Approach to Selective Dry Cow Therapy in Early Adopter Italian Dairy Farms: Why Compliance Is So Important.

Selective dry-cow therapy (SDCT) became mandatory in Italy on 28 January 2022. During 2020, a group of farms involved in a milk quality program began a pilot experiment with SDCT in order to understand its challenges and to identify areas for procedural improvements. The aim of this study was to describe the challenges and results of the SDCT in early adopters' herds with a special focus on treatment compliance. Retrospective data from 1911 cows from 11 dairy herds were evaluated. Somatic cell counts, clinical mastitis (CM) history, and the California Mastitis Test (CMT) were used as criteria for SDCT. Based on the dairy herd improvement test results and CM history, 48% of all cows should have received antibiotic treatments and internal teat sealants. Adding the CMT at dry-off increased the percentage of antibiotic-treated cows to 62%, with relevant variation among farms. Concerning treatment compliance, 21% of the cows were "non-compliant", suggesting the importance of monitoring treatment compliance. In conclusion, even if commonly used selection criteria for antibiotic treatments were used, the need for more education and in-depth monitoring of the SDCT adoption process was clearly identified. Close collaboration and agreement between veterinarians and farmers are key for SDCT adoption success.

A systematic review of the cost of ketosis in dairy cattle.

A systematic review was conducted to assess the cost of ketosis in dairy cattle, and to elucidate how ketosis cost is estimated in each of the studies. Scientific papers addressing the economic impact of ketosis in dairy cows were identified through a search in 4 databases (Medline, ISI Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, and Agricola). The literature search was conducted with no restrictions on the date of study publication, publication type, or language. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed regarding study design, data collection, and analysis and interpretation of the study results. Of 531 identified records, 10 were selected, of which 9 were published from 2015 onward. Of the 10 studies reviewed, 9 report cost of a case of ketosis, and the estimates vary widely, with values ranging from €19 to €812. Two studies report ketosis cost at a farm level (€3.6-€29/cow per year). Among the studies, we observed great variation not only in the estimation models and inputs used (costs and losses associated with the disease) but also in the definition of ketosis and its prevalence or incidence figures. Moreover, the cost of ketosis was estimated for dairy farms in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and India. Consequently, there was great heterogeneity regarding herd characteristics, milk production, milk prices, culled cows' value, feed prices, and costs of veterinary services. Ketosis cost estimates vary as a consequence of all these aspects. Therefore, although most of the studies were well-designed and used high-quality data, the systematic approach review does not allow combination of the cost estimates of into a single figure. In conclusion, our review highlights an overall considerable economic impact of ketosis in dairy cattle. Economic prevention and mitigation strategies should be taken according to herd- and country-specific conditions. Ketosis cost figures reported in economic studies should always be considered carefully and interpreted with appropriate consideration of the inputs of the estimation, country context, and herd parameters.

Calving Ease Risk Factors and Subsequent Survival, Fertility and Milk Production in Italian Holstein Cows.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the main risk factors associated with calving ease (CE) in Italian Holstein cow herds, and to estimate the association between CE and subsequent survival, fertility and milk production. Data obtained from Holstein cows in 40 Italian herds were retrospectively investigated. Calvings were surveilled and classified into two categories of CE, unassisted calving or assisted calving, based on the need for intervention. The following factors were analyzed as possible risk factor affecting CE: herd, number of calvings/herd/year, age at first calving (AFC), cow parity, gestation length, twinning, calf sex, previous calving-to-conception interval, previous milk yield, dry period and close-up length, and season of calving. The association between CE and culling risk within the first 30 days-in-milk (DIM), cumulative 60-d milk yield and predicted 305-d milk yield, and pregnancy risk within 150 DIM were also investigated. Of the 47,672 calvings, 37,892 (79.5%) were unassisted, while 9780 (20.5%) required some type of assistance. Among the risk factors, only the AFC was not correlated with CE, while for all the other risk factors an association with CE was detected. Assisted calvings were associated with an increased culling risk at 30 DIM, decreased 60-d milk yield, decreased 305-d milk yield and reduced pregnancy risk at 150 DIM. In conclusion, dairy herd management should aim at correcting/reducing the risk factors in order to limit the incidence of assisted calving, and possibly improve the quality of calving assistance; controlling CE within the herd is crucial to reducing culling risk, and achieving higher lactation and reproductive performance.

The Use of Monensin for Ketosis Prevention in Dairy Cows during the Transition Period: A Systematic Review.

Since the approval by the European Medicines Agency in 2013 of a monensin controlled-release capsule (CRC) for the prevention of ketosis in dairy cows, there has been widespread use across Europe. In recent decades, several papers have investigated the effects of monensin used as a CRC or as a feed additive to improve cattle energy metabolism and improve feed efficiency. Since the CRC is the only form of monensin permitted in Europe in dairy cows, the objective of this review was to report and summarize observations from the literature on the effects of this treatment in transition cows. The peer-reviewed literature published from 1997 was scanned, and papers written in English were evaluated for eligibility. Only papers evaluating the use of monensin in dairy cows for the prevention of ketosis during the transition period were reviewed. In total, 42 papers met the required criteria and were included in this review. The major findings focused on cow metabolism and health, rumen fermentation and milk production and quality. Overall, the review of the existing literature confirmed that monensin delivered as a CRC during the transition period has effects of different magnitude compared to other forms, doses or durations of administration. Studies agree on the antiketotic effects of this treatment, showing evidence of an increased propionate production in the rumen, reduced blood ß-hydroxybutyrate, and improved liver function in treated cows, mainly resulting in reduced incidence of peripartum disease. On the contrary, the effects of CRC on ammonia production and rumen microflora are less robust than those reported for other forms. Of importance for the European market is the well-documented absence of any negative impact on milk and cheese production and composition using the CRC treatment.