Identification et hiérarchisation des facteurs de risques liés aux mammites dans les élevages laitiers wallons

Context

Today, mastitis can still have profound economic and health impacts on dairy farms. The effects of this pathology on farm profitability are universally recognized. Losses occur under various ways, including (i) a decrease in milk production , both qualitatively and quantitatively, (ii) the cost of replacing culled animals, (iii) rejected milk (due to the presence of antibiotics, milk deterioration, high cell count), (iv) veterinary costs (medication and visits) and (v) the additional work involved. Overall, the cost of clinical mastitis is around € 250 per head. This makes it important to take steps to limit the financial risk associated with this disease.

The multifactorial nature of this disease has been confirmed by numerous studies. However, these studies mostly focused on the description of the frequency, nature of bacteria and pathogenicity through individual approaches. They are based on bacteriological analysis or on individual or bulk milk somatic cell count. The obtained results are thus difficult to interpret due to the limitation of experimental frameworks.

Objectives

Through an ecopathological study, this project aims at accurately quantify mammary health status on dairy farms in the Walloon region. In particular, this project focus on the identification of the risk factors involved (milking conditions, environment and management), through a detailed analysis of the audit.

Description of tasks

This first step is meanly made thanks to the valorization of preliminary works down by AWE and ULg which have led to the development of breeding diagnostic tools: Bilan Cellules and Audit de Santé Mammaire. The CRA-W has completed the audit about the animal nutrition and is responsible for forage analysis.

The selection is based on a preliminary typology made by CRA-W. The AWE database will be used to select 400 farms.

This step is a farm audit to identify the factors involved in the outbreaks of mastitis. The audit consists of a one shot visit during milking. The investigators are a veterinary of ULg and a bio-engineer of CRA-W. The data are then analysed by different experts from various background as required.

This step is realized by unit of CRA-W

Expected results

The audit is a global approach at the herd level, taking into account all the risk factors related to the bacteria, the animal and his environment.

Consequently, the project allows not only to quantify the health situation of dairy herd in Wallonia but also to identify the responsible risk’ factors.

Therefore, it will be possible to implement preventive zootechnical recommendations rather than medicinal curative ones. Furthermore the results, with the help of existing other support’s measures, will optimize the management of breeders.

Results obtained

Contribution

• Data processing and Agrometeorology

  • Identification and selection of farms ; creation of database and statistic analyses.

• Forage analyses.

• Selection of farms ; audits ; analyses and interpretation of results; final report and vulgarisation.

Partners

• Association Wallonne de l’Elevage (AWE) : Cellule de Recherche et Développement, Ciney ; Carlo Bertozzi, Directeur

• Comité du lait, Battice ; Emile Piraux, Directeur ; Thierry Jadoul

• Université de Liège, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Service d’Obstétrique et de Pathologie de la Reproduction ; Prof. Ch. Hanzen, promoteur ; Pascal Pluvinage ; Humblet Marie-France

CRAW off coordinator

Funding

• DGARNE