Do animal health models meet the needs of organic and conventional dairy farmers in Spain and the UK on disease prevention?

Isabel Blanco-Penedo,Ruth Wonfor,Richard P Kipling

doi:10.1016/j.vas.2021.100226

Isabel Blanco-Penedo, Ruth Wonfor + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2021.100226

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Abstract

Modelling plays an important role in assessing disease risks and the efficacy of preventative actions. However, the extent to which existing models meet the needs of different groups of dairy farmers around disease prevention is unclear. A questionnaire gathered information on disease prevention actions undertaken by organic and conventional dairy farmers in Spain and the UK, and on their information preferences and needs in relation to such actions. A systematic review of animal health modelling articles was undertaken to compare the expressed needs of dairy farmers for information on disease prevention, with the focus and outputs of existing models. Farmer groups differed in needs when planning disease prevention interventions. Most farmers sourced animal health information from veterinarians. Farmers preferred to use practical experience to judge the efficacy of change. To fulfil the expressed needs of dairy farmers, models need to address specific farming contexts and non-economic impacts of change.

Highlights

Livestock production systems are currently facing multi-faceted challenges which require them to improve their sustainability, envi ronmentally and economically (Augustin, Udabage, Juliano & Clarke, 2013)
A questionnaire was developed by researchers to identify the infor mation priorities, sources, uses, and needs of organic and conventional dairy farmers in Spain and the UK, around on-farm changes to reduce the risk of disease (Table 1; Supplementary Material 1)
CONVUK farmers mentioned vaccination and testing, the latter being addressed by four models. These results suggest that more modelling of practical disease prevention actions is required, for ORGSP farmers

Summary

Introduction

Livestock production systems are currently facing multi-faceted challenges which require them to improve their sustainability, envi ronmentally and economically (Augustin, Udabage, Juliano & Clarke, 2013). High standards of animal health and welfare are a vital aspect of improving food quality, reducing antibiotic use on farms, improving production efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and are key dimensions of the European Commission’s “Farm to Fork” strategy (EC, 2020). Through their management choices, farmers play a decisive role in raising animal welfare and health standards on their farms, essential to effectively reducing disease incidence and spread. Re quirements for resources to support change are likely to vary between farming systems and locations as well as between individual farmers (Brodt, Six, Feenstra, Ingels & Campbell, 2011)

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