A survey of biosecurity measures applied on dairy cattle farms in Spain

Abstract

32Attention to biosecurity has been highlighted as the most important measure to reduce 33 and prevent the introduction of diseases to farms. There is little published information 34 about the biosecurity of dairy cattle in Spain. We therefore aimed to assess and 35 characterize the current application of biosecurity measures on dairy cattle farms in 36 Spain, and relate these to bovine viral diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. 37From July 2017 to April 2018, data on biosecurity measures for 124 dairy herds were 38 collected using a questionnaire. We also assessed the sanitary status of these farms 39 (efficacy of measures implemented against both diseases using antibody ELISA. Data 40 were analyzed descriptively, and using multiple correspondence analysis and a two-step 41 cluster analysis. Measures to prevent disease introduction were often poorly 42 implemented. Three main clusters of farms were identified: Clusters 1 and 2 included 43 herds of small and intermediate sizes, respectively. These, particularly cluster 1, showed 44 the most deficiencies in the control of vehicles and visitors. However, individual 45 purchases usually involved low numbers of animals, especially in cluster 2, and animals 46 were tested for bovine viral diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis at their places 47 of origin or on arrival at farms. Farms in clusters 1 and 2 were frequently under 48 voluntary control programs. Cluster 3 had the largest herd sizes, with somewhat better 49 biosecurity control of vehicles and visitors. However, farms in this cluster also 50 purchased the most animals, sometimes without testing, and hired external workers 51 most often. Farms in cluster 1 showed the best sanitary level, followed by clusters 2 and 52 3. Collecting data such as these is an important first step to identification of biosecurity 53 shortcomings, and to structuring of adequate follow-up to ensure that measures are 54 implemented correctly on farms in Spain. 4 55

Longitudinal Prevalence of Antibodies to Endemic Pathogens in Bulk Tank Milk Samples From Dairy Herds Engaged or Not in Contract Heifer Rearing

“…The adoption of vaccine protocols was considerably higher among farmers in this study when compared to previous Irish (16,17), UK (18), and European studies (19). Some of this difference may be due to changes in vaccine use over time in Ireland, particularly since herd expansion in 2015, and differences between countries in vaccine adoption by dairy farmers.…”

Adoption of Biosecurity Practices in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Ethiopia

“…Questionnaire Design. The questionnaire was designed based on biosecurity literature for cattle farms and publicly available biosecurity tools, including the Ghent's University biosecurity survey tool [18] and literature on cattle BSM by Sayers et al [11] in Ireland, Shortall et al [19] in the United Kingdom, Villaamil et al [20] in Spain, Sarrazin et al [7] in Belgium and Denis-Robichaud et al [21] in Canada. The internal and external BSM were chosen based on the authors' literature review [2,15,22,23], and the livestock disease risks specific to Ethiopia.…”

“…External BSM are particularly important for the prevention of disease from external sources [7,[31][32][33]. Farms purchase of animals without testing, lack of quarantine for purchased cattle, and contact with other cattle during the transport process increases the risk for disease introduction to farms [20]. The major reason for the non-adoption of external BSM in smallholder dairy farms could be due to small farm sizes and the lack of farm space to maintain a physically separated area for quarantine and isolation of purchase or sick livestock [34,35].…”

Economic analysis of biosecurity adoption in dairy farming: evidence from Ireland

“…Ireland is on the lower end with 25% of dairy farmers testing purchased cattle ( McCarthy et al, 2021a ). Similarly, between 3% ( Villaamil et al, 2020 ) and 45% ( Aleri et al, 2020 ) of dairy farmers reported quarantining their cattle in different countries; in Ireland, 79% of dairy farmers reported using quarantine ( McCarthy et al, 2021a ). The high Irish figure likely reflects postquota abolition risk aversion.…”