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In two marginal dairy communities with similar physical environment, ethnic composition, and farm structure, a significant difference in productivity (milk yield per cow) was related to differences in educational attainment of farmers, proximity to an urban area, and availability of marketing outlets and agricultural information sources. Contains 33 references. (SV)

Effectiveness of a videotape on milking procedures was evaluated by showing it to 218 dairy farmers, with previewing evaluation, 2 viewings with discussion between, and postviewing evaluation. Tape quality and information content were rated highly, but an immediate second viewing was considered less effective than providing tapes for subsequent home viewing. (SK)

Of 21 farmers who watched a video of a master dairy farmer, 69% adopted one or more new practices. A key to successful video production was an articulate subject interacting with knowledgeable extension faculty asking questions. The quality of audio and video equipment was also important. (SK)

Extends research of how dairy farm couples allocate their labor across on- and off-farm work domains. Reports that farm, family, and individual characteristics influence the differentiation and integration of husbands' and wives' on- and off-farm work similarly, but that effects of these factors are mediated by crop. Contains 21 references (Author/DHP)

Describes a study conducted to determine if extension agents could expand their audience through a series of statewide on-farm meetings. The study also sought to determine if the on-farm approach would result in adoption of recommended mastitis control practices. Results are presented and discussed. (CT)

Displaced abomasum (DA) is an important digestive condition that adversely affects the economic performance and the productive lifespan of a dairy cow. Due to increasing DA incidence in recent years, the present research was performed to estimate the potential effects of DA on the performance of Iranian Holstein. Production data were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the associations of DA occurrence with the time from calving to first service, pregnancy (in 120 and 220 DIM, respectively) and culling. The least-square means showed that DA was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with reduced milk, fat, and protein yields, especially during peak milk production. Results of survival analyzes showed that DA could be associated with reduced probability pregnancy in the first service at 120 DIM (hazard ratio = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.51–0.64), and at 220 DIM (hazard ratio = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.76–0.86) and with an increased hazard of culling in the same lactation (hazard ratio = 3.85; 95% CI = 3.13–4.74). Considering negative effects of DA in dairy cows, it can be concluded, quantitative knowledge of the consequences of DA may convince dairy farmers to apply preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of DA in the herd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the effects of adopting dairy feed technology bundles on the milk production of smallholder dairy farmers. Design/methodology/approach: The study was based on Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESR) to estimate the effects of the adoption of three feed technology bundles on milk production using data collected from 518 dairy farm households in West Java, Indonesia. Findings: The findings indicated that adopting technology bundles had positive and robust effects on milk production, with gradual positive effects between non-adoption and the adoption of different bundles of technologies. Research limitations/implications: This study focused on the association between the adoption of feed technology bundles and milk production. However, further analysis of the causal links between the adoption of feed technologies and milk production as well as the inclusion of other outcomes in the analysis, such as production costs and risk mitigation, are required. Originality/value: Most of the literature on agricultural technology adoption focuses on the adoption of individual technologies, crop farming and conservation practices. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the adoption of dairy feed technology bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lameness in dairy cows is a prevalent welfare problem and imposes direct and indirect economic costs on producers. Lameness can be acute or chronic, however, a shared definition of what constitutes chronic lameness is currently lacking amongst stakeholders. Our study used structured interviews to address this gap. We interviewed 22 UK-based participants (eight veterinarians, eight dairy farmers, three foot-trimmers; two were veterinarians and dairy farmers; another was a farmer and foot trimmer). Stakeholder responses found good agreement with work done by previous authors, e.g., on behavioral and production-related lameness indicators; and that lame cows experience pain because of their lameness and, thus, suffer compromised welfare. Participants used descriptive terms (e.g., “recurrent”) and suggested measurable characteristics (e.g., bout duration) to define chronic lameness. Stakeholders reported that chronic lameness not only affects cow welfare but also reduces the wellbeing of people working with them; and also raised concerns over the environmental costs of chronic lameness, such as increased culling and reduced sustainability. Developing some of our findings into a future definition of chronic lameness would be the first step in understanding and quantifying the extent of this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Food safety remains a challenge in developing nations, including Ethiopia, where dairy products are known to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. Limited food safety interventions studies for improving food safety along the food supply chain have been conducted. The objective of this intervention study was to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of women dairy farmers in the central highlands of Ethiopia by developing and delivering training customized to their education level. Methods: A total of 120 dairy women farmers were recruited from local milk cooperatives and milk collection centers at four study sites. Training materials on clean milk production and hygienic milking practices were developed for an audience that may not be able to read or write. The 3-day curriculum was delivered using theoretical lecturing, video presentation, practical activities, and handouts, and learning was assessed with a questionnaire and checklist. Results: The study indicated that women dairy farmers improved their knowledge, attitude, and practices relating to quality milk production. However, milk shade assessments of individual farmers identified many important risk factors for clean milk production that were due to infrastructure issues. Discussion: The effectiveness of the training materials and approach was supported by the increase in KAPs assessment scores from pre-training to post-training for all study sites. Comparisons of the training outcomes and evaluation results of milk shades were found counterintuitive, which revealed the complexity of food safety interventions. Customized food safety training is effective but should be combined with dairy farming infrastructure improvements to achieve the goal of clean milk production at farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper envisages potential determinants to foster available entrepreneurial strategies among dairy farmers in the Southern region of Punjab, Pakistan. Harnessing the potential of the dairy sub-sector for sustainable development is coupled with appropriate entrepreneurial strategies in developed countries. However, the entrepreneurial strategies among dairy farmers in low-income countries such as Pakistan are little researched. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper examines the potential determinants to foster available entrepreneurial strategies among dairy farmers in the Southern region of Punjab, Pakistan. We developed a classification scheme to explore different entrepreneurial strategies (e.g. reduction, continuance, expansion, diversification, and a combined expansion and diversification plan) practised by dairy farmers in the study area. Utilising original farm-level data (n = 273) of dairy farmers, we employed a multinomial logit model (ML). Findings: The ML estimates revealed that access to marketing channels, modern techniques, market information, and government support for dairy farmers significantly affect entrepreneurial strategies. Of these variables, access to agricultural extension services and access to alternate marketing channels attract farmers to expand their farming activities. From this perspective, the availability of marketing channels and access to agricultural extension services appears as the most promising policy option. Practical implications: Farmers' entrepreneurial abilities and strategies can be improved by enhancing the marketing structure and ensuring access to contemporary technology, agricultural extension services, and market knowledge. This will create beneficial synergies for the development of the dairy sub-sector and sustainable development in general. Theoretical Implications: The study classifies the farmers' entrepreneurial strategies into reduction, continuation, expansion, diversification, and both expansion and diversification. It explains the determinants of various entrepreneurial strategies fostering farmers' decision-making and provides contexts resistant to robust entrepreneurial strategies. Originality/Value: The result of this study may be of high interest to policymakers, dairy farmers, and other stakeholders within the dairy sector for designing effective entrepreneurial strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: It is essential to regularly identify welfare issues and continuously improve welfare practices on dairy farms. Since early 2023, the Welfair® scheme has provided simplified internal audits based on the Welfare Quality® Protocols as a way to shorten the time and simplify the assessment process. We hypothesized that, even if a full assessment is not conducted, this practical approach is sufficient to drive changes in welfare conditions on farms, contributing to a better final classification. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of these visits, offering a critical analysis of the resulting improvements. The Welfair® certificate has become an important part of food chain integrity for animal welfare assessment in several countries, relying on a rigorous audit that verifies compliance with legislation and assesses animal welfare through the Welfare Quality Protocol (WQP). Dairy cattle farmers are encouraged to conduct internal audits beforehand to self-assess the farm's animal welfare level. Since early 2023, the Welfair® scheme has proposed simplified audits to shorten the time needed for internal audits. Ten measures are selected from the WQP, five of which must always be assessed: body condition, water provision, lameness, integument alterations, and pain management in disbudding. The main objective of this study was to determine whether analyzing the results of these five key indicators helps in identifying welfare problems, ultimately leading to a better final score. To test this, seven Portuguese commercial dairy farms were randomly selected to conduct a simplified internal audit followed by a certification audit. Considering the circumstances of our study, the visits proved essential to promoting better welfare practices, which positively influenced the final classification. However, areas that require improvement (such as the lack of an accurate risk analysis of the simplified audits provided by the Welfair® scheme) were identified and are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

US dairy markets have become increasingly volatile, which presents a challenge for dairy farmers and industry participants to manage risk, disturbing the stability of the industry. However, the study of dairy volatility is limited. This article investigates the return comovement and price volatility of four major US dairy commodities: butter, cheese, Class III milk, and dry whey. We also investigate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on dairy volatility. Our results show that dairy commodities returns and volatilities are positively correlated, but only cheese and Class III milk correlate strongly. The volatilities of butter, cheese, and Class III milk are impacted comparably by return shocks and past volatility. However, dry whey volatility is predominantly driven by past volatility. Using multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (MGARCH) models, we demonstrate that return comovements are time-varying and volatilities are interdependent among dairy commodities. Volatility spillover effects are observed among dairy commodities, especially between dry whey and cheese. The COVID-19 pandemic amplifies dairy volatilities and spillover effects, with a more substantial impact on cheese and milk. Interestingly, dry whey experiences the least impact and performs better during the pandemic. Our results aid market participants in risk management and inform policymakers' decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy farmers are grappling with serious business challenges, including rising operational costs, labour shortages, unstable milk prices, changing consumer preferences, long hours with minimal downtime and unstable weather patterns due to climate change impacts. Using a telephone-based representative survey and interviews with 147 Australian dairy farmers conducted in 2023, we employed a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine the challenges and primary concerns of the participants, as well as to explore potential solutions. Four key variables that contributed significantly to a binary logistic regression model of transition intentions were identified, namely: level of satisfaction with dairy farming, openness to exploring other agricultural alternatives to dairy farming, preference to receive financial and/or other support to remain in the industry and preference to receive financial and/or other support to transition into a different form of farming or business. This model accurately predicted the probability that farmers were considering transitioning away from dairy farming and the probability that they were considering staying in dairy farming. This deepens our understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in the Australian dairy industry, and provides policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers with critical insights to facilitate transition pathways that will enhance farmers' future sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive experiences offer opportunities to improve the experiences of animals through positive affect, beyond the absence of negative experiences such as illness or pain. The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives of dairy farmers regarding positive welfare opportunities for dairy cows and calves. Five focus groups were held with dairy farmers (n = 27) in Ontario, Canada. Audio recordings of the discussions were transcribed verbatim, and applied thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants initially focused discussion on pasture access, cow-calf contact, and group housing of calves. Two themes were identified from the data: 1) tacit expertise of farmers and 2) influences on farmer choice. Participants invoked their expertise and had conflicting opinions on how various positive opportunities could affect cattle health and welfare. There were divergent views when discussing dairy farming in general. However, when speaking specifically about their own farm, participants were reluctant to implement positive opportunities, citing risks of decreased milk production and avoidable health problems. Autonomy to choose which positive opportunities best suited farm-specific management and financial situations was preferred to regulation. Finally, participants prioritized minimizing negative experiences for cows and calves but maintained aspects of positive welfare (e.g., described as happy, content, or autonomy) as important characteristics of a cow's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the lower paper was to analyze the profitability of milk production in different types of dairy farms. The economic aspects of milk production in different types of cow farming were presented. The profitability of milk production was analyzed on the basis of the financial results obtained by dairy farms as a result of selling raw material to the dairy plant. Design/methodology/approach: The results were collected using a face-to-face interview method with the owners of the farms participating in the survey. The information obtained from the farmers included general data about the farm (e.g., size, owner's education, number of dairy cows) and detailed data underlying the milk payment for the two study periods, i.e., 2019 and 2020. Findings: Profits received on intensive farms were several times higher than on other farms (11 times higher than income from milk sales on relict farms, 9 times higher than on low-budget farms, and 5 times higher than that received on traditional farms). Research limitations: The stoping of operations on extensive farms is the most important limitation in further research work, due to the inability to obtain data to perform analyses on the ecomics of milk production in traditional and low-cost milk production systems. Practical implications: Analyze the actual state of profitability of different types of experimental farms and identify corrective measures that can be taken on the farms participating in the study to improve the economics of production. Among the most important measures that can be taken by owners of low-budget farms are the improvement of the basic distinguishing features of milk quality, which are also the determinants of charging for milk. The work is addressed to both dairy farmers and processing plants, buying raw material. Originality/value: Analysis of the economics of milk production on very small farms, which are not usually the focus of research teams. The analysis made it possible to point out to breeders of animals kept in the system of extensive production, opportunities to improve the quality of the raw material (milk). Useful forms of support were indicated, such as programs from which funding can be obtained (EU Funds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor quality of natural pastures in the dry season does not make it possible to meet dairy cows' requirements for milk production in Burkina Faso and in most West African countries. Therefore, it is urgent to find an alternative by developing a full diet from locally available ingredients. The objective was to determine a diet for dairy cattle based on locally available ingredients in the peri-urban area of Ouagadougou. A progressive methodology was used. Thus, a survey was conducted ontoonton 30 dairy farms. This survey was followed by chemical analysis, for which the most dominant forage and concentrate ingredients were selected. Secondly, the recording of milk and on-farm ingredient use was also carried out using Op-Ration software (Op-Ration version V3.4.5.0) in order to compare and determine the most suitable diets. The data from the survey were subjected to descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20. Those from chemical analysis, milk recording, and ingredient assessment on the farm were subjected to a statistical method using the software Minitab version.18.1.0.0 setup. The results showed two dominant forage species, Sorghum (84.85%) and Pennisetum pedicellatum (90.91%), and two dominant concentrates, corn bran (32%) and cottonseed meal (26%), used by dairy farmers. From these ingredients and simulating the requirements of 400 kgPV0.75 of lactating cows, a diet assessment was carried out at early, middle, and end lactation. The results showed that at the beginning of lactation, the diet consisted of 6.73 kg of forage and 6.59 kg of concentrate for 13.5 L as the main objective of milk production. The diet for mid-lactation was 8 kg of forage and 6.5 kg of concentrate for 15.5 L per day and 5.7 kg of forage and 3.8 kg of concentrate for the end of lactation. The results of this study show that it is possible to manufacture a complete ration for dairy cows at different stages of lactation from locally available forages and concentrates in the peri-urban area of Ouagadougou. This type of method could be applied to other regions from local forages and concentrates for milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineral profile of meat is important for human nutrition, but little is known of the effects on it of type of bovine meat (veal vs beef), farming system, and the breed or breed combination of calves. The longissimus thoracis of 104 carcases of intensively fattened veal calves (4 breed combinations), 115 intensively fed young beef bulls (6 breed combinations), and 12 young bulls from dairy farms were sampled for mineral profiling covering: 6 essential macro-minerals (Na, Mg, P, S, K and Ca), 5 essential micro-minerals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) and 5 environmental micro-minerals (B, Al, Ni, Sr and Si). Veal and beef meat were found to differ in the contents of all the minerals, except P, Mn and Ni; beef was not greatly affected by farming system. The mineral profile was negligibly affected by the breed combination in beef × dairy crossbred veal calves and young bulls, but there were larger differences in the mineral profiles of young bulls obtained from suckler cows compared with those obtained from dairy cows. HIGHLIGHTS: Veal and beef meat from beef × dairy crossbreeds differ in their contents of almost all macro- (except P) and micro-minerals (except Mn and Ni). Farming system does not affect the mineral profile of beef fattened intensively by specialised fatteners or extensively by dairy farmers. The breed combination in beef × dairy crossbreds has a negligible effect on the mineral profile of veal and beef meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tool to help Italian dairy farmers choosing the most suitable replacement strategy has been developed. The approach aimed to identify yearly female replacement needs based on herd performance level and combination of different semen type (conventional, sex-sorted, and beef semen), with the ultimate goal of enhancing farm profit. A case study based on a 350-cow Holstein herd was used and three levels of herd fertility (high, medium, and low) were simulated to define the yearly number of dairy female replacements needed and the number of females yielded under different semen utilisation scenario. The number of annual dairy replacements was obtained as the number of cows multiplied by the replacement rate and adjusted by the age at first calving. Number of animals yielded was used to evaluate the replacement cost per 100 L of milk. Then, four strategies of sexed semen utilisation were combined with five strategies of beef semen use. Animals that were not inseminated with sexed or beef semen were bred with conventional semen. Regardless of fertility level, the number of dairy female replacement heifers that the farm needs are 110. Increasing beef semen use allows farmer to yield less replacement heifers. Furthermore, as beef semen use increases and the number of replacement heifers decreases, replacement cost per 100 L of milk reduces. Therefore, our results highlighted that replacement costs increase with increasing number of yielded heifers. Hence, combining beef and sexed semen to reach heifer balance close to zero, decreased the replacement cost. HIGHLIGHTS: Yielding more heifers than needed is not the most profitable strategy for farmers. Combining sexed-sorted semen with beef semen allow farmers to breed less heifers. The developed tool will be implemented into a mating program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. The objective of this study was to understand dairy farmers' awareness of and perceived barriers to the implementation of best management practices (BMP) for the transportation of lactating culled cows being moved to auction or abattoir. An invitation to participate was emailed to all dairy farms in Ontario, Canada. Responses to this invitation were used to recruit additional participants through criterion purposive snowball sampling. In total, 28 dairy producers participated in 1 of 5 semistructured focus groups. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with applied thematic analysis. Four themes were identified, including (1) transfer of responsibility, (2) interpersonal relationships, (3) juggling priorities, and (4) complexities of long-term planning. Individual participant knowledge varied, and participants also described misconceptions that other producers held surrounding transport duration and distances or the number of possible sales points for lactating culled cows. Participants did not agree on whether the producer's responsibility ended once the cow left their property or if all stakeholders from the farm to the final destination shared responsibility. Participants discussed the importance of existing trusted relationships with local cattle transporters and veterinarians to ensure information on best practices is shared. Participants also discussed how business pressures (e.g., production demands, space limitations) often challenge their ability to dry off lactating cows before transport; however, they mentioned that the degree of milk production may influence the destination of their animal (e.g., direct to slaughter for animals with high milk production). Some participants described a dynamic balance between business pressures and the potential for declining welfare of the animals under consideration for culling during lactation. Participants posited that producers who did not prioritize proactive herd management and producers nearing retirement had limited long-term planning for culling individual cows, which might lead to the transport of vulnerable or unfit animals. Finally, the lack of access to direct transportation to local slaughter was identified as an important barrier to adherence with the BMP for cull cows. In summary, many participants did not have an accurate understanding of what happens to cull cows after departing the farm, and they were unsure whether they retained a level of responsibility for an animal after it was transported from their farm. The priority placed by participants on trusted interpersonal relationships, the greater availability of peer-to-peer farmer training, and the professional accreditation of animal transporters, in addition to structural changes to increase local slaughter capacity, could potentially be leveraged to increase implementation of BMP and enhance lactating cull cow welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of contract farming on the technical efficiency of dairy farmers in urban and peri-urban areas, specifically in Nekemte City, Ethiopia. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research design employed to obtain the data was a cross-sectional study. For data analysis, both primary and secondary sources of information were gathered. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. A simple random sampling technique was followed to select 181 sample dairy farm producers in urban and peri-urban areas of Nekemte city. The data analysis methods that were employed included descriptive analysis, Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier analysis, and the propensity score matching technique. Findings: According to the Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function results, the most significant input in milk production is fodder, which has the biggest coefficient (= 0.353). The sum of the coefficients of all inputs is 0.512, and dairy farmers in the study area have been operating at decreasing returns to scale. The result of logistic regressions showed that the owner or manager's age, education, and experience are important factors that influence their decision to participate in urban dairy contract farming. The results of the propensity score matching technique showed that dairy farmers' technical efficiency increased by 0.150, or 21.52%, because of contract farming. Conclusion: The results of the study highlight that contract farming helps dairy farmers in urban and peri-urban areas become more technically efficient. Research Implications: The result of the study can serve as an input for policy formulation and serve as a stepping stone for other researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the supply and demand for chicken meat and fresh cow's milk in Norway and argues that understanding demand as being co-constituted and interrelated with supply is crucial for reducing consumption. This study takes a constructivist systems of provision perspective to examine the chain of activities that links production and consumption. Analyzing how the use of chicken meat and fresh cow's milk has evolved through socially and historically contingent processes in Norway, the article describes how these products became commonplace through state involvement, nutritional advice, companies, and consumers. The demand for liquid milk decreased in the 1980s, providing a rare insight into a system of provision in decline, although both government and industry actors wanted the situation to be otherwise. This study highlights that the milk-provision system failed to address the factors that contributed to the decline in milk consumption, which worsened the situation for dairy farmers. This is contrasted with the case of chickens, which represents a story of expanded demand through industrial intensification and new food norms. Under the presumption that a theory that explains an increase in demand must also be able to explain a decrease in demand, the analysis highlights the factors that caused a reduction in fresh milk consumption and the factors that led to growth in the demand for chicken meat. The article concludes that a constructivist perspective allows for a more nuanced understanding of the making and unmaking of demand through processes of alignment/misalignment with established political, economic, and societal goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The herd veterinarian plays a crucial role in providing information and troubleshooting on udder health and bovine mastitis on a dairy farm. In this study, we questioned pairs of dairy farmers and herd veterinarians to uncover the dairy farmer's perception of the communication with the herd veterinarian's skills as a consultant. We found that agreement between the dairy farmer and the herd veterinarian in terms of interaction was surprisingly poor. On that basis, we suggest that the herd veterinarian should rethink their approach to motivating, implementing, and monitoring the quality of udder health consulting. The frequency with which udder health is discussed and how potential problems are identified were associated with a significantly lower BTSCC estimate of 427 cells/mL. In contrast, general cooperation between the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian was associated with an estimated increase of 604 cells/mL in BTSCC. Udder health consulting is an essential aspect of mastitis control and is based on herd-specific intervention often provided by the herd veterinarian, focusing on managing the bulk tank somatic cell count. Effective communication and alignment of expectations between dairy farmers and herd veterinarians are more critical than ever due to the substantial increase in herd sizes, which amplifies both potential gains and losses. To facilitate future cooperation between dairy farmers and herd veterinarians, it is important to understand the current level of agreement in communication, and therefore, we conducted a study to describe the agreement in the perception of their communication during udder health consulting. From August 2019 to February 2021, herds (n = 88) were selected to participate in the study, with the herd size ranging from 105 to 1291 milking cows. The dairy farmer and herd veterinarian were encouraged to answer a questionnaire to shed light on their perception of communication during udder health consulting. The agreement between the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian regarding their perception of communication during udder health consulting was initially analyzed using Cohen's weighted kappa. The agreement between farmers and veterinarians ranged from −0.06 and 0.12, indicating that the herd veterinarians' focus is inconsistent with the dairy farmers' preferences. The frequency with which udder health is discussed and how potential problems are identified were associated with a significantly lower BTSCC estimate of 427 cells/mL. In contrast, general cooperation between the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian was associated with an estimated increase of 604 cells/mL in BTSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy farmers in developing countries face numerous challenges, including price instability, limited credit access, outdated technology adoption, market barriers, and poverty. Cooperatives offer promising solutions to farmers' problems and help them enhance their agricultural sustainability. Although the impact of cooperative membership has been widely investigated, little evidence is found in dairy farming households. This study estimates the impact of cooperative membership on dairy farmers' household incomes, net returns, and profits from dairy products (processed and fresh milk). The cross‐sectional data were collected from 300 dairy farmers in East Java, Indonesia. Inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment (IPWRA) and two‐stage predictor substitution (2SPS) were used in the analysis to address the selection bias in the estimation. The findings are corroborated by a robustness check using propensity score matching. The results show that dairy farmers' decisions to join a cooperative are positively and significantly influenced by farming experience, transportation ownership, number of cattle owned, and involvement in social activities and are negatively influenced by age. Cooperative membership significantly improves farmers' welfare by increasing their household incomes, net returns, and profits from fresh milk products. However, the membership reduces profits from processed milk products. These findings suggest that the government should encourage farmers to participate actively in cooperatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the commitment of farmer members to traditional and hybrid cooperatives, and examines how and why their commitment has changed over time. The empirical basis consists of three surveys of representative samples of Finnish farmers conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2016. Dairy cooperatives in Finland have a traditional organizational form. Animal breeders deliver to hybrid cooperatives that have some external investors, but farmers have the majority of the votes. In both industries, the farmers are committed to their cooperatives and increasingly so over the years. This is particularly true of dairy farmers. However, the members' commitment is based more on their satisfaction with the cooperatives' business activities rather than on any cohesion within the cooperative societies. One explanation for this is that primary agriculture is becoming more consolidated, with fewer but larger farms whose owners are business oriented and professional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aflatoxins, primary foodborne mycotoxins, come from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus fungi. They pose significant health risks to humans and animals, creating a major challenge in the dairy sector. The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dairy farmers regarding aflatoxin contamination in milk and feeds. Conducted as a cross‐sectional study in Bahir Dar city between November 2019 and February 2020, this investigation randomly selected 106 dairy farms for data collection. Face‐to‐face interviews, facilitated by a semistructured questionnaire, were employed. Findings indicate that 59.4% of respondents displayed good knowledge, while a substantial 94.3% exhibited a favorable attitude. Intriguingly, only 1.9% implemented good practices. Notably, the educational background of dairy farmers emerged as a significant factor influencing their KAP (p < 0.05). Conversely, various sociodemographic factors did not yield a significant impact on the KAP of dairy farmers. Despite a robust knowledge base and favorable attitudes towards aflatoxin among dairy farmers, the study highlights a significant gap in the implementation of recommended practices. This finding emphasizes the necessity for increased efforts to cultivate and reinforce good practices. Collaborative initiatives involving diverse stakeholders are crucial to reducing aflatoxin contamination in the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The EU represents the second largest milk producer at the global level and has the potential to be a key driver of future economic growth. However, the European dairy sector is facing major challenges. To achieve its potential, growth must be delivered from sustainable production systems, which provide viable incomes and an adequate quality of life to dairy farmers, impact less on the environment, and are valued by society. This study focusses on improving the resilience of the dairy farming systems in Europe. Fifteen EU countries participated. Needs and solutions (practices, techniques, and tools) were inventoried by surveys and by a series of local workshops. The solutions were scored by experts, farmers, and stakeholders from the participating countries. The outcomes highlight the diversity in farmer communities and stakeholders in Europe and the practices and techniques most wanted to contribute to building a more resilient dairy sector in times to come. The objective of the EU project Resilience for Dairy (R4D) is to develop and strengthen a self-sustainable Thematic Network on resilient dairy farms in 15 European countries. This article focusses on those solutions (practices and techniques) that are assessed contributing to a resilient dairy farming sector. The opinions of experts, farmers, and stakeholders were collected and scored through surveys and in a series of local workshops. Six key contributing knowledge fields are included: economic and social resilience, technical efficiency, environment, animal welfare and health, and societal perception. Assessing these knowledge fields proved to be a good predictor for measuring resilience. Only the impact fields of animal welfare and health and societal perception overlapped each other in response. This study shows differences in the choice of solutions across Europe. Experts from South and East Europe are more positive about the contribution of solutions to resilience than their colleagues from North and West Europe, except for social life items. Expert and farmer/stakeholder opinions differ regarding several of the solutions. Technical efficiency is a leading strategy. Priority topics of interest are communication with society, renewable energy production, strategic hoof trimming, early detection of diseases, monitoring fertility and health, and calf rearing. Besides resilience, attractiveness and readiness of the solutions were also assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin constitutes a significant concern for food and feed safety, posing detrimental health risks to both animals and humans. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and concentration of aflatoxins in maize feed, total mixed ration, and wheat bran collected from specialized dairy farms and local markets in three major urban centers in eastern Ethiopia. A total of 180 feed samples were collected from September 2021 to January 2022 in Chiro town, Dire Dawa city, and Harar city. These samples underwent thorough extraction and immunoaffinity clean-up before aflatoxin analysis using HPLC/FLD. The results revealed that AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, and TAF contamination was detected in 72.2%, 66.1%, 71.1%, 68.7%, and 82.8% of the feed samples, respectively. The corresponding mean levels of each aflatoxin were 28.15 ± 3.50, 3.3 ± 0.40, 19.87 ± 1.87, 2.7 ± 0.32, and 54.01 ± 4.72 µg/kg, respectively. The occurrence and levels of aflatoxin varied across different study sites and feed types. Notably, feeds from Dire Dawa city exhibited significantly higher mean levels of AFB1 (43.98 ± 5.3 µg/kg), AFB2 (5.69 ± 0.6 µg/kg), AFG1 (32.25 ± 2.7 µg/kg), and AFG2 (5.01 ± 0.5 µg/kg) than feeds from other urban centers did. Additionally, a significantly higher occurrence of AFB1 (29.4%) and AFG1 (28.3%) was detected in feed from Dire Dawa city. Similarly, the total mixed ration (TMR) displayed significantly higher levels of AFB1 (50.67 ± 5.2 µg/kg), AFB2 (4.74 ± 0.6 µg/kg), AFG1 (32.87 ± 2.6 µg/kg), and AFG2 (3.86 ± 0.5 µg/kg) compared to the other feed types. Moreover, a significantly higher occurrence of AFB1 (30.7%) and AFG1 (28.7%) was detected in the TMR. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was observed between the count of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species and the levels of TAF in the feed samples. Overall, this study underscores the widespread presence of aflatoxin contamination in dairy feeds in eastern Ethiopia, highlighting the urgent need for stringent monitoring and mitigation measures to ensure food and feed safety, as well as public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeat breeder (RB) cows are clinically healthy animals with regular oestrous cycles that do not become pregnant after three or more services. This syndrome has an incidence ranging between 10.1% and 24%. Repeat breeder syndrome (RBS) in dairy cows leads to economic losses to dairy farmers by increasing the calving interval and consequently reducing milk and calf production. RBS has a complex oetiopathogenesis as many factors are involved in its onset. The causes can be grouped into two categories: causes leading to fertilisation failure and factors leading to early embryonic death. Accurate identification of the cause and early diagnosis of RBS is essential to minimise the problems that this issue brings to the farm, but is not always possible. Hypothesising the underlying aetiology of the syndrome is also crucial for targeted therapy, whether pharmacological or managerial. The aim of this review is to report the different therapies, proposed in the literature, for the treatment of RBS in cattle, based on the knowledge of possible aetiological causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. In French dairy goat systems, kids are generally separated from their mother does shortly after birth. The main drivers of this practice are related to health—especially the prevention of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) transmission—and economics. However, the separation of young ruminants from their does is being increasingly questioned by society and has raised concerns about the satisfaction of their behavioral needs. Some farmers choose to leave their female kids with their does. The aims of this study were to understand their motivations for leaving kids with their does, to describe how kids are reared in this case and how farmers perceive different aspects of the effects of this practice. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with 40 farmers who had implemented the kids-with-does practice for at least 1 yr. Compared with the national database describing the French population of dairy goat farmers, the characteristics of the interviewed farmers differed from those of the general population. They were younger and had done longer studies. Their farms were smaller, mainly with rare breeds, and milk was mainly processed on-farm under an organic certification system. They chose to implement this practice for different reasons: ethical considerations, improving integration of kids within the herd, saving time, and increasing comfort at work or improving the kids' growth, welfare, and health. The doe-kid rearing contact practices varied greatly between farms, with some kids staying with their does from a period of 45 d to never being separated; furthermore, some kids remained with their does all day, whereas others remained together part of the day or for a limited time, and daily contact evolved over time. Overall, farmers were satisfied as the benefits quoted were coherent with their motivations to implement this rearing practice. Most have decided to continue the practice, though usually with changes. However, as 40% of them had only 3 yr or less of experience of doe-kid rearing, some had not sufficient hindsight into long-term issues such as the transmission of CAEV. It is crucial to tackle challenges associated with this practice (i.e., potentially wild kids, health issues, and economic consequences stemming from a reduction in marketable milk). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of dairy cattle. It has a high impact on-farm economy, farmers' working time, and antimicrobial usage (AMU). Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) is an effective means of reducing AMU without negatively affecting udder health. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of SDCT implementation on farmer income, working time, and AMU, using a bioeconomic model. A stochastic dairy simulation model (DairyHealthSim) based on a weekly model was used to simulate herd dynamics, reproduction, milk production, culling decisions, health outcomes, and the management of health events. A specific module was developed for the simulation of quarter-level IMI acquisition and elimination during the lactation and dry-off periods, and 25 different farm settings were defined to represent herds with various udder health situations. We then defined 20 scenarios of SDCT by combining both the use of different thresholds of SCC and milk bacteriology for treatment allocation and the use of internal teat sealant (ITS). All SDCT protocols had little effect on farmer income, and we identified some protocols with a positive farm gross margin (up to Can$15.83/dried cow; at time of writing, Can$1 = US$0.72). We also found that adding an ITS to all cows led to greater economic gain. The application of SDCT had little effect on farmers' working time, except when milk bacteriology was used for decision making. Antimicrobial treatment to all cows above 200,000 cells/mL at last control, with the use of ITS on all cows, seems a good choice in most dairy farms. These findings could be used to convince farmers to adopt this strategy at dry-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety remains a critical concern globally, particularly in the dairy industry of developing countries, where quality standards are often insufficient. This is attributed to low milk production, poor milk handling practices and domination of the sub-sector by informal and unregulated milk marketing channels. An improvement in the quality of the milk produced is necessary to alleviate concerns about food safety and health. This study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select a sample of 282 dairy farmers in Meru County, Kenya. Relevant data was collected on identified variables using a structured questionnaire, and a Poisson Regression Model was used to determine the role of producer organizations in promoting farm-level implementation of milk hygiene strategies. The results indicate that producer organization membership has a positive and significant influence on the extent of farm-level implementation of milk hygiene strategies. The findings of this study provide relevant information for policy formulation aimed at improving the performance of producer organizations and the growth of the dairy industry. Therefore, dairy farmers experiencing technical difficulties should be identified and incentivized to actively participate in producer organizations, so as to increase their access to relevant extension services such as training in milk hygiene strategies, which would enhance their implementation of milk hygiene strategies at the farm-level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is a key driver of productivity growth. This paper proposes a novel methodology in order to explore the impact of farm-level innovations on farm productivity and its components (i.e. technology, efficiency and scale) using representative data from Irish dairy farms. We measure innovation by an index based on employed production practices, continuous innovation activity and knowledge weighted by expert opinions. The results suggest that more innovative Irish dairy farmers are more productive. Specifically, all farmers improve their production technology and efficiency through their use of innovations, but farmers at specific levels of innovativeness may experience a decrease in productivity due to the small scale at which they operate. This indicates that innovation has a non-linear effect on productivity. We discuss the policy implications for reducing the unequal gains of innovation across farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a multidisciplinary One Health approach, which necessitates buy-in from all stakeholders. In Aotearoa New Zealand, where the dairy industry is one of the largest users of antimicrobials, there are ongoing efforts to optimise antimicrobial usage (AMU) to minimise the development of AMR. These include regulations around the veterinary authorisation of the use of antibiotics by farmers without the need for a specific prescription (“the RVM process”) and programmes such as the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s antibiotic ‘Traffic Light System’. The goal of this pilot survey was to develop and trial a questionnaire to determine how much Aotearoa dairy farmers understand about One Health, AMR, the RVM process and how their actions regarding AMU affect the wider environment. Methods A 55-question semi-structured questionnaire was piloted on 15 dairy farms in the Lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand via an in-person semi-structured interview between September and November 2021. Results None of the interviewed farmers could define the term One Health. However, the majority found the RVM process to be of use on their farm, although admitted they generally felt frustration regarding AMR, seeing it as a blockage to productivity, and lacked awareness regarding how their actions were related to its development. Of the farmers interviewed over half had not heard of the traffic light system, and of those who had, one admitted they refused to adhere to it. Conclusions This survey’s novel findings have highlighted that there are notable gaps within dairy farmer understanding of AMU, AMR and One Health as well as highlighting that veterinarians could do more to keep their clients informed of their important role within One Health. There is still a lot more work to do with regards to vets, farmers and industry representatives working together to embrace One Health. Simple solutions would be to encourage farmers returning unused drugs to their veterinarians for correct disposal and to actively engage farmers further regarding AMU and AMR, so that these end-product users do not feel disconnected from the process.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial use (AMU) data are essential to monitor the effect of AMU reduction strategies in animal health. The use of technology and herd recording software to record AMU will be vital to scale the collation of these data in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the barriers and facilitators to Irish dairy farmers recording their AMU using a herd recording software and sharing AMU data. Thirty-three Irish dairy farmers involved in a study on AMU monitoring were asked to record their AMU using a herd recording software over a 12-mo period. At the end of the 12-mo period, 10 of these farmers were selected to take part in semi-structured interviews exploring their opinions on recording AMU, the use of herd recording software, and sharing AMU data. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Several barriers and facilitators to farmers recording their AMU using a herd recording software and sharing AMU data were identified. Barriers included the age and generation of the farmer, farm infrastructure, a lack of training and education, a lack of knowledge around the benefits of digital data, a lack of incentive to digitize records, and a fear of repercussions. Facilitators identified by the farmers included the benefits of having instantly available data for making herd management decisions, reduced paperwork, increased organization for inspections, and a potential positive effect on the image of the dairy industry. To increase the uptake of new technology to record AMU at farm-level, farmers will need support in terms of education and training around the software available to them and reassurance around the perceived risks of repercussions with sharing data in a digital format.

Some New Zealand dairy farmers are using semen from Norwegian Red (NR) bulls to explore the performance of this breed under local grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the first lactation performance of first cross NR cattle with traditional New Zealand breeds. Data were collected from six dairy farms in Southland, New Zealand, during 2022–2023 milk production seasons. Data were collected from 1178 first lactation cows including herd test of daily yields of milk, fat and protein and somatic cell counts, and persistency. Breeds included 386 NR cross (NRX), 231 Holstein Friesian (F), 84 Holstein Friesian cross (FX), 134 Holstein Friesian x Jersey (FJ) and 58 Jersey cross (JX) cows. Findings indicate F cows produced the greatest cumulative milk yield (3,744 kg), 138.6 kg more than NRX cows. There were no significant differences among the breed groups for milk yield and milk solids yield persistency and SCS (SCS = Log2 SCC). The total lactation milk yield of NRX cows was lower than that of the other breeds, excluding JX. These results pertain specifically to first lactation cows; therefore, it is necessary to undertake further analysis to evaluate the long-term productivity and longevity of NR breeds under New Zealand conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is scope for improving the sustainability of intensive dairy farms through the uptake of sustainable production practices such as more grass‐based feeding systems. Such feeding systems can reduce feed‐food competition and the environmental impacts of feed production, among other farm‐level and societal benefits. However, empirical research on how farmers' feed choices mis(align) with sustainability transitions and the associated drivers is limited. This paper explores the trade‐offs that farmers make between the environmental, social and economic sustainability impacts of grass‐based feeding systems based on data from Swedish dairy farmers. Using an identity‐based utility framework and a hybrid latent class model, we find substantial heterogeneity in dairy farmers' trade‐offs between feed‐related sustainability attributes: greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, animal welfare, feed self‐sufficiency, feed cost and milk yield. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that farmers who are strongly interested in the environmental and social sustainability impacts of their dairy feeding systems, beyond economic gains, are motivated mainly by their pro‐environmental and pro‐social identities. Overall, our findings imply that identity‐enhancing interventions are promising policy instruments for encouraging the uptake of more grass‐based feeding systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor health conditions of livestock cause sizeable losses for many farmers in the Global South. Veterinary services, including vaccinations, could help but often fail to reach farmers under typical smallholder conditions. Here, we examine how the provision of a vaccine against East Coast Fever (ECF)—a tick‐borne disease affecting cattle in Africa—can be designed to reduce typical adoption barriers. Using data from a choice experiment with dairy farmers in Kenya, we evaluate farmers' preferences and willingness to pay for various institutional innovations in vaccine delivery, such as a stronger role of dairy cooperatives, new payment modalities with a check‐off system, vaccination at farmers' homestead, and bundling vaccinations with discounts for livestock insurance. Our data reveal that farmers' awareness of the ECF vaccine is limited and adoption rates are low, largely due to institutional constraints. Results from mixed logit and latent class models suggest that suitable institutional innovations—tailored to farmers' heterogeneous conditions—could significantly increase adoption. This general finding likely also holds for other veterinary technologies and services in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rearing of young stock in tropical countries is considered a substantial investment for dairy farmers due to non-productivity and the higher risk of mortality in the first 2 to 3 years of youngstock life. ICalculating the rearing costs of young calves, especially on non-commercial farms, is challenging due to incomplete farm records. This study, which was conducted at Keningau, Sabah, East Malaysia, estimated the costs of rearing dairy young stock from birth to the first calving age, taking into account uncertainty regarding young stock mortality. A stochastic bioeconomic model was developed at the animal level to calculate the cost of young stock rearing. Our results revealed that the average total costs of rearing dairy young stock from birth to the first calving age for non-commercial and commercial farms were €1,689 and €1,645, with average mortality costs of €15 (0.88%) and €13 (0.79%), respectively. The first calving age of dairy young stock were 32.1 months (442.87 kg) and 24 months (585 kg) in non-commercial and commercial farms, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that a 2% decrease in mortality rate reduced rearing costs by €7 for non-commercial farms and €5 for commercial farms. In conclusion, non-commercial (smallscale) dairy farmers should pay more attention to the control and prevention of diseases to reduce mortality, as higher mortality rates have greater cost implications for smaller herds without proper health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Clinical mastitis (CM) treatment decision-making is a multifaceted process that remains relatively understudied, despite CM being one of the most prevalent diseases on dairy farms worldwide, contributing greatly to the use of antimicrobials in the dairy industry. This study aimed to gain insights into decision-making mechanisms employed by dairy farmers in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, when dealing with CM. Methods: Interviews were held with 15 dairy farmers in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to develop both the decision-pathway and overarching themes influencing the CM decisions by farmers in this region. Results and discussion: The analysis generated a decision-making process that begins with identification and classification of CM, guided by visual characteristics of milk and the udder, available milk production and quality data, presence of systemic signs, and additional diagnostics. Subsequently, CM cases are assessed based on the likelihood of cure, value of the cow, and herd goals to decide whether antimicrobial treatment is desired. Next, a treatment choice is made by evaluating severity and urgency of the case, availability of drugs and timing of the case. Finally, definition of treatment success and progression over time following the treatment decision guides the termination of treatment. Three overarching themes were generated that shape the decision-making process: 'Personal attributes', including personal approach and experiential knowledge; 'Inter-actor dynamics', such as shared decision-making and dynamics among producers, veterinarians, and milkers; and 'Moving beyond protocols', which highlights the dynamic nature of mastitis decision-making. These insights have the potential to inform the development of effective interventions to improve CM antimicrobial use that align with the reality of farming operations within Western Canada, and potentially beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. For successful development and adoption of technology on dairy farms, farmers need to be included in the innovation process. However, the design of agricultural technologies usually takes a top-down approach with little involvement of end-users at the early stages. Living Labs offer a methodology that involve end-users throughout the development process and emphasize the importance of understanding users' needs. Currently, exploration of dairy farmers' technology needs has been limited to specific types of technology (e.g., smartphone apps) and adult cattle. The aim of this study was to use a Living Lab approach to identify dairy farmers' data and technology needs to improve herd health and inform innovation development. We conducted 18 focus groups with a total of 80 dairy farmers from Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Data were analyzed using Template Analysis, and 6 themes were generated representing the fundamental needs of autonomy, comfort, competence, community and relatedness, purpose, and security. Farmers favored technologies that provided them with convenience, facilitated their knowledge and understanding of problems on farm, and allowed them to be self-reliant. Issues with data sharing and accessibility and usability of software were barriers to technology use. Furthermore, farmers were facing problems around recruitment and management of labor and needed ways to reduce stress. Controlling aspects of the barn environment, such as air quality, hygiene, and stocking density, were particular concerns in relation to youngstock management. Overall, the findings suggest that developers of farm technologies may want to include farmers in the design process to ensure a positive user experience and improve accessibility. The needs identified in this study can be used as a framework when designing farm technologies to strengthen need satisfaction and reduce any potential harm toward needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the uptake of education and training by Irish dairy farmers and how they perceive their training needs to be evolving as their farm business grows and they become employers. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative survey was conducted with 315 dairy farmers, who were randomly selected based on herd size and location to be representative of dairy farmers in Ireland. Findings: The results demonstrate the number of people working on the farm influence farmers' educational and training requirements. The results of this study show the need for specific human resource management advice and training for dairy farm employers. Practical implications: This study provides an understanding about the type of education or advice farmers need when transitioning into larger-scale businesses, which require more hired labour. Theoretical implications: This paper demonstrates that dairy farmers' experiences of education and training is dependent on where individuals are within their transitional experience, highlighting the importance of change management research in terms of life-long learning. Originality/value: Uniquely this study provides an understanding of how dairy farmers' education and training needs are evolving as their businesses develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a multidisciplinary One Health approach, which necessitates buy-in from all stakeholders. In Aotearoa New Zealand, where the dairy industry is one of the largest users of antimicrobials, there are ongoing efforts to optimise antimicrobial usage (AMU) to minimise the development of AMR. These include regulations around the veterinary authorisation of the use of antibiotics by farmers without the need for a specific prescription ("the RVM process") and programmes such as the New Zealand Veterinary Association's antibiotic 'Traffic Light System'. The goal of this pilot survey was to develop and trial a questionnaire to determine how much Aotearoa dairy farmers understand about One Health, AMR, the RVM process and how their actions regarding AMU affect the wider environment. Methods: A 55-question semi-structured questionnaire was piloted on 15 dairy farms in the Lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand via an in-person semi-structured interview between September and November 2021. Results: None of the interviewed farmers could define the term One Health. However, the majority found the RVM process to be of use on their farm, although admitted they generally felt frustration regarding AMR, seeing it as a blockage to productivity, and lacked awareness regarding how their actions were related to its development. Of the farmers interviewed over half had not heard of the traffic light system, and of those who had, one admitted they refused to adhere to it. Conclusions: This survey's novel findings have highlighted that there are notable gaps within dairy farmer understanding of AMU, AMR and One Health as well as highlighting that veterinarians could do more to keep their clients informed of their important role within One Health. There is still a lot more work to do with regards to vets, farmers and industry representatives working together to embrace One Health. Simple solutions would be to encourage farmers returning unused drugs to their veterinarians for correct disposal and to actively engage farmers further regarding AMU and AMR, so that these end-product users do not feel disconnected from the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of dairy farmers plan to implement cow-calf contact (CCC) in their herd which necessitates descriptions of the cows' performance in different systems. The aim of the study was to describe (1) Automatic milking system (AMS) milk yield of cows in a CCC system during the first 100 days in milk (DIM) and (2) AMS milk yield before and after cow-calf separation. In a prospective study at a commercial Norwegian dairy farm, we included all calvings from Norwegian Red cows between January 2019 to April 2020. After calving, cow-calf pairs stayed in an individual calving pen during the first 5–6 d before they were moved to the loose housing unit with the remaining herd. Calves had whole-day (24 h/d) and full physical contact to the cows. Cows were milked in an AMS. From 14 individual cows of which one cow calved twice during the study period, we collected daily AMS yields from 15 different lactations, with parities ranging from 1 (n = 6), 2 (n = 5) and 3 (n = 4). Due to the sample size and structure of the data set, we only calculated descriptive statistics from DIM 7-100. All data is shown separately for primiparous and multiparous cows. Mean (± SD) calf age at (fence-line) separation was 52 d ± 14.8 beyond which suckling was prevented. Our data indicates great individual variation in the AMS milk yield. Prior to separation, primiparous cows' AMS yields ranged from 11.0 to 25.9 kg/d while that of multiparous cows ranged from 4.8 to 28.8 kg/d. Once calves were no longer allowed to suckle, the yield increased gradually. During the week after separation, AMS yields ranged from 17.3 to 30.4 kg/d for primiparous cows and 8.7 to 41.8 kg/d for multiparous cows and these yields increased in DIM 93–100 (26.5 to 34.3 and 20.6 to 38.3 kg/d respectively). This study is limited by a low sample size from a single-herd but may provide useful descriptions of AMS milk yield in a whole-day, full contact CCC system during the first 100 days of lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the financial growth and technical efficiency of selected dairy cooperatives in India from 2013-14 to 2021-22, utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) methodologies. The Indian dairy sector has witnessed significant growth, with cooperatives playing a vital role in supporting small-scale farmers through collective ownership and equitable profit-sharing. The analysis highlights marked disparities in performance across different geographical zones, revealing that while some cooperative dairies, such as Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Sabar, have maintained high levels of technical efficiency (TE) over the years, while others, like Indore and Amritsar, face challenges in operational performance but have room for improvement. The results highlight the essential role of cooperative models in empowering small-scale farmers and improving rural livelihoods, especially in areas with robust cooperative infrastructures such as Gujarat and Karnataka. Similarly, the impressive CAGR of cooperatives in the northern and western regions, respectively, indicates effective operational strategies and investment in infrastructure. Nonetheless, challenges remain, particularly in the East, where cooperatives are underdeveloped and less efficient. Therefore, focused investments and supportive policies are vital to strengthening these cooperatives, helping them stay competitive and foster growth in the Indian dairy sector. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing cooperative structures and infrastructure, particularly in underperforming regions, to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global dairy market. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and cooperative managers aiming to optimize their operations and reinforce India's leadership in the global dairy market while ensuring sustainable growth and strengthening the socio-economic conditions of millions of rural dairy farmers in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy sector is of great relevance for the rural economy in countries like Colombia, but at the same time it faces great challenges related to international trade dynamics. To seek to strengthen the production link in the chain, various rural extension programs have emerged for this purpose. However, within the framework of dairy farmer social learning, challenges still remain related to the best ways to promote learning. Therefore, in this study we asked ourselves if interactions directly between two dairy producer organizations could have positive influences on people. Therefore, this study aims to carry out a qualitative evaluation of learning perceptions among milk producers in the Department of Caldas, based on territorial guided tours with a focus on interaction between producer organizations in the sector. In this sense, 10 dairy producer organizations were taken who were in search of strengthening, and guided tours were carried out to other rural territories with five outstanding dairy organizations recognized for their capabilities and innovations. After that, 81 interviews were carried out with volunteer producers from all the visiting associations. The evaluation of learning perceptions after the guided tours with associations that are recognized in other territories had a positive influence on the producers. The greatest thematic learning interest focused on the associative and organizational issues of the visited reference, followed by technological aspects used at the level of the milk producing farm, and finally the role of the family in the context of production. Furthermore, the issues related to collection, transformation and marketing were the least relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the total financial (direct and indirect) and avoidable losses related to lameness in Turkish dairy herds. Official and previous published data were used for determining the mean (12.9%) and target prevalence (6.6%) values. Direct financial losses due to lameness were calculated as treatment costs, involuntary culling, and milk yield losses. Indirect losses consisted of extended calving intervals and extra insemination losses. As a result, the average financial loss of lameness per case on dairy farms was $153.8 ($116.8 for mild and $264.7 for severe forms) in Türkiye. Avoidable losses ($75.1) were calculated to be equivalent to 187 liters of cow's milk with current prices for the 2023 year. The share of direct and indirect financial losses was 49.6% and 50.4%, respectively. Total annual losses related to lameness in Türkiye are calculated at $130.5 million (326 million Lt. milk eq.), although $63.7 million (159 million Lt. milk eq.) of the losses could be avoided by farmers. The milk equivalent of avoidable losses corresponds to 0.77% of Türkiye's total annual milk production. In conclusion, lameness causes significant financial losses in Turkish dairy herds. However, almost half of these losses (48.8%) may be avoidable with better management practices which help to increase the productivity and profitability of dairy farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]