Stakeholders' perceptions of the challenges to improving calf health and reducing antimicrobial use in Swiss veal productionTo find effective intervention strategies to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal production an insight into the individual contexts of supply chain actors is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate key issues and challenges related to calf health management and AMU perceived by stakeholders of the Swiss veal production chain. By means of qualitative interviews, subjective viewpoints of 27 industry stakeholders were explored. Key issues were extracted from transcribed audio files using qualitative text analysis according to Mayring. The results indicate a high level of awareness of the need to reduce AMU and resistance-related risks among respondents. The following characteristic properties of the specialized large-scale veal production system were perceived as main reasons for poor calf health and high AMU: A disunited social framework, financial pressure and mutual dependencies among industry stakeholders, challenging practical conditions for a beneficial calf health management and farmers' attitudes in regard to AMU. However, a radical change away from the existing farming system was mostly perceived as not feasible. The findings of this study provide a social scientific basis for further research to investigate strategies to reduce AMU in Swiss veal production.
Background: We sought to determine the effectiveness of common cleaning procedures in eliminating S. aureus from silicone menstrual cups. Methods: In this in vitro study, we tested four cleaning techniques: (1) cold water; (2) cold water and liquid soap; (3) cold water followed by steeping the cup in boiled water for 5 min in a ceramic mug covered with a small plate; and (4) cold water and soap followed by steeping the cup in boiled water as in (3). Human blood was coated to the inner and outer surface of each cup, dried, and incubated with 106 S. aureus colony-forming units (CFU/mL). All tests were performed in triplicate. Viable bacterial abundance was measured with decadic dilution and drop plate or surface plating. Results: Bacteria were most effectively eliminated by cleaning cups with soap and water and then steeping in boiled water (0 CFU/cup vs. 2.075 × 108/cup no cleaning, p = 0.005). This was not statistically significantly different from washing cups with water only and steeping 5 min in boiled water (14 CFU/cup). Raised lettering on the outer surface of the menstrual cups resulted in more bacterial recovery from pieces with lettering than without lettering. Conclusions: These results advance knowledge of between-period menstrual cup cleaning recommendations, suggesting that the logistical challenges of continuous boiling may be eliminated with steeping at least 5 min.
Context Excess dairy calves in Switzerland are commonly shifted at a young age to specialised fattening farms for veal or beef production and are exposed to pathogens against which they may have insufficient immunity. Excessive administration of antibiotics to these calves contributes to the development of bacterial resistance, which is detrimental for human and animal health. Intervention strategies are needed to motivate farmers to adopt alternative methods for maintaining calf health. Aims This study was aimed at identifying individual and systemic enablers and barriers driving farmer behaviour in terms of calf health management and antibiotic use. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with veal, beef and/or dairy farmers who breed and take care of future fattening calves in the first weeks of life. Data were analysed according to key constructs. Key results Measures to enhance calf health included keeping calves on birth farms until they have developed sufficient active immunity, providing sufficient milk, drenching with colostrum, and hygiene-focused stable management practices. Dairy farmers perceived excess dairy breed calves to be a financial liability, so are reluctant to commit resources to maintaining their health. Systemic barriers to reducing antibiotic use in specialised, large-scale veal-fattening systems, including increased mortality, high costs of veterinary treatment, and low profit margins causing farmers to seek economies of scale, mean that there is little potential for significantly reducing antibiotic use within the existing system. Furthermore, unwillingness to seek herd management advice hinders the application of alternative practices for maintaining calf health with reduced antibiotic use in veal production. Conclusions The main barriers to antibiotic reduction in veal production are systemic; therefore, strategies to reduce antibiotic use should aim for a system that encourages farmers to prioritise calf health, such as implementing political and economic drivers to discourage specialisation and intensification. Such drivers could include measures to reduce the costs of veterinary services or to increase income; for example, subsidies could increase the profit potential of calves and motivate farmers to prioritise calf health. Implications A production system in which calves are managed to maintain their health with minimal antibiotic use would provide societal benefits of slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance while fulfilling farmers’ moral responsibility for the wellbeing of calves as sentient beings.
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