Urban Dairy Farms Research Articles

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and analysis of risk factors among the dairy farms in and around Guwahati metropolitan city, India

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis is being reported worldwide. The present work was carried out from December 2020 to November 2021 to assess the prevalence and risk factors of bTB in peri-urban and urban dairy farms of Guwahati, Assam, India. A questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge about bTB on 36 farms, and ten animals per farm were screened by single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCT) to determine the prevalence of bTB, giving a total of 360 animals. The demographic data of the farmers revealed that 61.1% respondents were illiterate, 66.7% had no awareness about bovine tuberculosis and 41.7% consumed unpasteurised milk and milk products. SICCT showed that 38 cattle from 18 of the farms were positive reactors for bTB, yielding an overall animal level prevalence of 10.55% (95% confidence interval (CI = 7.58–14.2%) and a 50% herd prevalence (95% CI 32.9–67.1%). Animals 5 years and above were found to be more likely to be positive for bTB (17.18%). The study highlighted the widespread prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in peri-urban and urban dairy farms of Guwahati which gives a picture also about other major cities of India. Hence, it is of utmost importance to undertake a comprehensive epidemiological study in such cities for effective control and prevention of bTB in a one health approach.

Quantification of on-farm groundwater use under different dairy production systems in Pakistan

The objective of this study was to assess the role of production systems and management strategies on groundwater use at dairy farms in Punjab, Pakistan. In a prospective cohort observational study, 14 dairy farms were enrolled from the districts Okara and Kasur, Punjab. The farms were divided into two production systems: 1) peri urban dairy farms, PU (n = 7; herd size 35 ± 10); and 2) rural market oriented dairy farms, RM (n = 6; herd size 32 ± 6; Mean ± SD). One commercial dairy farm with Holstein cows (herd size = 60) was enrolled as a case study. Water flow meters were installed at the groundwater sources and the readings were taken fortnightly for 12 months. Results showed that the amount of daily on-farm groundwater use was higher in the PU dairy farm (117 ± 7 L/buffalo; Means ± SE) compared to the RM farm (80 ± 8). The farms having dirt floor used less water (78 ± 7) than the farms with brick floor (119 ± 9 L/buffalo). Furthermore, the farm having access to surface water used significantly less water (77 ± 10) than the farms having no such facility (120 ± 5 L/buffalo). Groundwater use was highest in July (145 ± 9) and lowest in February (58 ± 15 L/buffalo). The descriptive data from a commercial dairy farm revealed that the average water use during summer months was 844 ± 81 L/cow (Mean ± SD). The current findings conclude that production system, management practices and season greatly influenced on-farm groundwater use at dairy farms.

Carbon footprint of cows’ milk: a case study of peri-urban and urban dairy farms within Mekelle milk-shed, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, there is an urge to enhance milk production where urban and peri-urban farms play important role. Therefore, the role of such production system in Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should be known. This study was conducted with the objective of estimating the carbon footprint (CF) of milk within Mekelle milkshed, Ethiopia. 50 urban and 42 peri-urban dairy farms were selected randomly and both primary and secondary data was collected. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) approach was employed to quantify GHG emissions using cradle to- farm gate approach. The mean GHG emissions per cattle unit (000 kg CO2-e y-1) were 2.84 ± 1.23 and 3.19 ± 1.99 for peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. The share of enteric fermentation was 75.5% and 73.6% for peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. Milk contributed for 88.5% and 90.8% to the economic value of peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. Overall, the CF of milk production in urban and peri-urban farms was 2.2 kg CO2-e/kg and 3.2 kg CO2-e/kg without economic allocation, and 2.0 kg CO2-e/kg and 2.8 kg CO2-e/kg with economic allocation. In order to reduce GHG emission intensity from dairy farms it is important to adopt climate smart dairy practices.

A Longitudinal Study of Cattle Productivity in Intensive Dairy Farms in Central Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is witnessing an emergence of intensive urban dairy farming. The aims of this study were to capture cattle productivity parameters in selected intensive dairy farms in and around Addis Ababa (Central Ethiopia). The study is a pre-requisite and baseline for further economic analysis of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and to assess some of the current challenges faced by farm owners for optimal animal performances. Hence, a 3-year longitudinal observational study was conducted for the first time in Ethiopia, in 24 dairy farms with intensive husbandry, including a total of 1,705 dairy animals. Herd characteristics, animal movement, and productivity parameters (fertility, morbidity, mortality) were recorded in a herd-book. Whereas, half the farms saw their animals increase in number over the 3 years, 37.5% (mainly large farms) saw their herd size decrease. Offtakes accounted for 76.6% of all animal exits. One hundred and ninety (11.1%) animals died of natural causes. Highest mortality was observed in young stock (13.9%). Overall, diseases were the leading cause for death (57.5%). The majority of calves (69%) that died, did so within the first week of life. Mean calving interval (CI) was 483.2 days. Successful conception after artificial insemination (AI) was 66.1% with Addis Ababa and smaller farms faring worst. Mean time interval from calving to first service was 152 days. Date of birth to first service was 592.2 days and date of birth to first calving was 794.7 days. In conclusion, the study showed sub-optimal productivity performances in intensive dairy cattle and highlighted some of the current gaps and challenges in urban dairy productivity.

Challenges and Opportunities of Milk Production in Urban Dairy Farms in Ethiopia: A Review

Ethiopia is one of the developing countries in Africa with a huge livestock population. The huge and diverse cattle populations, diverse and favorable agro-ecology for dairying, long-standing culture of dairy products consumption, increasing demand for dairy products in urban areas, potential of dairying in the country and favorable policy are indicators of dairy production. However, the production and productivity of dairy animals in general is insufficient and this results in short supply of dairy products. The main objective of this review paper is to assess the major challenges and opportunities of milk production in urban dairy farms in Ethiopia. Urban dairy farming is emerging as an important component of the milk production system based on cross breed dairy stock and purchased conserved feeds. Urban milk farming system is concentrated in and around major cities, and towns characterized by a high demand for milk and milk products. The challenges for dairying vary from one location to another or from one production system to another production system. These challenges can be technical like genotype related constraints and reproductive wastage, shortage of animal feed and water resources, shortage of land, animal health problems and non-technical constraints like institutional challenges such as inadequate extension and training services, limited availability of credit to the dairy farmer, absence of operational breeding strategy and policy, waste disposal, limited access and high cost of dairy heifers/cows. The opportunities of milk production in urban dairy farms in Ethiopia such as livestock genetic resources and production system, accesses to services, indigenous knowledge, demand for consumption of milk and milk products and income generation and employment opportunity. Dairying is constitutes an important part of the Ethiopian urban dairy sector, a careful planning of dairy policy, technical and institutional intervention and establishment of dairy processing industries are required for the generation of appropriate and demand driven technologies in order to attain sustainable dairy farm development. Keywords : agro-ecology, cattle, challenges, feed, genotype, milk production, opportunities, Urban DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-21-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Challenges and Opportunities of Milk Production in Urban Dairy Farms in Ethiopia: A Review

Challenges and Opportunities of Milk Production in Urban Dairy Farms in Ethiopia: A Review

Assessment of metals concentrations in dairy feed collected from urban and rural areas dairy farms

Assessment of metals concentrations in dairy feed collected from urban and rural areas dairy farms

Infestation of Ectoparasites in Dairy Calves Reared by Smallholder Farmers in Central Areas of Ethiopia

Ectoparasites are one of the major health constraints of cattle production and are usually associated with huge economic losses in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional and clinical investigation was carried out in urban and periurban dairy farms in different central areas of Ethiopia to determine the infestation of external parasites and its attributable risk factors in dairy calves. Thus, a total of 157 dairy calves were clinically examined for ectoparasite infestations in central Oromiya. Results from data analysis indicated that from a total examined calves for ectoprasites, 40.76%(64=101) were found to be infested with one or more parasites and the major ectoparasites identified were Ambyloma species (3.8%), Boophilus species (5.7%), Lice species (17.2%) and mixed infestations (8.9%).

Milk in the city: profiles and development paths for urban dairy holders in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Demand for dairy products is growing fast in urban areas. Due to poorly developed rural infrastructure, urban dairy farms are pivotal in making milk available and affordable in towns and cities. Yet current supply fails to meet the increasing demand. In order to formulate fit interventions that can expand urban dairy production, a detailed understanding of urban dairy systems is needed. Using a cluster analysis approach, we profile 304 urban dairy farms in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia, along three dimensions: input efficiency, market integration, and resilience towards demand seasonality. Our results suggest five distinctive farm types: surviving farms, processing female farms, young male entrepreneurs, established output-efficient farms, and established output-input-efficient farms. We observe large discrepancies in terms of dairy enterprise’s productivity, profitability, and suitability in future urban policy planning. For each of the identified dairy systems, we sketch potential intervention approaches that can feed into more tailored dairy development programmes.

The Tanga Dairy Platform: Fostering Innovations for more Efficient Dairy Chain Coordination in Tanzania

The Tanga Dairy Platform, created in 2008, is an informal forum of different stakeholders involved in the dairy industry of Tanzania’s Northeastern Tanga region. The platform’s objective is to exchange knowledge and develop joint actions to common problems. Six years on, it is a sustainable example of a commodity association addressing the joint problems of the region’s dairy industry. The platform has achieved a common understanding among chain actors on dairy price structure; it has successfully lobbied policy makers to reduce value-added tax on dairy inputs and products, and to remove limitations on urban dairy farming in Tanga city.

Impact of a trace element supplementation programme on health and performance of cross-breed (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) dairy cattle under tropical farming conditions: a double-blinded randomized field trial.

Small-scale urban dairy farms (n = 16) in and around Jimma, Ethiopia with cross-bred (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) cows were enrolled in a double-blinded intervention study to investigate the effect of a trace element supplementation programme on trace element status and milk concentrations as well as performance [body condition score (BCS), milk yield, leptin], milk composition, antioxidant status (ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)], blood biochemistry, serum proteins and immune response (antibody titre upon rabies vaccination). The farms were allocated to a (1) placebo or (2) Cu, Zn, Se, Co and I supplementation treatment for 150 d. On days 0 and 120, four lactating cows per farm were sampled for milk and plasma, and on day 150 for serum, following primo-vaccination. Cu deficiency was present in 17% and marginal Se deficiency in 30% of initially sampled cows, while no Zn shortage was detected. Over 120 days, trace element supplementation caused a bigger increase in plasma Se and Cu concentrations, but also a larger decrease of plasma Fe concentrations. A larger increase in milk Se concentrations was observed in the supplemented group, whereas none of the other elements were affected. BCS decreased more over time in the supplemented group. None of the other parameters of performance and antioxidant status nor milk composition or blood biochemistry was affected by treatment. Antibody response to rabies vaccination did not differ between groups, whereas α1-globulins tended to be lower and β-globulins tended to be higher in the supplemented group. In conclusion, despite improved Cu and Se status and Se concentrations in milk, cows on tropical urban dairy farms did not seem to benefit from trace element supplementation, with respect to the parameters investigated.

Social and gender determinants of risk of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis, in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya

The aim of the study was to investigate the social and gender determinants of the risk of exposure to Cryptosporidium from urban dairying in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Focus group discussions were held in six locations to obtain qualitative information on risk of exposure. A repeated cross-sectional descriptive study included participatory assessment and household questionnaires (300 randomly selected urban dairy farming households and 100 non-dairying neighbours). One-hundred dairy households randomly selected from the 300 dairy households participated in an additional economic survey along with 40 neighbouring non-dairy households. We found that exposure to Cryptosporidium was influenced by gender, age and role in the household. Farm workers and people aged 50 to 65 years had most contact with cattle, and women had greater contact with raw milk. However, children had relatively higher consumption of raw milk than other age groups. Adult women had more daily contact with cattle faeces than adult men, and older women had more contact than older men. Employees had greater contact with cattle than other groups and cattle faeces, and most (77 %) were male. Women took more care of sick people and were more at risk from exposure by this route. Poverty did not affect the level of exposure to cattle but did decrease consumption of milk. There was no significant difference between men and women as regards levels of knowledge on symptoms of cryptosporidiosis infections or other zoonotic diseases associated with dairy farming. Awareness of cryptosporidiosis and its transmission increased significantly with rising levels of education. Members of non-dairy households and children under the age of 12 years had significantly higher odds of reporting diarrhoea: gender, season and contact with cattle or cattle dung were not significantly linked with diarrhoea. In conclusion, social and gender factors are important determinants of exposure to zoonotic disease in Nairobi.

Incidence of Microbiological Hazards in Organized and Peri Urban Dairy Farms and Single Animal Holdings in a Tropical Environment

Incidence of Microbiological Hazards in Organized and Peri Urban Dairy Farms and Single Animal Holdings in a Tropical Environment

Gender, perceptions and behaviour towards health risks associated with urban dairy farming in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya

To determine the socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors that encourage urban dairy production and the factors which may predispose the producer, consumer and other handlers to risks associated with dairy farming. To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of men and women towards health risks and benefits associated with urban dairy farming in smallholder dairy farming and their immediate non-dairy farming neighbour households. A cross sectional study and participatory urban appraisal (PUA. Urban and peri-urban households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi. Three hundred dairy farming households, and 150 non-dairy farming neighbour households and six participatory urban appraisals, 58 males and 45 females. There were more females than males dairy farmers. Both women and men had equal access to resources and benefits obtained from dairy farming but the men had the greater control over the resources. Low levels of knowledge on the specific health risks related to urban dairy farming were observed. Less than half of the respondents believed they were at risk of being exposed to the health hazards, while 63% sensed they could protect themselves from the health risks. There was an association between knowledge levels, perceptions and behaviour of men and women toward risks associated with dairy farming. Apart from giving treatment to animals most men did less dairy farming activities. Women rated men lower in all dairy activities but when the men did the scoring for the same activities they rated themselves higher, arguing that their participation was indirect such as providing cash to buy the feed supplements and veterinary services. There were gender differences in all important tasks associated with dairy keeping. Farmers stated that older children, when not in school sometimes assisted but in general children did not show much enthusiasm in dairy work.

Isolation of <i>E.coli</i> 0157:H7 from milk and cattle faeces from urban dairy farming and non-dairy farming neighbour households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya: prevalence and risk factors

To estimate the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in milk and cattle faecal samples dairy and non dairy neighbouring households and to relate this prevalence to the risk to human health. Cross sectional study. Urban and peri-urban households of Dagoretti, Division, Nairobi, Kenya. Dairy farming households and non dairy farming neighbouring households. E coli O157:H7 was isolated from milk samples at three of 136 non-dairy neighbour households (2.2% C.I. 0.5%,6.3%) but was not found in any of the milk samples from the 260 milk samples from dairy households (0% C.I. 0.0%,1.4%). E.coli O157:H7 was also found in fifteen of 285 pooled household cattle faecal sample (5.2%, C.I. 3.1%, 8.7%). One of the faecal isolates was found to have the marker for the production of VT1. Discussions with focus groups revealed that the participants had limited knowledge about E. coli O157:H7. Focus group discussions and household questionnaires revealed practices increasing risk of E. coli infections to humans are associated with milking hygiene, drinking water source and treatment, and manure handling. E. coli O157:H7 exists in urban setting and continuous surveillance is needed in case conditions and practices change favoring an increase in its prevalence and transmission to people.

Investigation into the prevalence of bovine cryptosporidiosis among smallholder dairy households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya

To determine the prevalence of bovine cryptosporidiosis and knowledge of this disease among smallholder dairy households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya. Cross-sectional survey of 299 dairy households and 149 non-dairy neighbouring households. Dagoretti Division, a mixed urban and peri-urban area of Nairobi. Dairy householders and their immediate, non-cattle keeping neighbours. There were 50 positive households from 285 households where a fecal sample was collected giving an apparent prevalence of 18% [13, 23]%. Positive households were positively associated with watering cattle with well water, presence of shallow well, cemented cattle shed flooring and number of household cattle. (p < 0.05) Knowledge of cryptosporidiosis was generally low with more dairy respondents, 19% (56/292), who said they had heard of the disease than their non-dairy neighbours, 4% (6/146). This 18% bovine cryptosporidiosis prevalence does not constitute a risk to human health unless Cryptosporidium parvum is present. Typing of these positive samples is needed to assist in accurately determining the risk and enable evidence based management of urban dairy farming.

Reduced Milk Production in Udder Quarters with Subclinical Mastitis and Associated Economic Losses in Crossbred Dairy Cows in Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to estimate the losses associated with subclinical mastitis (SCM) in crossbred dairy cows in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. A split udder investigation was performed with 30 cows to determine production losses associated with SCM. Each quarter of the study cows was examined using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and quarter milk production was measured over a period of 8 days. Production losses were determined for different CMT scores by comparing production of quarters with CMT score 0 to quarters with CMT scores trace, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Using data from a recently published study, economic losses were determined for different farm sizes and production subsystems by multiplying the prevalence of the respective CMT scores with the production losses associated with these CMT scores. Mean quarter milk production was 0.82 +/- 0.40 kg per milking in the split udder trial. Milk production was reduced by 1.2%, 6.3%, and 33% in quarters with CMT scores 1+, 2+, and 3+, respectively. Using data from the published study, a quarter with SCM lost an average of 17.2% of its milk production. Production losses associated with SCM were estimated at 5.6% for the Addis Ababa Milk Shed. Stratified losses were highest (9.3%) in urban dairy farms (UDF) and small-scale farms (6.3%). The estimates of the financial losses ranged from US dollars 29.1 in dairy herds in secondary towns (DHIST) to US dollars 66.6 in UDF. A total loss of US dollars 38 was estimated for each cow per lactation. Reducing mastitis in UDF (highest prevalence) to the level of DHIST (lowest prevalence) could reduce the loss by US dollars 35. As this does not include costs associated with treatment or culling of diseased cows, this figure probably underestimates the possible benefits of control measures.

Bovine dermatophilosis and its influencing factors in central Ethiopia.

A study of bovine cutaneous dermatophilosis was carried out on a total of 6530 animals under different management systems. Of the 6530 animals examined, 334 (5.1%) were found to be positive. A significantly (P > 0.01) higher breed susceptibility was found in Holstein-Friesian cattle (12.8%) than in the local zebu (4.8%). The prevalence of the disease on feed-lots, a ranch, traditional farms and urban dairy farms was 2.9%, 4.2%, 7.1% and 12.8% respectively. Management and breed differences were found to be very important risk factors associated with the disease. However, other factors, including ticks, were also found to be apparently associated with the disease, indicating a complex interplay of several factors in the pathogenesis of dermatophilosis. Possible measures to be taken into account in the control of the disease are suggested.