Zielgerichteter Einsatz von Antibiotika in der Eutergesundheit von Biobetrieben - Integration von tiergesundheitlichen Erfordernissen und Biorichtlinien

Summary

The effect of dry cow recommendations on udder health of cows after calving is investigated in 10 conventional Bavarian dairy farms. Information is based on monthly somatic cell count (SCC) measurements during the last 3 months and the result of quarter milk sample bacteriology and SCC (bovicare laboratory). An udder phase was calculated for every individual cow which could be “GREEN” (normal), “YELLOW” and “ORANGE” (mostly infected cows) or “RED” (mostly cows with low cure risk). Within 7 months, 219 cows had complete data to assess the effect of dry cow means (such as antibiotic treatment, teat sealing or no therapy) on SCC after calving. Farmers followed the recommendations in 80 % of the cases. Use of non-antibiotic therapies were recommended in 53% and applied in 43% of the cases. Effects depended on udder phase prior to drying off. Proportions of “unsuspicious cows” (SCC <100k/ml) were 66%, 60% and 48% for GREEN, YELLOW and ORANGE/RED cows, respectively. Targeted dry cow therapy with antibiotics was successful compared to use of antibiotics against recommendations in cows with phases beyond GREEN. The concept of an information based udder health management connects individual cow data as a basis for adequate therapy recommendations in accordance to organic regulations.