From a standard to an output oriented ap-proach in organic livestock farming

Although standards of organic livestock production clearly exceed the legal minimum requirements in many areas, the current performance in relation to animal health and product quality often does not surpass the level of conventional production and does not always meet the self-proclaimed aims and the expectations of the consumers. Thus, the standards lack efficiency in the implementa-tion of organic principles. Taking the system approach of organic farming into account, the implementation of feed back mechanisms is required to correspond to the teleological behaviour of open systems. Moreover, there is a need for a change in the paradigm from a standard to an output oriented approach to improve the level of animal health and of product quality

Ist die Behandlung von subklinischen Mastitiden mit Homöopathika empfehlenswert?

The effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in the case of subclinical bovine mastitis was assessed. 39 cows with 65 udder quarters, infected with environmental associated pathogens, were treated. Two therapeutical methods, classical homeopathy and antibiotics were compared to the application of a placebo. Milk samples were collected for bacteriology and milk somatic cell count. The results showed that the cure rate was on a low level. The success of homeopathic therapy (7 %) was in midway between antibiotics and placebo. It can be concluded that the homeopathic treatment is not recommended for the therapy of subclinical bovine mastitis caused by environmental associated pathogens

Possibilities and limitations of protein supply in organic poultry and pig production

Organic poultry and pig production has to face severe restrictions in the availability of feedstuffs of high quality protein. The objective of the project was to assess by meta-analysis of the literature whether the restrictions can be compensated by others measures without jeopardizing the goal of a high level of product- and process-related quality. Calculations showed that, in general, it is possible to formulate diets for poultry and pigs without the use of non-organic feedstuffs. However, there is a huge variation between farms on the local, regional or national level in their ability to provide organic diets. Several measures are outlined that are at the organic farmer's disposal to adapt to the restricted availability of high protein feedstuffs. The risk of the occurrence of diseases and welfare problems in organic livestock production due to suboptimal nutrient provision by the farmer is compa-rably low, and can be handled by a proper manage-ment. Intensification of meat production, however, encloses a system-related increase in the risks of animal health disorders. From the animal health and welfare point of view, organic farming should be protected towards the negative side effects of an intensified meat production by setting limits with respect to the intensification process

Qualitätssicherung in der ökologischen Schweinemast

In order to estimate animal health status and product quality in organic pig production a survey was carried out on 21 farms. Implementation of farm management and hygiene measures was assessed by using a concept based on critical control points (CCP). Animal health status was estimated by examinations of the carcass at the abattoir, taking nearly 50,000 pigs into account of which 4132 pigs derived from the assessed organic pig farms. One of the main pathological findings were “milk spots” in the liver and lung diseases. Spot sampling of blood analysed for antibodies versus mycoplasma and salmonella revealed that most of the animals had contact to the pathogen agents. Carcass quality rated in the EUROP-System was lower in organic compared to conventional farms; mean intramuscular fat content and pH1 showed no preference for organic pork. The results indicate that most of the assessed organic pig farms did not met the high demands in relation to animal health and quality assurance. Insufficient feedback by the way of the market price and missing health and quality control schemes are jointly responsible for existing deficits and offer the options to improve the current situation

Ergebnisse der Einführung eines Tiergesundheitsplanes auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben in Deutschland

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of measures as part of an animal health plan on 17 organic sow farms in Germany. A weak-point analysis was performed using a modified critical control point concept for on-farm assessment and detailed status quo analysis. Optimisation strategies were set up in form of farmcustomized health plans based on the status quo assessment. Farms were attended continuously to ensure guidance along the animal health plan implementation. The results of the status quo analysis confirmed the deficits in animal health management from previous studies. Results showed that only 10 farms met the demands of the EC-Regulation with respect to housing conditions. Only 12 farms performed a comprehensive livestock data acquisition. Quality and intervals of cleaning and disinfection measures varied considerably between farms. After one year, half of the participating farms implemented about half of the short term measures recommended as part of their health plans. Animal health plans have proven to support identifying problem areas, to set up improvement strategies and to enforce the cooperation between the involved actors. However, many farms have not been able to meet the basic requirements necessary for improving animal health status

Vergleichende Querschnittsuntersuchungen zum Vorkommen von MRSA (Methicillin-resistente Staphylococcus aureus) in ökologisch wirtschaftenden und konventionell wirtschaftenden Schweinebetrieben in Deutschland

Occurrence of MRSA was assessed on 42 organic and 88 conventional pig herds in different regions of Germany by taking dust samples and nasal swabs. The number of nasal swabs was adapted to the herd size so that a MRSA-prevalence of 5 % could be detected. All samples were selectively enriched and cultured on MRSA-selective chromagar. All cultured isolates were confirmed by PCR. In addition, the spa-types were identified. The results of this cross-sectional study showed that 11 of the 42 (26%) examined organic pig herds were identified as MRSA-positive, whereas 92 % of the conventional pig herds were identified as MRSA-positive. In both husbandry systems, similar spa-types (t011, t034) were identified, which are associated with the MRSA ST398. To find out the specific risk factors for the occurrence of MRSA in pig herds questionnaires were used in both husbandry systems and will be evaluated in the second part of this ongoing study

Implications of genotype and amino acid sup-ply on pork quality

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different feeding regimes and genotypes on growth performance, carcass characteristics, composition and eating quality of pork under organic framework conditions. 198 individually housed pigs of 4 genotypes were allocated to three dietary treatments. Feeding regimes differed in relation to the supply of limiting amino acids (AA). The genotypes used were Pi x (DL x DE); Du x DL, Pi x German Swabian Hall (Pi x SH) and pure SH breed. While Pi x (DL x DE) pigs showed the highest carcass yields, pigs of the genotype Du x DL achieved higher values in dlwg and in meat composition compared to the other genotypes. Performance traits were significantly influenced by the feeding regime. Lean meat percentage and area of M.l.d. were significantly lower when a diet reduced in limited amino acids compared to the control treat-ment was fed. Backfat thickness was not influenced by the feeding regime. However, intramuscular fat content clearly increased when a diet without AA supplementation was fed. The results indicate that the limited availability of high quality feedstuffs in organic farming does not impair but improve the preconditions to produce pork of high eating quality

Auswirkungen der Rohproteinversorgung auf die Qualität von Schweinefleisch

The current experiment was conducted to specify the effect of different diets on the quality of pork with emphasis on the intramuscular fat content in the M. longissimus. The results confirm the preliminary conclusions of a former experiment that it is possible to affect the amount of intramuscular fat content by a feeding strategy adapted to the organic framework conditions without increasing the overall fat content of the carcass

Comparison of homeopathic and chemotherapeutic treatment strategies in the case of bovine clinical mastitis

The EU-Regulation (2092/91) postulates that homeopathic and phytotherapeutic remedies shall be used in preference to allopathic products chemically synthesised, provided that their therapeutic effect is proven. However, only few scientific data with promising results are available. The objective of this clinical control trial was to examine the effectiveness of the classical homeopathic treatment in comparison to the chemotherapeutic treatment and to a control group given a placebo in the case of bovine clinical mastitis. Only cases of mild or moderate acute clinical mastitis caused by environmental associated pathogens and cases with negative bacteriological result in the milk sample were enclosed in the trial. A number of 147 quarters affected with acute clinical mastitis were treated. 56 days after beginning of treatment, 36,2% of the cows given homeopathic treatment were cured in contrast to 16,3% in the placebo-group. The chemotherapeutic treatment resulted in 23,9% cured cases. The differences in healing between the homeopathic and the placebo group were significant (p<0,05), while the difference between the homeopathic and chemotherapeutic therapy regime was not