Point source exposure of cattle to Neospora caninum consistent with periods of common housing and feeding and related to the introduction of a dog

Eight dairy herds with evidence of post-natal transmission of Neospora caninum were used to test the hypothesis of a point source exposure by a retrospective analysis of the housing and feeding of infected age-groups. The first N. caninum-associated abortion or birth of N. caninum-seropositive offspring from the post-natally infected age-group was considered as the first indication of the infection. In seven of the eight dairy herds, a point source exposure to N. caninum of the infected age-groups was found during a limited period of common housing and feeding. In all herds studied, the analysis indicated that the cattle had been infected shortly before the first abortions occurred. In all, except one herd, the post-natal infection was more directly related to housing than to feeding. Therefore, it appeared that the feed was contaminated in the feeding alley. In one herd, the total mixed ration was found to be the probable path of infection. In all farms studied, a new dog (young, adult dog or litter) had been introduced within a period of 1.5 years prior to the first indication of N. caninum infection in the cattle. As there was evidence in all herds of vertical transmission of neosporosis for years, it is hypothesized that the newly introduced dog was infected with N. caninum by materials from already infected cattle and subsequently transmitted the infection to other cattle by shedding of oocysts.     

全株玉米青贮饲料饲喂肉牛增重效果试验

试验选择10月龄左右,体重相近的西门塔尔公牛20头,随机分两组,每组10头,在精料补充水平相同的情况下,饲喂全株玉米青贮饲料和黄贮玉米青贮饲料进行对比分析,为全株玉米青贮饲料饲喂肉牛提供理论数据,并在今后同地区或相似地区的肉牛规模养殖场进行广泛推广。     

饲料中娄地青霉(P.roqueforti)的检测

饲料中霉菌及其毒素的污染严重影响畜牧生产和人类健康 ,娄地青霉 (P .roquefortin)是饲料中新近发现的产毒霉菌 ,特别是在青贮饲料中有较高的检出率。其所产毒素对动物有明显的毒性作用 ,值得重视。本试验检测了 1 1 1份饲料样品 ,分别来自德国和中国的猪场、牛场以及鸡场 ,包括玉米、玉米青贮、牧草青贮以及混合饲料和牧草在内的多种饲料。通过霉菌形态学检查 ,对上述样品进行了全面检测 ,确定饲料中霉菌的含量为 2 0 0～ 8 0 0CFU/g饲料 ,青贮料中的优势菌为娄地青霉     

关于和顺县种草养牛战略的思考与建议

作者提出了和顺县种草养牛的关键战略措施——种植青贮玉米,阐述了和顺县种植青贮玉米的现状,分析指出存在的问题,提出了实施种植青贮玉米的建议。     

Prevalence of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection in Hungarian cattle herds.

Hungarian cattle herds were surveyed for bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection by ELISA of milk and serum samples. In 1993, 75% of the large cattle herds (consisting of more than 50 cattle) and all small herds (small-scale producers' stocks), while in 1997 90% of the small herds were included in the survey. In the case of large herds, 79.3% of the herds and 64.1% of the samples tested were found to be positive. Of the small herds, 13.5% and 15.7% tested positive in 1993 and 1997, respectively. The majority of large herds were Holstein-Friesian dairy stocks. Small herds with an infection rate markedly exceeding the average were found in those counties where the small herds had been in close contact with the large-scale farms, or where new herds were established by using animals of uncontrolled infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) status originating from large farms. Attention is called to the importance of maintaining the IBR-free status of small herds that constitute one-third of the Hungarian cattle population.     

马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料对肉牛瘤胃内环境及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料对肉牛瘤胃内环境及血清生化指标的影响.选择4头平均体重(455.00±19.50)kg的健康秦川杂交肉牛,随机分配到4×4拉丁方试验设计中.4组分别为:1)对照组,40％精料+60％玉米秸秆黄贮料;2)S25组,40％精料+45％玉米秸秆黄贮料+15％马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料;3)S50组,40％精料+30％玉米秸秆黄贮料+30％马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料;4)S75组,40％精料+15％玉米秸秆黄贮料+45％马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料.结果表明:各组肉牛平均日增重、干物质采食量和蛋白质摄入量均差异不显著(P＞0.05).S25、S50和S75组肉牛瘤胃液氨态氮浓度均高于对照组(P＞0.05),分别提高了58.96％、36.35％、26.17％.各组乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、戊酸、总挥发性脂肪酸浓度和乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、戊酸比例及乙酸/丙酸、(乙酸+丁酸)/丙酸均无显著差异(P＞0.05).各组间血清总蛋白、尿素氮和葡萄糖含量均无显著差异(P＞0.05).由此可知,马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料替代部分玉米秸秆黄贮料能提高肉牛瘤胃液氨态氮浓度,对瘤胃液挥发性脂肪酸含量和血清生化指标无影响.马铃薯淀粉渣和玉米秸秆混合青贮料可以替代肉牛饲粮中75％的玉米秸秆黄贮料.     

Natural changes in the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) among Estonian cattle

The results of a survey conducted during 1993-2000 to study the spread of bovine viral diarrhoeal virus (BVDV) among Estonian cattle are presented. The BVDV infection status of a representative random sample of cattle herds housing 20 or more dairy cows was established to estimate the prevalence of herds with active BVDV infection [potentially having persistently infected (PI) cattle--suspect PI herds]. The herds investigated comprised approximately 70% of all Estonian dairy cows. The BVDV infection status was established in 315-350 herds (making the sampling fraction about 20%) during three sampling periods: 1993-95, 1997-98, 1999-2000. BVDV antibodies were detected in herd bulk milk samples and/or sera from young stock by a liquid-phase-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed in the Danish Veterinary Institute for Virus Research. The results of the survey demonstrate the reduction in the prevalence of herds with active BVDV infection in the studied fraction of the Estonian cattle population. During the first sampling period (1993-95) a prevalence of 46% (+/- 5%) for suspect PI herds was observed, during the second sampling period this prevalence was 16% (+/- 3%) and in the third period it was 18% (+/- 3%). As there is no control programme for BVDV in Estonia, the observed changes reflect the natural course of the infection in the study population. A possible cause for these changes is the decreased trade in breeding animals as a result of the economic difficulties present in cattle farming during the study period. The farming practices (most large herds are managed as closed herds) and the low density of cattle farms have obviously facilitated the self-clearance of herds from the BVDV infection, diminishing the new introduction of infection into the herds.     

Effects of sustained control of brushtail possums on levels of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle and brushtail possum populations from Hohotaka, New Zealand

AIMS: To examine the effect of reducing the abundance of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) on the distribution and prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis, Tb) in possums and the incidence of Tb in domestic cattle on a group of farms in the central North Island, New Zealand. METHODS: The cumulative yearly incidence of Tb infection from 12 cattle herds was estimated from annual tuberculin testing and abattoir inspection data over the period 1983-98. Intensive control of possum populations began for six of the herds in 1988, five herds in 1994 and the remaining herd in 1996. The prevalence and distribution of macroscopic M. bovis infection in possums and an index of possum abundance was estimated during yearly cross-sectional surveys from 1988 to 1998. This enabled formal testing of the link between the abundance of tuberculous possums and the incidence of Tb in cattle. RESULTS: Before possum control, infected possums were clustered in foci on or adjacent to the farms with the highest annual incidence of tuberculosis in cattle, and had an overall prevalence of macroscopic M. bovis infection of 2.3%. The prevalence of disease declined to zero with ongoing possum control, although infected possums continued to be found during the first 5 years of control. Maintaining the possum population at an average of 22.1% of its pre-control density significantly reduced the odds of the cumulative yearly incidence of Tb in cattle by 77% during the first 5 years of possum control and a further 65% in the second 5-year period. Nine of 11 tuberculous possums identified since the start of possum control were found within the areas where infected possums were clustered during the pre-control survey, suggesting that the persistence of infection within these clusters rather than infected immigrants was the source of ongoing disease. Annual estimates of the prevalence of tuberculous possums broadly followed the predictions of Barlow's possum-Tb model for a controlled possum population. CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that tuberculous possums transmit bovine tuberculosis to domestic cattle, and therefore that reducing the abundance of tuberculous possums reduces the incidence of Tb in cattle. If the level of possum culling is sufficient, it appears that M. bovis infection may be eradicated from possum populations. Better information on population density, rate of increase and annual culling rates would have been needed for a truly independent examination of the Barlow possum-Tb model.     

Prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle and dogs from Western Amazon, Brazil, in association with some possible risk factors

For evaluation of the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and its associated risk factors, serum samples from 2109 cattle (11 beef, 50 dairy and 25 mixed farms) and 174 dogs were examined in the State of Rond?nia, Western Amazon, Brazil. An inquiry was applied in each farm. Sera were examined by the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) using cut off dilution of 1:25 for cattle and 1:50 for dogs. Statistical association between the serologic status and several variables were analyzed by linear and logistic regression. The overall herd prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies for 86 farms was 72% (61.3-81.2%). Prevalence values were 100, 70 and 64% in beef, dairy and mixed herds, respectively. Herd prevalence in beef herds was significantly different (P<0.05) from dairy and mixed herds. The overall animal prevalence of N. caninum in cattle was 8.8%. Prevalence values by animal were similar in different production types (P>0.05), with values of 9.5, 11.2 and 9.7% for beef, dairy or mixed cattle, respectively. Antibodies were found in 12.6% of the 174 examined dogs. Sixteen (22.8%) out of 70 farms with dogs had at least one dog with anti-N. caninum antibodies. The occurrence of antibodies in cattle was statistically associated with farms having more than 25 cows (OR 9.7, 95% IC 2.9-32.2; P=0.0002). There was no significant association between the presence of the dogs, jungle contact or reproductive variables with the occurrence of antibodies in cattle.     

Brucella abortus infection in 14 farm dogs

Fourteen dogs were obtained from 10 farms with Brucella-infected cattle and were studied for periods ranging from 2 to 81 days. At necropsy, Brucella abortus biovar 4 was isolated from all 14 dogs. Mandibular, medial retropharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and mesenteric lymph nodes yielded the highest rate of recovery. Urogenital infection with active shedding was seen in a single aged bitch. Fecal samples (291 from 13 dogs) were B abortus culture negative. Ten dogs monitored serologically over time had standard tube agglutination test titers that fluctuated between 1:50 with incomplete reaction and greater than or equal to 1:200 with positive reaction. At necropsy, the magnitude of seroconversion was not directly related to the number of culture-positive tissues. The maximal duration of infection, based on the time interval between the last possible exposure to infected cattle and recovery of the organism at necropsy, was 464 days. If it were assumed that infection occurred at about the same time as seroconversion in the cattle herd of origin, maximal observed duration of infection was 539 days. The actual maximal duration of infection could not be determined from this study, but would have exceeded the values reported here. The data indicate that dogs have the potential to infect cattle and could pose a threat for longer duration of disease transmission than had previously been assumed. Although the risk of transmission appears small, infection of human beings or cattle associated with Brucella-infected dogs would cause unfavorable political and economic consequences, particularly in low-incidence areas. Removal of contact dogs from infected herds should prevent such transmission.     

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from free-ranging deer and rabbits surrounding Minnesota dairy herds

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) among deer and rabbits surrounding infected and noninfected Minnesota dairy farms using fecal culture, and to describe the frequency that farm management practices were used that could potentially lead to transmission of infection between these species. Fecal samples from cows and the cow environment were collected from 108 Minnesota dairy herds, and fecal pellets from free-ranging white-tailed deer and eastern cottontail rabbits were collected from locations surrounding 114 farms; all samples were tested using bacterial culture. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to 114 herd owners. Sixty-two percent of the dairy herds had at least 1 positive fecal pool or environmental sample. A total of 218 rabbit samples were collected from 90% of the herds, and 309 deer samples were collected from 47% of the herds. On 2 (4%) of the farms sampled, 1 deer fecal sample was MAP positive. Both farms had samples from the cow fecal pool and cow environment that were positive by culture. On 2 (2%) other farms, 1 rabbit fecal sample was positive by culture to MAP, with one of these farms having positive cow fecal pools and cow environmental samples. Pasture was used on 79% of the study farms as a grazing area for cattle, mainly for dry cows (75%) and bred or prebred heifers (87%). Of the 114 farms, 88 (77%) provided access to drylot for their cattle, mainly for milking cows (77/88; 88%) and bred heifers (87%). Of all study farms, 90 (79%) used some solid manure broadcasting on their crop fields. Of all 114 farms, the estimated probability of daily physical contact between cattle manure and deer or rabbits was 20% and 25%, respectively. Possible contact between cattle manure and deer or rabbits was estimated to occur primarily from March through December. The frequency of pasture or drylot use and manure spreading on crop fields may be important risk factors for transmission of MAP among dairy cattle, deer, and rabbits. Although the MAP prevalence among rabbits and deer is low, their role as MAP reservoirs should be considered.     

Problems with the interpretation of epidemiological data in heartwater: a study on 23 farms

In an epidemiological study undertaken on 23 farms where heartwater occurs endemically, it was found that on an overall average, antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium were detected in 64.3% of the cattle, 6 adult Amblyomma hebraeum ticks were counted per animal and 7.0% of ticks were infected with the heartwater agent. It was found that the seropositivity of the animals was determined largely by the tick loads to which they were subjected and that the influence of the tick C. ruminantium infection rate was less evident. There was no parallel between the prevalence of heartwater on the farms and the immune status of the animals. In general, higher tick counts were recorded in herds where strategic tick control is practised than on farms with a total tick control programme. The method of tick control did not, however, appear to influence the immune status of the cattle, the tick infection rate, or the prevalence of heartwater.     

Epidemiology of leptospirosis in dairy farm workers in the Manawatu. Part II. A case-control study of high and low risk farms

Subsequent to a cross-sectional serological survey of Manawatu dairy farm workers, a case-control study was carried out to investigate the correlation between titres to leptospiral serovars in workers and those in cattle in their herds. A total of 52 herds was investigated, 25 of which were high risk where milkers had titres of 1:96 or greater, and 27 were case-controls where milkers had no detectable agglutinin titres at a minimum serum dilution of 1:24. The serological prevalence of titres to hardjo in cattle on high risk farms (76.5%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than on the case-control farms (60.0%). The geometric mean titres of seropositive cattle on high risk farms were also significantly higher (P<0.01) than in the cattle from the case-control farms, especially in the younger cohorts. These findings suggest that there was active endemic hardjo infection in the two- to three-year-old cattle on the high risk farms. Titres to pomona were demonstrated in only 5.2% of the cattle from both types of farm. Workers with titres to pomona tended to be from farms on which stock, especially calves, were bought-in and pigs were kept. Conventional measures for protecting milkers from contact with infected urine appeared to be ineffective and it is concluded that prevention of leptospirosis in dairy farm workers can only be achieved by elimination of infection in the herd by vaccination of cattle.     

EM发酵玉米秸秆和青贮玉米秸秆对奶牛生产性能的对比试验

本试验应用EM发酵玉米秸秆和青贮玉米秸秆饲喂奶牛,以观察两种方法处理的玉米秸秆对奶牛生产性能及经济效益的影响效果。结果表明,用EM发酵的玉米秸秆饲喂奶牛较青贮玉米秸秆饲喂奶牛,每天每头奶牛采食量提高1.03%,平均产奶量提高2.02%,经济效益提高0.13元;EM原液发酵的玉米秸秆和青贮玉米秸秆1∶1混合饲喂奶牛,每天每头奶牛采食量、平均产奶量、经济效益分别比饲喂青贮玉米秸秆的奶牛提高2.85%、2.99%和1.15元。     

黑龙江省常用粗饲料对肉牛瘤胃内环境的影响研究

[目的]针对黑龙江省肉牛养殖中羊草、玉米秸秆、玉米青贮和玉米秸秆微贮4种常用粗饲料的营养成分特性和饲喂特点,研究其对瘤胃内的PH值和NH3-N、VFA浓度的动态变化规律,进一步为我国北方寒区肉牛养殖中的粗饲料的合理搭配与利用提供一定的理论基础。[方法]选择4头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的西门塔尔肉用公牛,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,日粮精粗比为30∶70。[结果]各试验组pH值均在5.5～7.52的正常范围内,各组在同一时间点pH值差异不显著(P0.05);NH3-N浓度从本试验从平均值来看,青贮组、微贮组和羊草组均低于秸秆组,分别低27%、5%和4.12%,表明三组饲料能氮释放更加合理,其中青贮组和羊草组NH3-N平均值最低,表明在肉牛饲养中青贮和羊草是较好的粗饲料来源;本试验中青贮组和羊草组的TVFA含量同样最高,为78.64 mmol/L、79.68mmol/L,分别比秸秆组高6.75mmol/L和7.79mmol/L,表明饲喂青贮和羊草能为反刍动物提供更多能量,尤其是丙酸含量的提高有利于反刍动物体内脂肪的蓄积。[结论]饲喂青贮和羊草有利于肉牛育肥,玉米秸秆微贮可以作为补充粗饲料来源。     

张家口市塞北管理区种草养畜的成本收益分析

为给华北农牧交错带典型区域张家口市塞北管理区的农、牧业结构调整提供决策支持,在实地调研基础上,对当地种草养畜进行成本收益分析.结果表明:饲草、饲料作物的成本纯收益率为45.2%~125.1%,依次是青贮玉米>青稞>禾本科牧草≥豆科牧草;青贮玉米和多年生牧草的生产成本分别为其购入价格的44.4%~59.1%和48.6%~68.9%;投入不足是限制青贮玉米生产效益提高的主要因子;"全年舍饲"模式下,产奶量4550~6300 kg/头的中、高产奶牛的养殖纯收益为-86.5~1544.2元/头,成本纯收益率为-1.1%~15.5%,盈亏临界产奶量为4588.1~4789.8 kg/头;"舍饲+暖季放牧"模式下,种草养畜(中、高产奶牛)的纯收益为1453.6~3435.2元/头,51.0%以上的纯收益来源于饲草种植,成本纯收益率为22.7%~42.5%,盈亏临界产奶量为2850.0~3182.8 kg/头.     

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.     

Epidemiology of leptospirosis in dairy farm workers in the Manawatu. Part II. A case-control study of high and low risk farms

Subsequent to a cross-sectional serological survey of Manawatu dairy farm workers, a case-control study was carried out to investigate the correlation between titres to leptospiral serovars in workers and those in cattle in their herds. A total of 52 herds was investigated, 25 of which were ‘high risk’ where milkers had titres of 1:96 or greater, and 27 were case-controls where milkers had no detectable agglutinin titres at a minimum serum dilution of 1:24.

The serological prevalence of titres to hardjo in cattle on ‘high risk’ farms (76.5%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than on the case-control farms (60.0%). The geometric mean titres of seropositive cattle on ‘high risk’ farms were also significantly higher (P<0.0l) than in the cattle from the case-control farms, especially in the younger cohorts. These findings suggest that there was active endemic hardjo infection in the two- to three-year-old cattle on the ‘high risk’ farms.

Titres to pomona were demonstrated in only 5.2% of the cattle from both types of farm. Workers with titres to pomona tended to be from farms on which stock, especially calves, were bought-in and pigs were kept.

Conventional measures for protecting milkers from contact with infected urine appeared to be ineffective and it is concluded that prevention of leptospirosis in dairy farm workers can only be achieved by elimination of infection in the herd by vaccination of cattle.     

Serum antibody levels to Taenia saginata in cattle grazed on Scottish pastures

The serum antibody levels to Taenia saginata of three groups of cattle were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The first group of cattle were from four farms which had a confirmed T saginata cysticercosis outbreak, all of which had cattle classed as infected by ELISA. The second group were from four farms where sewage sludge had been applied to pasture subsequently grazed by the cattle. One of these farms had cattle classed as infected by ELISA. The control cattle, which were all classed as uninfected by ELISA, came from five farms whose pasture had not been treated with sewage sludge. In a wider survey, involving sera from 47 additional farms, the majority could not be distinguished from the control farms in the earlier survey. However, samples from three of the farms had a similar number of positives to two of the known infected farms in the initial survey. Since the ELISA assay may indicate infected herds, farms such as these warrant further investigation.     

青贮微贮氨化与干玉米秸对育肥牛增重效果比较试验

选择改良去势公牛48头,随机分为4组,分别饲喂青贮、微贮、氨化与干玉米秸(对照组),进行70天育肥试验,比较用不同方法处理的玉米秸饲喂肉牛的增重效果.结果表明,青贮组、微贮组与氨化组牛增重高于对照组,差异显著(P＜0.05).但青贮组、微贮组与氨化组之间牛增重差异不显著(P＞0.05).