and those that did not.     

Characteristics and management practices associated with milk production in dairy herds in Ohio enrolled in official Dairy Herd Improvement Association programs

OBJECTIVE: To determine herd characteristics and management practices associated with milk production in dairy herds enrolled in official Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) programs in Ohio. SAMPLE POPULATION: 186 dairy farms in Ohio. PROCEDURE: All herds in official DHIA programs in 9 counties were invited to participate. Information regarding herd characteristics and management practices was obtained, using a standardized questionnaire. Bulk-tank milk samples were obtained for bacteriologic culture. Official DHIA test-day records were obtained, and associations were identified, using multivariable ANOVA procedures. RESULTS: Of 479 eligible producers, 186 (39%) participated, and consecutive bulk-tank milk samples were available for culture from 172 (36%). Streptococcus agalactiae and Mycoplasma spp were not recovered from bulk-tank milk samples, but Staphylococcus aureus was recovered from 64 (37%) herds. Mean (+/- SD) number of lactating cows in participating herds was 97+/-66, with 123 (66%) herds milking < 100 cows. The RHA was significantly associated with number of cows in milk, estimated percentage of herd detected in estrus, reported annual percentage of heifer calves born alive that died before 8 weeks old, percentage days in milk, use of bovine somatotropin during the preceding 2 years, and sex of the person completing the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, the strongest indicator of milk production was number of cows in milk. However, merely adding cows to a herd should not be considered to guarantee increased milk production, because other management traits could be confounded with increased number of cows in a herd.     

Association between anti-F. hepatica antibody levels in milk and production losses in dairy cows

This study was conducted to determine: (1) the associations between anti-Fasciola hepatica antibody levels in milk and some productive and reproductive parameters in dairy cattle, and (2) the threshold antibody level associated with loss of productivity, at both herd and individual level. Anti-F. hepatica antibodies were analysed by MM3-SERO ELISA in milk samples from the bulk tanks of 490 dairy farms and from 686 lactating cows. The results of general linear model analysis revealed a significant (P<0.05) negative association between the F. hepatica infection status at herd level, determined by analysis of specific antibodies in bulk tank milk, and the average herd milk production. Highly positive herds (MM3-SERO ELISA result>0.405) produced an average of 1.5 kg milk/cow per day less than the negative herds. At cow-level, the mixed model analysis also revealed a significant (P<0.05) association between anti-F. hepatica antibody levels and milk yield. A significant (P<0.05) average reduction of 2 kg milk/day was observed in cows with highly positive ELISA results (>0.762) in relation to cows with negative results. The results of the study led us to conclude that MM3-SERO ELISA is a powerful tool that can be successfully applied, if appropriate "economic thresholds" are established, to identify herds and cows suffering from milk production losses associated with natural infection by F. hepatica.     

Evaluation of herd sampling for Salmonella isolation on midwest and northeast US dairy farms

Epidemiologic investigations of Salmonella infections in dairy cattle often rely on testing fecal samples from individual animals or samples from other farm sources to determine herd infection status. The objectives of this project were to evaluate the effect of sampling frequency on Salmonella isolation and to compare Salmonella isolation and serogroup classification among sample sources on 12 US dairy farms sampled weekly for 7-8 weeks. Three herds per state were enrolled from Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin based upon predefined herd-size criteria. Weekly samples were obtained from cattle, bulk tank milk, milk filters, water and feed sources and environmental sites. Samples were submitted to a central laboratory for isolation of Salmonella using standard laboratory procedures. The herd average number of cattle fecal samples collected ranged from 26 to 58 per week. Salmonella was isolated from 9.3% of 4049 fecal samples collected from cattle and 12.9% of 811 samples from other sources. Serogroup C1 was found in more than half of the samples and multiple serogroups were identified among isolates from the same samples and farms. The percentage of herd visits with at least one Salmonella isolate from cattle fecal samples increased with overall herd prevalence of fecal shedding. Only the three herds with an average fecal shedding prevalence of more than 15% had over 85% of weekly visits with at least one positive fecal sample. The prevalence of fecal shedding from different groups of cattle varied widely among herds showing that herds with infected cattle may be classified incorrectly if only one age group is tested. Testing environmental sample sources was more efficient for identifying infected premises than using individual cattle fecal samples.     

基于DHI数据对奶牛部分生产性状的影响因素分析

依据宁夏地区奶牛场日常管理及饲养状况,从DHI参测场中选择15个奶牛场为调查分析对象,收集了2013-2016年泌乳牛的400 701条DHI数据,剔除异常指标,运用SAS 9.0软件中的一般线性模型,分析了宁夏地区牛群产奶性状、乳脂率和乳蛋白率的影响因素。结果表明,不同牛场、不同测定年份、不同产犊季节及不同胎次对奶牛产奶量、乳脂率和乳蛋白率都有一定的影响。该结果为宁夏地区奶牛场更科学有效的管理提供建设性意见,从而帮助牛场提高奶牛群体整体质量,获得更高的生产效率和经济效益。     

The effects of one-time hoof trimming on blood biochemical composition, milk yield, and milk composition in dairy cows

Although not scientifically proven, hoof trimming has been empirically shown to increase milk yields in healthy dairy cows. In this study, we examined the effect of one-time hoof trimming on blood biochemical composition, milk yield, and milk composition in healthy dairy cows. Eleven cows in the mid to late lactation period that were clinically fit and without hoof disease were subjected to hoof trimming, and metabolic profile tests and dairy herd improving tests were performed before and three weeks after the hoof trimming. The metabolic profiles showed changes in albumin, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, glucose, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid as a result of the hoof trimming. This was indicated by the fact that the cows began to intake more roughage after hoof trimming than prior to hoof trimming, and rumen fermentation became stable. There was no change in milk yield after trimming. However, the milk fat and milk protein compositions were significantly increased after trimming.     

Effect of a peri-parturient eprinomectin treatment of dairy cows on milk production

AIM: To quantify and economically evaluate the effect on milk production of peri-parturient treatment of dairy cows with eprinomectin. METHODS: On 3 farms in separate geographic areas of New Zealand, 849 first-calf heifers and multiparous cows were ranked and paired within parity, date of calving and expected milk production. Within pairs, cows were randomly allocated to treatment with either a commercial formulation of eprinomectin, applied at a dose rate of 500 mug/kg liveweight, or an equivalent volume of vehicle containing no antiparasitic agent and administered at the same dose volume, generally within the first week post-calving. On each farm, trial cows shared the same pasture. Over a single lactation, records were maintained of milk quantity and content. RESULTS: Trichostrongylid eggs were identified in pre-treatment faecal samples from all farms, verifying the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Overall 25.5% of the cows sampled were positive for nematode eggs, but only 8% had counts 50 eggs per gram of faeces (epg). Daily milk volume, milk protein and milksolids (yield of milk fat + milk protein) were higher for eprinomectin-treated multiparous cows than for controls (milk volume: 20.36 l/day vs 19.76 l/day, p=0.005; milk protein: 0.700 kg/day vs 0.685 kg/day, p=0.012; milksolids: 1.613 kg/day vs 1.583 kg/day, p=0.031, respectively). The daily value of the increased production from eprinomectin-treated multiparous cows was estimated to be NZ0.034 dollar for milk fat (p=0.095) and NZ0.078 dollar for milk protein (p=0.012), equating to NZ0.104 dollars for milksolids (p=0.031), averaged over the whole lactation. No significant difference in milk production was detected between treated and control first-calf heifers. Averaged over the whole herd, the peri-parturient treatment of multiparous cows and first-calf heifers with eprinomectin increased daily milk volume and milk protein production of treated vs control cows (19.28 l/day vs 18.86 l/day, p=0.020, and 0.661 kg/day vs 0.650 kg/day, p=0.047, respectively). CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence that the use of a peri-parturient treatment of eprinomectin on multiparous cows can increase their production of fluid milk and milksolids.     

A field study on the effects of dietary monensin on milk production and milk composition in dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of 16 ppm of dietary monensin on milk production and composition of dairy cows, and to investigate factors having a potential impact on this effect. Data were generated from a total of 3577 Holstein dairy cows (47 herds) in Quebec enrolled in a herd-level, randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of monensin supplementation. Milk production and composition data were collected from monthly dairy herd improvement (DHI) testing. Monensin increased milk production by 0.9 kg/cow/d in cows under 150 days in milk (DIM) (P < 0.05). Monensin decreased milk fat percentage by 0.18 percentage points during the whole lactation (P < 0.05). This decreasing effect was larger for component-fed cows (P < 0.05) and for cows being fed low levels of dietary physically effective particles (P < 0.05) when compared respectively to cows fed total mixed ration and cows fed high levels of dietary physically effective particles. The results of this study suggest that monensin influences milk production and milk composition of dairy cows, and that diet composition and feeding system influence those effects.     

Prevalence of Salmonella spp on conventional and organic dairy farms

OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of fecal shedding, persistence of shedding over time, and serogroup classification of Salmonella spp on a large number of dairy farms of various sizes. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 22,417 fecal samples from cattle and 4,570 samples from the farm environment on 110 organic and conventional dairy farms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and NewYork. PROCEDURE: 5 visits were made to each farm at 2-month intervals from August 2000 to October 2001. Fecal samples from healthy cows, calves, and other targeted cattle groups and samples from bulk tank milk, milk line filters, water, feed sources, and pen floors were collected at each visit. Bacterial culture was performed at 1 laboratory. RESULTS: Salmonella spp were isolated from 4.8% of fecal samples and 5.9% of environmental samples; 92.7% of farms had at least 1 Salmonella-positive sample. The 75th percentile for median within-herd prevalence of Salmonella spp in cattle for 5 sampling visits to a given farm was 2.0% and for maximum within-herd prevalence of Salmonella spp was 13.6%. Farms with a median within-herd prevalence of Salmonella spp of > or = 2.0% accounted for 76.3% of Salmonella-positive samples. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella spp between conventional and organic farms. Seasonal differences in Salmonella shedding were observed. More farms had at least 1 serogroup B isolate than any other serogroup, whereas serogroup E1 was the most common among all Salmonella-positive samples. More than 1 serogroup was isolated on 76.4% of Salmonella-positive farms. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Salmonella spp were isolated from > 90% of dairy farms; however, 25% of farms accounted for > 75% of Salmonella-positive samples. This information is critical for the direction of intervention strategies to decrease the prevalence of Salmonella spp on dairy farms.     

Bulk tank milk selenium and its association with milk production parameters in Canadian dairy herds

An observational study was conducted in 63 Canadian dairy farms to evaluate the association of bulk tank milk selenium (Se) concentration (BTSe) with average daily milk yield, milk fat and milk protein, bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC), and the probability of being a Staphylococcus aureus-positive herd. Bulk tank milk samples collected between March 2007 and February 2008 were evaluated for BTSCC, S. aureus culture status, and BTSe. Mean BTSe was 0.51 ± 0.15 μmol/L; no herds were classified as deficient or marginal based on BTSe. Bulk tank milk Se was unconditionally associated with milk production; however, adjusting by region indicated a confounding effect of this variable. There was no relationship between BTSe and BTSCC. Higher values of BTSe were associated with lower risk of being a S. aureus-positive herd, possibly as a result of a more robust udder immune response, or as a result of providing Se at a higher rate as one component of an udder health program that reduces risk of being S. aureus positive.     

Paratuberculosis sero-status and milk production,SCC and calving interval in Irish dairy herds

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of paratuberculosis sero-status on milk yield, fat, protein, somatic cell count and calving interval in Irish dairy herds. Serum from all animals over 12 months of age (n = 2,602) in 34 dairy herds was tested for antibodies to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis using an ELISA. Herds were categorised by sero-status into positive, non-negative and negative, where a positive herd contained two or more positive cows, a non-negative herd contained only one positive cow and a negative herd contained no positive cows. Data at animal, parity and herd-level were analysed by multiple regression using general linear models. Positive herds (mean herd size = 129 cows) and non-negative herds (81 cows) were larger than negative herds (72 cows) (P < 0.01). Negative herds had the highest economic breeding index (EBI), while positive herds had the highest estimated breeding value (EBV) for milk yield. There was no significant effect of paratuberculosis sero-status at animal, parity or herd-level on milk yield, milk fat or protein production, somatic cell count score (SCCS) or calving interval. Negative herds tended to have a lower SCCS than positive and nonnegative herds (P = 0.087). This study only examined the effects of paratuberculosis sero-status but did not examine the clinical effects of Johne's disease at the farm or dairy industry levels.     

Prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella spp in dairy herds

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of Salmonella spp in Ohio dairy farms and to identify potential risk factors for fecal shedding of salmonellae. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 105 Ohio dairy farms. PROCEDURE: Individual fecal samples from all mature cows in study herds were tested for Salmonella spp by use of standard bacteriologic culture procedures. Herds were identified as infected if at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Information regarding herd characteristics, management practices, and health history were collected. Potential risk factors for herd-level Salmonella infection were identified. RESULTS: In 31% of the study herds (95% confidence interval, 22 to 40%), at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Six percent of 7,776 fecal samples contained Salmonella organisms; prevalence within infected herds ranged from < 1 to 97%. Herd size, use of free stalls for lactating and nonlactating cows, and use of straw bedding in nonlactating cows were significantly associated with fecal shedding of Salmonella spp, as determined by use of univariate analysis. By use of multivariate analysis, large herds were more likely to be infected than smaller herds; however, no other factors were associated with Salmonella infection after adjustment for herd size. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical shedding of Salmonella spp is common in Ohio dairy herds, although we could not identify specific interventions that may influence the prevalence of Salmonella spp on dairy farms. It appears that large herd size and intensive management may provide an environment conducive to Salmonella shedding and chronic dairy herd infection.     

Mycoplasmal mastitis in a dairy herd

In October 1985, mycoplasmas were isolated from bulk tank milk samples in a large Florida dairy (greater than 1,400 lactating cows). At that time, measures to isolate and control the spread of infection were instituted. In an initial screening test, Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from 21 of 153 milking string samples (milk from all quarters of 10 cows/string). Composite quarter milk samples from all quarters of every individual lactating cow in the herd were obtained for culture in November 1985 and December 1985. In October, 88 of 1,535 (5.7%) cows were identified as Mycoplasma-positive. An additional 31 Mycoplasma-infected cows were identified in December. The dairy elected to maintain the infected cows in a separate Mycoplasma-positive subherd, which would be milked at the end of each milking session. Seven additional Mycoplasma-positive cows were identified at initiation of lactation. All newly identified infected cows were transferred to the Mycoplasma-positive subherd. After segregation of Mycoplasma-positive cows, bulk tank milk samples obtained routinely from the main herd remained culture negative throughout the study. From February 1986 to October 1986, quarter milk samples were obtained monthly from cows in the Mycoplasma-positive subherd. Any cow that developed clinical mastitis or substantial decrease in milk production was, at the discretion of the herdsman, culled. Of the 126 cows in the subherd, 22 (17.5%) were culled for mastitis, 35 (27.8%) were culled for low production, and 9 (7.1%) were culled for other reasons. Of the remaining 60 cows, 16 (12.7% of the 126 cows) were Mycoplasma-positive on the basis of results from one or more samples obtained after February 1986.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The prevalence, incidence, geographical distribution, antimicrobial sensitivity patterns and plasmid profiles of milk filter Salmonella isolates from Ontario dairy farms.

The prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution of Salmonella on dairy farms in southwestern Ontario were determined by culturing bulk milk filters from 511 randomly selected dairy farms. Milk filters from 22 farms (2.9%) were Salmonella-positive, with a cumulative incidence rate of 9.0% per year. Positive farms were distributed throughout southwestern Ontario, but were regionally clustered. The serotype, biotype, antimicrobial sensitivity pattern and plasmid profile of the Salmonella isolates from six farms where Salmonella were recovered on two occasions were identical. All of the Salmonella strains isolated were sensitive to commonly used antimicrobials.     

Effect of paratuberculosis on culling, milk production, and milk quality in dairy herds

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of paratuberculosis on culling, milk production, and milk quality in infected dairy herds. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 689 lactating dairy cows in 9 herds. PROCEDURE: Milk, blood, and fecal samples were obtained from all cows. Fecal samples were evaluated via mycobacterial culture. Serum samples were tested with a commercially available ELISA for antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis, and preserved milk samples were tested with an ELISA for antibodies against M paratuberculosis. Mixed effect and proportional hazards models were used to determine the effect of paratuberculosis on 305-day milk, fat, and protein production; somatic cell count linear score; and the risk of culling. RESULTS: Cows with positive results of bacteriologic culture of feces and milk ELISA produced less milk, fat, and protein, compared with herdmates with negative results. No difference in 305-day milk or fat production was detected in cows with positive results of serum ELISA, compared with seronegative cows. The 3 survival analyses revealed that cows with positive results of each test were at higher risk of being culled than cows with negative results. Paratuberculosis status, as determined by use of all 3 diagnostic tests, was not associated with milk somatic cell count linear score. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that for the 9 herds in this study, paratuberculosis significantly decreased milk production and cow longevity.     

Risk of removal and effects on milk production associated with paratuberculosis status in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects on production and risk of removal related to Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) infection at the individual animal level in dairy cattle. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: 7,879 dairy cows from 38 herds in 16 states. PROCEDURE: A subset of dairy cattle operations that participated in the National Animal Health Monitoring System Dairy 2002 study was evaluated via a serum ELISA for antibodies against MAP and categorized according to ELISA score. Dairy Herd Improvement Association records were obtained to collect current and historical lactation data and removal (ie, culling) information. Production variables were evaluated on the basis of serum ELISA category. RESULTS: Cows with strong positive results had mature equivalent (ME) 305-day milk production, ME 305-day maximum milk production, and total lifetime milk production that were significantly lower than cows in other categories. No differences were observed for ME 305-day fat and protein percentages, age, lactation, and lactation mean linear somatic cell count score between cows with strong positive results and those with negative results. After accounting for lactation number and relative herd-level milk production, cows with strong positive results were significantly more likely to have been removed by 1 year after testing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Without management changes designed to reduce the farm-level prevalence of MAP infection, paratuberculosis will continue to reduce farm income by decreasing milk production and potentially increasing premature removal from the herd.     

Risk factors for abomasal displacement in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether various periparturient events or 305-day milk production during the previous lactation period were associated with abomasal displacement in dairy cows. DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control study. ANIMALS: 75 pairs of case and control cows from 3 university-owned and 3 commercial dairy herds. PROCEDURE: Cows with abomasal displacement were matched with control cows on the basis of herd of origin, breed, age, and calving date. Frequency of specific periparturient events during the period from 2 weeks prior to parturition to diagnosis of abomasal displacement, as well as milk production during the preceding lactation period, were compared between case and control cows. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses indicated that case cows were significantly more likely to have had retained placenta, ketosis, a stillborn calf, metritis, twins, or parturient paresis than were control cows. Dystocia, mastitis, and milk production during the previous lactation period were not associated with abomasal displacement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results indicated that a variety of periparturient events were associated with development of abomasal displacement among dairy cows.