Source: UNIV OF CALIFORNIA (VET-MED) submitted to NRP
EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACHES TO IMPROVE FOOD AND FIBER ANIMAL AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
ANIMAL HEALTH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0203444
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2004
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2009
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF CALIFORNIA (VET-MED)
(N/A)
DAVIS,CA 95616
Performing Department
POPULATION HEALTH AND REPRODUCTION
Non Technical Summary
The management of animal production units contributes to problems associated with animal, environmental, and public health. The purpose of these studies is to evaluate on-farm interventions that contribute to improving animal, environmental and public health and enhance producer profitability.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3073410110025%
3073410117025%
7123410110025%
7123410117025%
Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins; 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1100 - Bacteriology; 1170 - Epidemiology;
Goals / Objectives
One: Define on-farm dynamics of food borne pathogens with an emphasis on Salmonella and E. coli and antibiotic resistant phenotypes. A particular emphasis is to establish the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Salmonella and E. coli on dairy production units, their interaction with the dairy host population, the relationship of the endemic dairy bacteria with human source bacteria, and control points to reduce the on-farm prevalence of significant Salmonella. Two: Evaluate the economics of systems designed to minimize the use of antibiotics and decrease the occurrence of food borne pathogens. The focus of these studies will be on calf (beef, dairy, veal) and dairy production. Of interest is to evaluate nutrition and initial assessments of newly arrived animals as possible interventions. Three: Evaluate the impact and utility of new technologies, e.g. oral antibody supplementation, colostrum supplements, mechanization, biological screening, novel feed supplements, and computer-assisted decision making on intensive and extensive management systems and the markets they serve. Four: Describe the ecology of dairy waste systems (lagoons and manure packs) on the selection and maintenance of food borne pathogens. Five: Evaluate modalities and needs for training of veterinarians and producers to understand the implications of new management systems and the public policy that endorses them.
Project Methods
One: The initial focus of the studies is on clinical and non-clinical isolates of Salmonella and E. coli and their response to therapy. Genetic studies will focus on specific virulent and resistance genes on the virulence plasmid. The phenotypic studies will center on carbohydrate metabolism and antibiotic susceptibility. The complex of these attributes and isolate source will be modeled using clustering methods to develop familial relationships and compare between therapy groups. The second phase is to describe the relationship of Salmonella and E. coli clusters to the animal host and age dependency of the clusters. The third phase will describe the relationship between bovine and human isolates of Salmonella. The objective is to describe distances between isolates based on genetic and phenotypic attributes. The final phase is based upon on-farm studies focused on critical populations of Salmonella with human relevance. These studies will incorporate epidemiologic studies of risk for the presence of these pathogens on the dairy, identifying reservoirs for the bacteria, and identifying environmental survival of the pathogens. Two: The initial focus of these studies will be on calf production (beef, dairy, veal). The primary interest is to evaluate nutrition and initial assessments of newly arrived animals as interventions to increase the value of product, reduce the use of antibiotics, and decrease the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. A series of clinical trials will be established on demonstration farms to evaluate interventions with the outcomes being costs and benefits on health and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in commensal bacteria. Three: These studies focus on calf and dairy production. A case control approach contrasting herds with organic or high quality markets compared with herds with conventional markets will be designed. The focus is to evaluate the impact and utility of new technologies on competitiveness and acceptability of the technologies to the markets they serve. Four: The first phase of these studies will evaluate the bacterial ecology of dairy lagoon systems. A cross-sectional study of herds will be conducted to assess the variability of lagoon designs, the functional aspects of water movement, the management of lagoon systems. The objective is to describe the attributes of lagoons on the prevalence of bacterial animal and public health pathogens. The second phase is to evaluate airborne transport of bacterial pathogens within and between dariy farms. A cross-sectional study of dairy farms will be conducted to assess the amount and dynamics of air-borne transport of bacteria. Five: The initial phase of this research is to evaluate the needs and skills required for veterinarians to address changing agricultural systems and policy. The approach is through an internet/mail survey of graduates from veterinary school and associated programs. The outcomes to be evaluated include understanding of policy changes, the significance of non-traditional veterinary skills to their practice, and the need for educational programs to address possible needs.

Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Dr. Sischo has left the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. All of his projects have been terminated. PARTICIPANTS: No Participant information reported. TARGET AUDIENCES: No Target Audiences information reported. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No Project Modifications information reported.

Impacts
Dr. Sischo has left the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. All of his projects have been terminated.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
The project has five objectives One: Define on-farm dynamics of food borne pathogens with an emphasis on Salmonella and E. coli and antibiotic resistant phenotypes. A particular emphasis is to establish the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Salmonella and E. coli on dairy production units, their interaction with the dairy host population, the relationship of the endemic dairy bacteria with human source bacteria, and control points to reduce the on-farm prevalence of significant Salmonella. We evaluated the influent from two waste water treatment plants in California for the presence of Salmonella. In both plants, Salmonella was common. The serovars in a dairy intense region were more similar to dairy isolates than in a region with primarily crops. In another study, the variability of human and cattle Salmonella Typhimurium was evaluated. In total, the isolates exhibited a degree of variability (based on several classificatin methods). When compared only on the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid profiles, dairy cattle and human clinical isolates were similar. Two: Evaluate the economics of systems designed to minimize the use of antibiotics and decrease the occurrence of food borne pathogens. The focus of these studies will be on calf (beef, dairy, veal) and dairy production. Of interest is to evaluate nutrition and initial assessments of newly arrived animals as possible interventions. No progress on this objective. Three: Evaluate the impact and utility of new technologies, e.g. oral antibody supplementation, colostrum supplements, mechanization, biological screening, novel feed supplements, and computer-assisted decision making on intensive and extensive management systems and the markets they serve. Four: Describe the ecology of dairy waste systems (lagoons and manure packs) on the selection and maintenance of food borne pathogens. Five: Evaluate modalities and needs for training of veterinarians and producers to understand the implications of new management systems and the public policy that endorses them. Our group worked on policy papers describing the data needs for monitoring antimicrobial resistance. For dairy the data needs are minimal and more effort should be placed on developing interventions to change disease rates. We also evaluated the development of population health programs in the U.S. In the last five years there has been a rapid increase in the number of training programs for animal health professionals but the sustainability of these programs is uncertain. Several projects to better understand dairy management and their impacts on health were completed. In a clinial trial cows on concrete had greater odds of developing or exacerbating existing heel erosion than cows on rubber flooring. Regardless of the flooring surface, the lateral claw was more likely to develop lesions than the medial claw. Odds of becoming lame by the third examination and the proportion of cows requiring therapeutic hoof trimming because of lameness were greater for concrete-exposed cows than those on rubber.

Impacts
We continue to evaluate strategies that will improve animal and public health and provide insights into alternative management strategies.

Publications

  • Galvao, K.N., Santos, J.E.P., Coscioni, A.C., Juchem, S.O., Chebel, R.C., Sischo, W.M., Villasenor, A.M. 2006 Embryos from gossypol fed donor heifers reduce pregnancy rates when transferred into lactating dairy cows treated or not with hCGA. J Dairy Sci 89:2056-2064.
  • Adaska, J.M., Silva, A.J., Berge, A.C.B., Sischo, W.M. 2006 Genetic and phenotypic variability among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates from California dairy cattle and humans. Appl Env Micro 72:6632-6637.
  • Vanegas, J., Berry, S.B., Overton, M.W., Sischo, W.M. 2006 Effect of rubber flooring on claw health of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 89:4251-4258.
  • Berge A.C.B., Dueger, E., Sischo, W.M. 2006 Comparison of Salmonella enterica serovar distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles in wastewater at municipal wastewater treatment plants in two California cities. J Appl Micro 101:1309-1316.
  • Berge A.C.B., Sischo, W.M., Craigmill, A. 2006 Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of respiratory pathogens from sheep and goats. Am. J. Vet. Med Assoc. 229:1279-1281.
  • Sischo, W.M. 2006 Stakeholder position paper: Dairy producer. Prev. Vet. Med. 73:203-208.
  • Murray, A.L., Sischo, W.M., Hueston, W.D. 2006 A survey of Veterinary public practice education programs. J. American Vet Med. Assoc 228:529-536.
  • Singer R.S., Reid-Smith, R., Sischo, W.M. 2006 Stakeholder position paper: Epidemiological perspectives on antibiotic use in animals. 2006 Prev Vet Med 73:153-161.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
This project has 5 objectives: 1. Define on-farm dynamics of food borne pathogens with an emphasis on Salmonella and E. coli and antibiotic resistant phenotypes. 2. Evaluate the economics of systems designed to minimize the use of antibiotics and decrease the occurrence of food borne pathogens. 3. Evaluate the impact and utility of new technologies, e.g. oral antibody supplementation, colostrum supplements, mechanization, biological screening, novel feed supplements, and computer-assisted decision making on intensive and extensive management systems and the markets they serve. 4. Describe the ecology of dairy waste systems (lagoons and manure packs) on the selection and maintenance of food borne pathogens. 5. Evaluate modalities and needs for training of veterinarians and producers to understand the implications of new management systems and the public policy that endorses them. We made progress on objectives 3 and 5. As part of an evaluation of a yeast product to improve weight gains and health in dairy calves, we evaluated their effect on antimicrobial resistance of fecal E. coli. While the feed supplement had positive effects on gain it had no impact on antimicrobial resistance patterns in commensal fecal E. coli. A records evaluation of AI breeding vs. bull breeding on California dairy farms suggested that bull breeding was not as effective as AI at producing pregnant cows. The common practice of 2-3 AI breedings is a less effective strategy than a more aggressive AI program.

Impacts
We continue to evaluate strategies that will improve animal and public health and provide insights into alternative management strategies.

Publications

  • Overton M.W. and W.M. Sischo. 2005. Comparison of Reproductive Performance by Artificial Insemination versus Natural Service Sires in California Dairies. Theriogenology 64:603-613.
  • Galvao, K., J.E.P. Santos, A. Coscioni, M. Villasenor, W.M. Sischo, A.C.B. Berge. 2005. Effect of Feeding Live Yeast Products to Calves with Failure of Passive Transfer on Performance and Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance in fecal Escherichia coli. Repro. Nutrition Develop.