Bewältigung der Herausforderungen in Bezug auf Parasitenbefall bei Wiederkäuern in der ökologischen Landwirtschaft

Teilprojekt „Bovine Fasciolose in Bayerischen „Bio-Betrieben“: Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren“ Es wurden zum einen die Prävalenz der bovinen Fasciolose vergleichend in konventionellen und ökologisch produzierenden Milchkuhbetrieben mittels Tankmilchserologie ermittelt, zum anderen wurde versucht, anhand einer Fragebogenstudie Risikofaktoren für die Transmission der bovinen Fasciolose zu ermitteln, die hauptsächlich in ökologisch produzierenden Betrieben von Bedeutung sind. Dazu wurden bayernweit Tankmilchproben sowohl von 366 ökologisch geführten als auch von 366 konventionellen Milchkuhbetriebe mittels ELISA auf Fasciola hepatica untersucht. Die Prävalenz in den ökologisch geführten Betrieben wich mit 46,99 % statistisch signifikant (p = 0,0021) von der Prävalenz in den konventionellen Betrieben von 35,79 % ab. Es konnten einige Risikofaktoren mittels Befragung von 70 Landwirten identifiziert werden, jedoch wichen diese nicht bedeutend von bekannten Risikofaktoren der Übertragung der Fasciolose bisheriger Publikationen ab. Teilprojekt „Eine Applikation für mobile Endgeräte als Entscheidungshilfe für Landwirte und Tierärzte bei der Bekämpfung und Prophylaxe der bovinen Fasciolose“ Es wurde ein bereits publizierter Entscheidungsbaum zur betriebsindividuellen Bekämpfung der bovinen Fasciolose als Applikation für mobile Endgeräte entwickelt. Die Benutzerfreundlichkeit und Attraktivität sowie der Umfang und die Darstellung des fachlichen Inhalts wurden mittels Befragung evaluiert. Die Applikation für mobile Endgeräte wurde mittels „Cordova“ entwickelt. Das Ergebnis ist auf http://www.wdk.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de/forschung/propara/installation zu finden. Die App wurde dann an 20 ökologisch produzierende Milchkuhhalter abgegeben. Weitere 20 ökologisch produzierende Milchkuhhalter erhielten eine Broschüre mit identischem Inhalt. Nach einer Testphase, wurden die Tierhalter zu diversen Parametern befragt. Die App wurde insgesamt als benutzerfreundlich beurteilt. Auch bezüglich Inhalt und Wissenstransfer äußerten sich die befragten Teilnehmer zufrieden bis sehr zufrieden

Bayerisches Erfahrungswissen zum Einsatz von Arzneipflanzen bei Nutztieren – eine Basis für die traditionelle europäische Veterinärphytotherapie?

Das seit Generationen schriftlich und mündlich überlieferte Erfahrungswissen von Tierhalter*innen stellt eine wichtige Grundlage für den Einsatz und die zukünftige Entwicklung pflanzlicher Tierarzneimittel dar. Im Rahmen dieser Studie wurde dieses Wissen für Bayern zusammengetragen

Contributed Short Lecture "Ethnoveterinary use of herbal mixtures in the treatment of livestock– a survey in Bavaria"

While mixtures are common in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, they seem to be rare in Western veterinary phytotherapy. From 2018 till 2021, we conducted an ethnoveterinary study on Bavarian farms to evaluate how frequently medicinal plant mixtures are used in practice. A total of 77 interviews were carried out with 101 farmers. Altogether 884 use reports (UR) were recorded, comprising detailed information about plant species, plant part and further natural substances used, the manufacturing process for the end product, dosing, administration and therapeutic intention. Among them, 159 UR described the use of mixtures (each contained between two and 19 ingredients (mean: 4)) corresponding to 155 different plant species and 17 different natural substances (e.g. salt, sugar, propolis). The most frequently mentioned plant species in mixtures were: Calendula officinalis L. (27 UR), Salvia officinalis L. (24 UR) and Cinnamomum verum J.Presl (24 UR). The most frequently reported UR were for "Alimentary tract and metabolism" (QA) followed by dermatological indications (QD) and respiratory tract diseases (QR). Purchased products were used for 36 % of the UR. Popular purchased products among the farmers were ColoSan SaluVet with 10 UR for digestive disorders and “Schwedenbittertrunk” for use in skin diseases or mastitis (8 UR). Overall, the farmers surveyed preferred single preparations (448 UR compared to 159 UR of mixtures used)

Validation of an interactive map assessing the potential spread of Galba truncatula as intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica in Switzerland

Bovine fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, is widespread in Switzerland. The risk regions were modelled in 2008 by an interactive map, showing the monthly potential risk of transmission of F. hepatica in Switzerland. As this map is based on a mathematical model, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the interactive map by means of a field survey taking different data sources into account. It was found that the interactive map has a sensitivity of 40.7-88.9%, a specificity of 11.4-18.8%, a positive predictive value of 26.7-51.4%, and a negative predictive value of 13.1-83.6%, depending on the source of the data. In conclusion, the grid of the interactive map (100 x 100 m) does not reflect enough detail and the underlying model of the interactive map is lacking transmission data

Relationship of body condition and milk parameters during lactation in Simmental cows in Bavaria, Germany

In dairy cows the body condition forms a reflection of the energy reserves of the organism. Health, welfare and productivity of dairy cows are strongly associated with changes in body condition. As lactation puts substantial demands on the metabolism of dairy cows, farm management aims at avoiding either a deficient body condition or a substantial loss of body condition within a short period of time. A body condition higher or lower than recommended (over- and underconditioning in the following) compromises dairy cow productivity. While the body condition of Holstein Friesian cows has been thoroughly explored, few is known about the consequences of deviations from a target body condition for health and productivity of cows from other breeds. This study explores the percentage of over- and underconditioned cows at different days post partum [dpp] and their association with production parameters i.e., milk yield, milk fat and milk protein content of Simmental cows on Bavarian farms, categorized by parity (primi- or multiparous). Our study displays that in Simmental cows, overconditioning is more prevalent than underconditioning. While the middle of lactation (dpp = 100–199) resulted in higher percentage of overconditioning, the dry period (dpp = 299) indicated a higher percentage of underconditioned cows. The dry period and the middle of lactation are therefore the most challenging lactation stages for Simmental cows. We found milk protein content to have the strongest association with over- and underconditioning in Simmental cows. The probability of overconditioning was higher with higher milk protein content for every lactation stage and the probability of underconditioning was lower with higher milk protein content in every lactation stage. This study provides a theoretical basis for potential improvements in stockbreeding, which, if implemented, could improve not only the milk yield of Simmental dairy cows, but also their health and welfare

Rumen and Liver Fluke Infections in Sheep and Goats in Northern and Southern Germany

Simple Summary Little is known about the distribution of rumen and liver flukes in sheep and goats in Germany or about the occurring rumen fluke species. These fluke infections can be detected by the parasite's eggs in the host animal's feces. Therefore, fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms from northern and southern Germany were examined. The eggs of rumen flukes were detected on 2.2% of the samples, the eggs of common liver flukes on 2.7%, and the eggs of small liver flukes on 21.1% of the examined sheep farms. The rumen flukes were identified as the emerging species Calicophoron daubneyi. No rumen fluke eggs were detected on any of the goat farm samples, but common and small liver fluke eggs were detected in 5.6% and 7.0% of the goat herds, respectively. Differences in the geographical distribution of rumen and liver flukes between and within the two regions were identified. Rumen flukes were more frequently found in the north, while the two liver fluke species were more frequently found in the south of Germany. Sheep sharing the pasture with other ruminants were more likely to be infected with rumen flukes. Paramphistomidosis has recently been identified as an emerging parasitosis in Europe. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes, Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, in small ruminants in Germany and identified occurring rumen fluke species and potential predictors for fluke infections. Pooled fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms in northern and southern Germany were examined by the sedimentation technique, and molecular species identification was performed on rumen-fluke-positive samples. In sheep, a flock prevalence of 2.2% was detected for rumen flukes. Calicophoron daubneyi was identified on four of five positive farms, while species identification failed in one flock. No rumen fluke eggs were detected in the examined goat herds. F. hepatica eggs were detected in 2.7% of the sheep flocks, while the herd prevalence was 5.6% in goats. Higher prevalence values of 21.1% (sheep) and 7.0% (goats) were observed for D. dendriticum. Mixed grazing with other ruminants and previously identified infections with rumen flukes and/or F. hepatica were identified as predictors for paramphistomidosis. The distribution of the three trematode species followed a geographical pattern associated with conditions favoring the relevant intermediate hosts. C. daubneyi is an established parasite in German sheep at a currently low prevalence

Variables of initial examination and clinical management associated with survival in small ruminants with obstructive urolithiasis.

BACKGROUND Obstructive urolithiasis is a common disease associated with a guarded prognosis in small ruminants. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE The results of physical examination, laboratory analyses, and clinical management of male small ruminants presented to 2 referral clinics were investigated to identify variables significantly associated with disease outcome, so as to provide better recommendations to animal owners regarding the management of these patients. ANIMALS Two-hundred ten small ruminants (130 sheep and 80 goats) with confirmed diagnosis of obstructive urolithiasis. METHODS Clinical findings (including diagnostic imaging) and laboratory results of the 210 animals were reviewed, and relevant information regarding clinical and laboratory variables recorded upon admission and clinical management was retrieved. The association of the different variables with nonsurvival was investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Only 39% of all patients considered for treatment and 52% of those undergoing tube cystostomy survived to be released from the clinic. Nonsurvival was strongly associated with a very poor clinical condition upon presentation, obesity, castration, and evidence of uroperitoneum. Among blood variables, abnormal PCV, severely increased serum creatinine concentrations, and increased activity of the creatine kinase were associated with increased risk of nonsurvival. Presence of signs of colic or macroscopic appearance of urine was not significantly associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The prognosis of obstructive urolithiasis was guarded with survival rates of 39% (overall) to 52% (after tube cystostomy). Intact young males with normal body condition presented early in the course of disease had the best chances of survival

Random forest classification as a tool in epidemiological modelling: Identification of farm-specific characteristics relevant for the occurrence of Fasciola hepatica on German dairy farms

Fasciola hepatica is an internal parasite of both human and veterinary relevance. In order to control fasciolosis, a multitude of attempts to predict the risk of infection such as risk maps or forecasting models have been developed. These attempts mainly focused on the influence of geo-climatic and meteorological features. Predicting bovine fasciolosis on farm level taking into account farm-specific settings yet remains challenging. In the present study, a new methodology for this purpose, a data-driven machine learning approach using a random forest classification algorithm was applied to a cross-sectional data set of farm characteristics, management regimes, and farmer aspects within two structurally different dairying regions in Germany in order to identify factors relevant for the occurrence of F. hepatica that could predict farm-level bulk tank milk positivity. The resulting models identified farm-specific key aspects in regard to the presence of F. hepatica. In study region North, farm-level production parameters (farm-level milk yield, farm-level milk fat, farm-level milk protein), leg hygiene, body condition (prevalence of overconditioned and underconditioned cows, respectively) and pasture access were identified as features relevant in regard to farm-level F. hepatica positivity. In study region South, pasture access together with farm-level lameness prevalence, farm-level prevalence of hock lesions, herd size, parity, and farm-level milk fat appeared to be important covariates. The stratification of the analysis by study region allows for the extrapolation of the results to similar settings of dairy husbandry. The local, region-specific modelling of F. hepatica presence in this work contributes to the understanding of on-farm aspects of F. hepatica appearance. The applied technique represents a novel approach in this context to model epidemiological data on fasciolosis which allows for the identification of farms at risk and together with additional findings in regard to the epidemiology of fasciolosis, can facilitate risk assessment and deepen our understanding of on-farm drivers of the occurrence of F. hepatica

Non-linear change in body condition score over lifetime is associated with breed in dairy cows in Germany

Optimal body condition is crucial for the well-being and optimal productivity of dairy cows. However, body condition depends on numerous, often interacting factors, with complex relationships between them. Moreover, most of the studies describe the body condition in Holstein cattle, while condition of some breeds, e.g. Simmental (SIM) and Brown Swiss (BS) cattle, have not been intensively studied yet. Body condition score (BCS) proved to be one of the most effective measures for monitoring body condition in dairy cows. Alterations in BCS were previously mainly studied over a single lactation period, while changes over the lifetime were largely ignored. This study was designed to report BCS of German SIM and BS cows in the light of the broadly accepted BCS in German Holstein (GH) cows and to explore patterns of change in BCS over the productive lifetime of animals. BCS was modeled via linear mixed effects regression, over- and undercondition of animals were studied using mixed effects logistic regressions and condition of animals was explored with the multinomial log-linear model via neural networks. All models included an interaction between breed and age. We found BCS of SIM and BS to be higher than BCS of GH. Our results show that BCS of BS cows did not change over the lifetime. In contrast, the BCS of GH and SIM was found to have a non-linear (quadratic) shape, where BCS increased up to the years of highest productivity and then decreased in aging cows. Patterns of change between SIM and GH, however, differed. GH do not only reach their highest BCS earlier in life compared to SIM, but also start to lose their body condition earlier. Our dataset revealed that 23% of the animals scored were over- and 14% underconditioned. The proportion of cows that were overconditioned was high (>10% of cows) for every breed and every age, while severe underconditioning (>10% of cows) occurred only in middle aged and old GH. Moreover, we found that the probability of underconditioning of animals over lifetime increases, while the overconditioning decreases from the middle to older ages. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the non-linear nature of BCS, and uncover the potential opportunity for improving the performance and welfare of dairy cows by adjusting their nutrition, not only during lactation, but also highly specific to breed and age