Papers by Silvia Ivemeyer
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bunde... more Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages im Rahmen des Bundesprogramms Ökologischer Landbau und andere Formen nachhaltiger Landwirtschaft
Local and commercial dairy breeds on organic farms in AT, CH, SE, PL and DE were compared with re... more Local and commercial dairy breeds on organic farms in AT, CH, SE, PL and DE were compared with regard to health associated traits, fertility and production traits. In DE under relatively extensive farm conditions, the local breed Original Red Angler cattle showed comparable production and health levels compared to Holstein cows, and can therefore be recommended for low input conditions.
Animals, 2022
The affective state is an integrated aspect of farm animal welfare, which is understood as the an... more The affective state is an integrated aspect of farm animal welfare, which is understood as the animals’ perception of their living environment and of their internal biological functioning. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore animal-internal and external factors potentially influencing dairy cows’ affective state. For this purpose, qualitative behavior assessments (QBA) describing the animals’ body language were applied at herd level on 25 dairy farms. By means of principal component analysis (PCA), scores of PC1 (QBAscores) were determined for further analyses. From monthly milk recordings (MR) one year retrospectively, prevalences of udder and metabolic health impairments were calculated. Factors of housing, management, and human-animal contact were recorded via interviews and observations. A multivariable regression was calculated following a univariable preselection of factors. No associations were found between MR indicators and QBAscores. However, more positive...
Die illustrierte und fur den Gebrauch im Stall laminierte Anleitung fuhrt Schritt fur Schritt dur... more Die illustrierte und fur den Gebrauch im Stall laminierte Anleitung fuhrt Schritt fur Schritt durch die Korper-Konditions-Beurteilung der Milchkuh (englisch: Body Condition Scoring, BCS; nach WILDMAN et al., 1982 und FERGUSON et al., 1994). Mit der einfachen und schnellen Methode werden die Energiereserven der Milchkuh durch Ansicht und Ertasten der Korperfettauflagen an bestimmten Korperregionen geschatzt. Die Methode ist ein gutes Hilfsmittel fur die Beurteilung der Futterung auf Einzeltier- und auf Herdenebene.
Der KTBL-Praktikerleitfaden „Tierschutzindikatoren – Rind“ ist eine Arbeitsunterlage für Halter v... more Der KTBL-Praktikerleitfaden „Tierschutzindikatoren – Rind“ ist eine Arbeitsunterlage für Halter von Milchkühen, Aufzuchtkälbern oder Mastrindern. Der Leitfaden ist mit stabiler Spiralbindung und abwaschbaren Seiten stalltauglich ausgeführt und liefert dem Tierhalter eine Anleitung, wie eine Überprüfung der Tiergerechtheit nach aktuellem wissenschaftlichen Stand praktikabel und fachgerecht durchgeführt werden kann. Ein Ablaufschema für jede Produktionsrichtung zeigt, welche Indikatoren wann und an welchen Tieren, z. B. an einer genau beschriebenen Stichprobe, erhoben werden sollten. Der Steckbrief zu jedem Indikator enthält dann eine kurze fachliche Hinführung, eine Foto-Klassifikationstabelle bzw. Rechenformel, sowie weitere Hinweise zu Erhebung.
Die lokale Rasse Anglerrind alter Zuchtrichtung (AAZ) wurde in Bezug auf Gesundheit, Fruchtbarkei... more Die lokale Rasse Anglerrind alter Zuchtrichtung (AAZ) wurde in Bezug auf Gesundheit, Fruchtbarkeit und Leistung mit der weitverbreiteten Rasse Holstein (HO) verglichen. Milchleistungsprufungsdaten vom 1.7.2011 bis 30.6.2015 wurden von 340 AAZ-Kuhe auf sieben Biobetrieben mit einer Kontrollgruppe von 690 HO-Kuhen auf 13 Betrieben verglichen. Die HO-Betriebe wiesen ein vergleichbar extensives Management auf wie die AAZ-Betriebe, um Umwelteffekte zu minimieren. Der Gesundheits- und Fruchtbarkeitsstatus war fur AAZ- und HO-Kuhe auf einem ahnlichen Niveau, jedoch zeigten AAZ-Kuhe ein geringeres Risiko fur subklinische Azidose, hatten tendenziell weniger Euterbehandlungen und wiesen tendenziell eine geringere Gustzeit auf. Die Milchleistung der AAZ-Kuhe war nur tendenziell niedriger als bei den HO-Kuhen. Der Fett- und Eiweisgehalt war bei den AAZ-Kuhen signifikant hoher als bei den HO-Kuhen, allerdings nicht hinsichtlich der absoluten Mengen. Daher kann die Rasse AAZ unter den untersuchte...
Die Tiere mit vorbeugenden Massnahmen gesund erhalten: Das ist ein alter Grundsatz des Biolandbau... more Die Tiere mit vorbeugenden Massnahmen gesund erhalten: Das ist ein alter Grundsatz des Biolandbaus. Das europaische Forschungsprojekt Aniplan zeigt, dass sich der Medikamenteneinsatz beim Milchvieh senken lasst – bei gleichbleibender Gesundheit.
Der Beitrag beschreibt die Einflusse der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung, der Stressbelastung und des Manag... more Der Beitrag beschreibt die Einflusse der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung, der Stressbelastung und des Managements auf die Eutergesundheit von Milchkuhen. Eine positive Einstellung den Tieren gegenuber und ein ruhiger Umgang mit der Herde verbessern die Eutergesundheit, weniger Stress starkt das Immunsystem der Kuhe und fordert die Ausheilungschancen von Krankheiten.
Auf 30 Praxisbetrieben wurden Zusammenhange von Mensch-Tier-Beziehung, Stressbelastung, Managemen... more Auf 30 Praxisbetrieben wurden Zusammenhange von Mensch-Tier-Beziehung, Stressbelastung, Management und Haltung auf die Mastitisanfalligkeit und Selbstheilungskapazitat untersucht. Das Gesamtmuster der Zusammenhange zeigte, dass positive Einstellungen und Interaktionen mit den Tieren, die eine positive Mensch-Tier-Beziehung aufbauen und ein fruhes Wahrnehmen von Problemen ermoglichen, die Eutergesundheit von Milchkuhen positiv beeinflussen konnen.
67th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) in cooperation with the French Society of Pharmacognosy AFERP, 2019
Claw diseases and lameness constitute one of the most severe challenges in livestock production, ... more Claw diseases and lameness constitute one of the most severe challenges in livestock production, both for animal welfare and economic reasons. From 2011 to 2014 we conducted five ethnoveterinary surveys in 19 German speaking Swiss cantons, and in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino. A total of 208 interviews were carried out with 273 farmers, 1671 use reports (UR) were recorded, comprising detailed information about plant species, plant part used, the manufacturing process for the end-product, dosing, administration, and therapeutic intention. Among them, 89 UR with 22 different plant species were specifically linked to claw diseases of cattle (80), goats (6), sheep (2) and pigs(1). For seven species more than five UR were reported. We determined the concentration of dry plant material in the final product (g herb/100g product; median, minimum-maximum): Malva ssp (22 UR (21 herb, 1 flower); 0.24g/100g; 0.002-1.82), Matricaria chamomilla L. (11 UR (10 flower, 1 herb); 0.46g/100g; 0.04-2.5), Picea abies (L.) H. KARST. (10 UR (resin); 24.7g/100g; 9.9-100), Calendula officinalis L. (7 UR (flower); 0.2g/100g; 0.0003-0.82), Thymus vulgaris L. (6 UR (herb); 0.02g/100g; 0.015-0.43), Senecio ovatus (P. GAERTN., B.MEY. & SCHERB.) WILLD. (6 UR (herb); 0.37g/100g; 0.07-0.57), and Sanicula europaea L. (6 UR (herb); 0.17g/100g; 0.07-0.27). Senecio ovatus could not be recommended due to the content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Besides, insufficient pharmacological data are available for Sanicula europaea. For the remaining five species antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties are well known, and clinical data with extracts of these plants have been published before.
Animal, 2017
In response to increasing efforts for reducing concentrate inputs to organic dairy production in ... more In response to increasing efforts for reducing concentrate inputs to organic dairy production in grassland-rich areas of Europe, a long-term study was conducted, which assessed the impacts of concentrate reductions on cows’ performance, health, fertility and average herd age. In total, 42 Swiss commercial organic dairy cattle farms were monitored over 6 years (‘Y0’, 2008/09 until ‘Y5’, 2013/14). In comparison with overall data of Swiss herdbooks (including conventional and organic farms), the herds involved in the project had lower milk yields, similar milk solids, shorter calving intervals and higher average lactation numbers. During the first 3 project years farmers reduced the concentrate proportion (i.e. cereals, oilseeds and grain legumes) in the dairy cows’ diets to varying degrees. In Y0, farms fed between 0% and 6% (dietary dry matter proportion per year) of concentrates. During the course of the study they changed the quantity of concentrates to voluntarily chosen degrees. ...
Livestock Science, 2016
The use of medicinal plants and other natural multicomponent remedies might be one measure to red... more The use of medicinal plants and other natural multicomponent remedies might be one measure to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock. Ethnoveterinary research has the potential to identify promising natural remedies. The knowledge about remedies for livestock was collected from farmers in six central Swiss cantons,
Animal health and welfare planning (AHWP) is a farmerowned process of continuous improvement. The... more Animal health and welfare planning (AHWP) is a farmerowned process of continuous improvement. The aim of the ANIPLAN project was to initiate such AHWP in organic dairy herds. The research process from 2007-2010 included a strategy where assessment of current status and risks forms the basis for planning, action and review. 39 Austrian and 15 Swiss organic dairy farms were assessed using animal and resource based parameters.
Livestock Science, 2014
This intervention study investigated the effect of farm specific concentrate amounts and concentr... more This intervention study investigated the effect of farm specific concentrate amounts and concentrate feeding reduction over two years on herd health and production in 69 organic dairy herds considering further feeding management factors and herd characteristics. All farms were participating in the Swiss 'Feed no Food' project and decided for themselves the extent of the reduction they desired in concentrate feeding amounts. The average concentrate amount fed before project start was 363 kg/cow/year. The maximum amount of concentrate was 10% of the yearly dry matter intake, according to the Swiss organic 'Bio Suisse' standards. Health and production data were calculated at farm level from milk recording data. Somatic cell score (SCS) and calving interval (CI) were used as indicators for udder health and fertility, respectively. Medicine use was assessed as the total number of veterinary treatments (TM) generated from obligatory farm records. Milk recording data and treatment data were collected retrospectively for a one-year period before and during the two year project period. Concentrate amounts, feeding management factors, and herd characteristics were assessed by questionnaires. The intervention was performed as an advising process regarding feeding and herd health during quarterly farm visits and regular contacts with the farmers after receiving new milk recording data. General linear models for repeated measurements were used to analyse the development at farm level. A significant reduction in concentrate feeding, to an average concentrate amount of 276 kg/cow/year, was achieved within the project period. Milk yield and TM incidences were higher and CIs were longer if more concentrates were fed in general, but these parameters were not related to a reduction in concentrate feeding within the project years. The total amount and the reduction in concentrate feeding within the project showed no association with SCS. Within breeds, Holstein Friesians had the highest milk yield, and Swiss Brown Cattle had the highest incidences of TM compared to the other breeds. Larger herds showed higher SCSs and lower CIs. Herds with mostly or entirely bought-in replacement heifers had higher SCS. Herds with more own replacement heifers Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of dairy science, 2011
In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of human-animal interactions and manageme... more In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of human-animal interactions and management factors on udder health in 46 Swiss dairy herds living in loose-housing systems on farms that participated in the Swiss dairy farm network "pro-Q." The human-animal relationship was measured by observing milkers' behavior, cows' behavior during milking, and cows' avoidance distance in the barn. Management factors were assessed by questionnaire-guided interviews and observations. Udder health was evaluated using indicators that were calculated from milk recording data over a period of 1 yr before assessment: (1) average somatic cell scores (SCS) per herd and (2) incidence of new infections per herd (NEWINF); and indicators that were calculated from quarter milk samples of all lactating cows at the time of assessment: (3) prevalence of quarters with elevated somatic cell counts (>100,000 cells/mL; %Q>100) and (4) prevalence of mastitis quarters (>100,000 c...
Udder Health and Communication, 2011
Abstract To improve the sustainability of dairy production it is essential to establish practices... more Abstract To improve the sustainability of dairy production it is essential to establish practices that reduce medicine use whilst safeguarding or improving herd health and productivity. Aiming at minimising medicine use through animal health and welfare planning (AHWP), ...
The Open Veterinary Science Journal, 2011
Continuous development is needed within the farm to reach the goal of good animal health and welf... more Continuous development is needed within the farm to reach the goal of good animal health and welfare in organic livestock farming. The very different conditions between countries call for models that are relevant for different farming types and can be integrated into local practice and be relevant for each type of farming context. This article reviews frameworks, principles and practices for animal health and welfare planning which are relevant for organic livestock farming. This review is based on preliminary analyses carried out within a European project (acronym ANIPLAN) with participants from seven countries. The process begins with gathering knowledge about the current status within a given herd as background for making decisions and planning future improvements as well as evaluating already implemented improvements. Respectful communication between the owner of the herd and other farmers as well as animal health and welfare professionals (veterinarians and advisors) is paramount. This paper provides an overview of some current animal health and welfare planning initiatives and explains the principles of animal health and welfare planning which are being implemented in ANIPLAN partner countries, in collaboration with groups of organic farmers and organisations.
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Papers by Silvia Ivemeyer