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Simple Summary: Lameness is an important welfare issue in dairy farming that is causing substantial economic losses. This study aims to determine the association of potential risk factors with farm-level lameness in German dairy herds, including cubicle design and cubicle bedding, feeding management, lameness assessment, claw health management, stocking density, and floor design. Risk factors were identified for all cows regardless of the number of calvings (primiparous and multiparous cows) and for first lactation cows separately. Results of the present study showed that larger cubicle width and deep bedded cubicles are associated with a lower risk of being lame. In farms feeding a total mixed ration, the risk of being lame was lower than in farms with other feeding routines (partial mixed ration or single components). For first lactation cows, the way and frequency of lameness assessment were associated with lameness. Many of the factors revealed by this study are related to cow comfort, especially the comfort when lying down. More attention is needed here to reduce lameness in German dairy cows. Six hundred fifty-nine farms in three regions of Germany (North: n = 240, East: n = 247, and South: n = 172) were included in the study, which aims at determining the association of management-related risk factors with farm-level lameness in German dairy herds. For each risk factor, a generalised linear regression model with negative binomial distribution and logit link was built. Results showed that cows housed in deep-bedded cubicles had a lower risk of being lame than cows housed in other cubicle types. A larger cubicle width was associated with a lower risk of being lame. Feeding a total mixed ration was associated with lower lameness prevalence (compared to feeding a partial mixed ration or single components). For first lactation cows, lameness assessment performed daily (compared to less than daily) and during other work tasks (compared to lameness assessment as a separate work task) were associated with lower risk for lameness. Finally, the present study provided evidence for crucial associations of management-related risk factors with lameness in German dairy cows, especially in the fields of cubicle design, feeding management, and lameness assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lameness in dairy cows is an expression of pain most likely originating from a claw disorder, causing impaired animal wellbeing and substantial economic losses for farmers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of access to pasture, time spent on pasture, and season on farm level lameness prevalence. The survey was part of a cross-sectional observational study, in which farms in three regions of Germany (North, East and South) were visited by study veterinarians. On each farm (total: 659, N: 240, E: 247, S: 172), management data were recorded, and cows were scored for locomotion, according to Sprecher. Median farm-level lameness prevalence (Score 3/5 or higher) was 29.4% (IQR: 18.7% - 42.0%), and 8.2% (IQR: 3.7% - 14.0%) for severe lameness (Score 4/5 or higher). Farm-level lameness prevalence continuously decreased with increasing time spent on pasture (up to approximately 10 hours per cow per day). On farms that did not offer their cows access to pasture lameness prevalence did not show a seasonal variation. On farms where cows had pasture access for up to three hours per day lameness prevalence peaked in autumn. In contrast, on farms offering their cows access to pasture beyond three hours per day the peak of lameness was observed in spring. Our results revealed that even short periods of pasture access of at least two hours per cow and day (on average per year) are beneficial for the locomotion of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production diseases affect dairy cows predominantly during the transition period. A causal relationship is drawn between high milk yield and the occurrence of production diseases. Such a monocausal approach, however, does not reflect the real situation as production diseases are multifactorial by origin, with exogen (environmental) and endogen (animal related) factors being involved. The bovine metabolism follows the rules of a complex system as it is characterized by a great number of variables (metabolic parameters) that interact by positive as well as negative feedback mechanisms of variable intensity. Furthermore the effects of such feedback mechanisms might not occur instantaneously but with some delay in time. Negative feedback loops contribute to the stability of a complex system. Resilience with respect to animal health is defined as the capacity of animals to cope with short-term perturbations in their environments and return rapidly to their pre-challenge status. Aim of the present paper is to answer the question whether resilience does exist in dairy cows, what characteristics it shares, whether it is measurable and whether research on resilience could contribute to a decrease in the incidence rates of production diseases. Close monitoring of dairy cows by clinical examination, use of sensor technology and analysis of blood samples for metabolic parameters (NEFA, Ca, P, urea, albumin, haptoglobin,) and faecal samples in the dry period allowed Dutch researchers to identify cows on beforehand that were at risk of developing production diseases in the post partum period. Cows at risk demonstrated differences in their behaviour as well as a delayed return of selected metabolic analytes to the reference range following calving compared to cows that remained healthy during the transition period. Identification of resilient dairy cows could help breeders in their efforts to improve dairy health and allow farmers to take preventive measures whenever a cow at risk is identified in the dry period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The "PraeRi" study, conducted by three German veterinary universities from 2016 to 2020, was aimed at enhancing dairy health and welfare. With 765 visited dairy farms and 101,307 animals examined, the designed study provided an opportunity for improving animal well-being. Researchers applied good epidemiologic practice and concepts proven in large-scale studies, in a study comprising three different regions in Germany with varying farm characteristics. A sample size of 250 farms per region, determined through stratified sampling based on farm size, ensured representative estimates. According to the information provided by the farmers, mastitis was the most frequently occurring disease in their herds (14.2% to 16.3% of the herd—depending on the region). For most disorders, prevalence data were lowest for the region South compared with the two remaining regions. Statistical analyses identified risk factors, with results communicated through individual reports and benchmarking flyers to participating farmers. Challenges arose from managing practical procedures and communication due to the project's vast scale. Harmonizing data management and hypothesis testing across involved parties added complexity. Despite challenges, the PraeRi study considerably contributed to advancing dairy health and welfare practices. From 2016 to 2020, the "PraeRi" study, conducted by three German veterinary universities, was aimed at enhancing animal health and welfare in dairy farms. With 765 dairy farms visited and 101,307 animals examined, this study provided a basis for improving animal health and welfare. The study population comprised three different regions representing a broad variety of characteristics. To ensure representative estimates, a sample size of 250 farms was determined for each region, employing a stratified sampling plan based on farm size. According to the information provided by the farmers, the most commonly occurring disease in their herds was mastitis without general disorder (14.2% to 16.3% of the herd—depending on the region). For most disorders, prevalence data were lowest for the region South compared with the two remaining regions. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for various target variables, and the results were communicated through individual reports and benchmarking flyers to participating farmers. The authors encountered challenges in management and communication due to the project's size in terms of personnel, data, and farms examined. Harmonizing data management and hypothesis testing across all involved parties added complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between milk recording data, body condition score (BCS), housing factors, management factors, and lameness in freestall-housed dairy cows in 3 structurally different regions in Germany. These regions substantially vary regarding herd size, breeds, access to pasture, farm management (family run or company owned), and percentage of organic farms. The data used was collected in a large cross-sectional study from 2016 to 2019. A total of 58,144 cows from 651 farms in 3 regions of Germany (North, East, and South) was scored for locomotion and body condition. Additionally, data on milk yield, milk composition, breed, age, as well as information on housing and management were retrieved. One mixed-logistic regression model was fitted per region to evaluate the association of the data with the target variable "lame" and to allow for a comprehensive reflection across different kinds of farming types. In all regions, undercondition (BCS lower than recommended for the lactation stage; North: odds ratio [OR] 2.15, CI 1.96–2.34; East: OR 2.66, CI 2.45–2.88; South: OR 2.45, CI 2.01–2.98) and mid-lactation stage (102–204 d in milk; North: OR 1.15, CI 1.05–1.27; East: OR 1.24, CI 1.17–1.32; South: OR 1.38, CI 1.18–1.62) were associated with higher odds for lameness, whereas overcondition (BCS higher than recommended for the lactation stage; North: OR 0.51, CI 0.44–0.60; East: OR 0.51, CI 0.48–0.54; South: OR 0.65, CI 0.54–0.77) and parity of 1 or 2 was associated with lower odds (parity 1 = North: OR 0.32, CI 0.29–0.35; East: OR 0.19, CI 0.18–0.20; South: OR 0.28, CI 0.24–0.33; parity 2 = North: OR 0.51, CI 0.47–0.46; East: OR 0.41, CI 0.39–0.44; South: OR 0.49, CI 0.42–0.57), irrespective of the regional production characteristics. Low energy-corrected milk yield was associated with higher odds for lameness in South and North (North: OR 1.16, CI 1.05–1.27; South: OR 1.43, CI 1.22–1.69). Further factors such as pasture access for cows (North: OR 0.64, CI 0.50–0.82; and South: OR 0.65, CI 0.47–0.88), milk protein content (high milk protein content = North: OR 1.34, CI 1.18–1.52; East: OR 1.17, CI 1.08–1.28; low milk protein content = North: OR 0.79, CI 0.71–0.88; East: OR 0.84, CI 0.79–0.90), and breed (lower odds for "other" [other breeds than German Simmental and German Holstein] in East [OR 0.47, CI 0.42–0.53] and lower odds both for German Holstein and "other" in South [German Holstein: OR 0.62, CI 0.43–0.90; other: OR 0.46, CI 0.34 – 0.62]) were associated with lameness in 2 regions, respectively. The risk of ketosis (higher odds in North: OR 1.11, CI 1.01–1.22) and somatic cell count (higher odds in East: increased (>39.9 cells × 1,000/mL): OR 1.10; CI 1.03–1.17; high (>198.5 cells × 1,000/mL): OR 1.08; CI 1.01–1.06) altered the odds for lameness in 1 region, respectively. Cows from organic farms had lower odds for lameness in all 3 regions (North: OR 0.18, CI 0.11–0.32; East: OR 0.39, CI 0.28–0.56; South: OR 0.45, CI 0.29–0.68). As the dairy production systems differed substantially between the different regions, the results of this study can be viewed as representative for a wide variety of loose-housed dairy systems in Europe and North America. The consistent association between low BCS and lameness in all regions aligns with the previous literature. Our study also suggests that risk factors for lameness can differ between geographically regions, potentially due to differences in which dairy production system is predominantly used and that region-specific characteristics should be taken into account in comparable future projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV‐1) is the causative agent of Borna disease, an often fatal neurologic condition of domestic mammals, including New World camelids, in endemic areas in Central Europe. Recently, BoDV‐1 gained further attention by the confirmation of fatal zoonotic infections in humans. Although Borna disease and BoDV‐1 have been described already over the past decades, comprehensive reports of Borna disease outbreaks in domestic animals employing state‐of‐the‐art diagnostic methods are missing. Here, we report a series of BoDV‐1 infections in a herd of 27 alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany, which resulted in eleven fatalities (41%) within ten months. Clinical courses ranged from sudden death without previous clinical signs to acute or chronic neurologic disease with death occurring after up to six months. All animals that underwent necropsy exhibited a non‐suppurative encephalitis. In addition, six apparently healthy seropositive individuals were identified within the herd, suggesting subclinical BoDV‐1 infections. In infected animals, BoDV‐1 RNA and antigen were mainly restricted to the central nervous system and the eye, and sporadically detectable in large peripheral nerves and neuronal structures in other tissues. Pest control measures on the farm resulted in the collection of a BoDV‐1‐positive bicoloured white‐toothed shrew (Crocidura leucodon), while all other trapped small mammals were negative. A phylogeographic analysis of BoDV‐1 sequences from the alpacas, the shrew and BoDV‐1‐positive equine cases from the same region in Brandenburg revealed a previously unreported endemic area of BoDV‐1 cluster 4 in North‐Western Brandenburg. In conclusion, alpacas appear to be highly susceptible to BoDV‐1 infection and display a highly variable clinical picture ranging from peracute death to subclinical forms. In addition to horses and sheep, they can serve as sensitive sentinels used for the identification of endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of skin lesions at the legs of dairy cows often serves as an indicator for animal welfare and is used as a measurement of adequacy of the present housing conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of skin lesions at the carpus, tarsus, and stifle in Swiss dairy cows kept in tie stalls and to describe potential risk factors associated with the different types and severities thereof. Skin lesions and potential risk factors were assessed in 627 cows of 27 tie stall farms in a cross-sectional study. The associations of each outcome and the potential risk factors were assessed by means of logistic regression models using farm as the random factor. One odds ratio was obtained for each biologically relevant risk factor category and the final models were compared between the lesion types and locations. Tarsal lesions were recorded most frequently, with a prevalence of 62.2, 34.4, and 24.0% for moderate to severe hair loss, any severity of ulceration, and moderate to severe swelling, respectively. The prevalence of carpal lesions ranged from 54.4% for hair loss, over 7.7% for ulceration, to 6.1% for swelling, while stifle lesions were recorded less frequently with a prevalence of 18.6, 8.9, 3.4% for hair loss, ulceration, and swelling, respectively. The risk for various skin lesion types and locations significantly increased, when the concrete stall base was covered with a rubber mat and the bedding depth was low. Cows were at the lowest risk to develop skin lesions when they had more than 13 days of outdoor exercise per month. The prevalence of skin lesions in tied Swiss dairy cows is remarkably high and could possibly be reduced by providing the herd more frequent outdoor exercise and a well-cushioned, friction-absorbing and non-abrasive lying surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]