dry-off | OZOLEA

OZOLEA-MAST protocol for drying-off: reasons of double treatment and medium-, long-term benefits

Marketing 15 November 2023 News

Protocol M8 gives indications on the use of OZOLEA-MAST to dry off cows. Using OZOLEA-MAST at dry-off means more milk, better milk quality, improved cow’s performance, and easier management in future lactations.

OZOLEA-MAST for drying-off: why a double treatment?

Today, dairy farmers are called upon further effort to implement overall preventative strategies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Moreover, in the EU, antibiotic use at dry-off is now possible only when cows have shown mastitis and udder health issues during the current lactation. Prevention of new intra-mammary infections (IMI) through prophylaxis is no longer possible. Thus, selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) is the right approach.

One of the most frequently asked questions on OZOLEA-MAST is about the reasons why dairy farmers should use it at dry-off. OZOLEA-MAST at dry-off is the answer to the increasing requests for better management on farms and to the need of antibiotic reduction.

The exclusive technology OZOLEA uses to process raw corn germ oil to produce OZOLEA-MAST leads to modification of some of the oil’s fatty acid chains, thereby allowing the product, once in contact with the inner wall of the teat canal, to form a physical film barrier with two main functions:

to create an uncomfortable environment for bacteria and, thus, to slow down the aggressiveness of possible bacterial attacks;
to exert a self-protection for the tissue from exposure to the external environment and from bacterial attack, allowing the tissue to proceed with the natural regeneration process.

OZOLEA-MAST does not carry out pharmacological, metabolic, or immunological action, and it does not treat, cure or prevent mastitis and IMI in dairy animals.

At dry-off and during the dry period, the mammary tissue goes through a physiological process to prepare for all its future functions, including milk production and self-defense. Thus, tissue functionality and integrity are directly involved in self-defence mechanisms and production performance.

By supporting tissue functionality, OZOLEA-MAST allows the mammary tissue to proceed with the autonomous regeneration process at the last two milkings and to complete it during the dry period. Moreover, dairy cows are genetically designed to produce their natural self-defence strategy against potential IMI: the keratin plug (physical barrier to pathogens trying to enter the teat canal) and natural protective factors against infections.

OZOLEA-MAST simply puts nature against nature, with no use of active substances. Natural processes do not occur instantaneously: this is why OZOLEA-MAST needs to be applied twice at dry-off.

What OZOLEA-MAST allows farmers to achieve in the dry period is the combination of natural keratin plug, autonomous production of protective factors, udder health monitoring, and effective environmental management. This is all what the strategy against AMR is asking dairy farmers for.

OZOLEA-MAST for drying-off: what benefits?

The medium- and long term benefits are several.

The individual somatic cell count (SCC) in the future lactation will tend to maintain lower, and steadier values for at least 4 months, also depending on the last SCC before drying-off. This is the outcome of a field study conducted in 2017 on 30 cows dried off with OZOLEA-MAST (Group O, Figure 1) and compared with other 30 cows that were dried off through a blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT) (Group A, Figure 1). All cows were suitable for SDCT, and the last SCC measured before drying-off was <400,000 cells/ml.
OZOLEA observed a carry-over effect from the time of drying-off throughout the first 4 months of lactation, allowing dairy farmers to reduce antibiotics at dry-off. Moreover, in the third and fourth months after calving, there was a statistically significant difference between SCC scores measured in cows treated with OZOLEA-MAST (108,870 and 219,910 cells/ml, respectively for month 3 and 4) and those for cows treated with BDCT (501,830 cells/ml and 546,640 cells/ml, respectively for month 3 and 4), which indicates also better performance in terms of udder health. Group O showed SCC values around 200,000 cells/ml for the first four months after calving.

Behind steadier and long-lasting SCC values, there is a functional and intact mammary tissue, able to sustain good milk production performance for longer periods. Furthermore, the epithelium at mammary level is functional and intact, thus allowing proper self-defence mechanisms: this is particularly relevant in first post-partum periods, when susceptibility to infections and udder problems.

Improving SCC values also means more profit: in Ireland, Geary and colleagues (2013)^1,2 calculated an increase of the national dairy industry profitability by € 37.7 million per year by reducing SCC by 10%. OZOLEA-MAST is a strategy to improve profit, both at dry-off and in lactation. In addition, lower SCC levels are correlated by scientific research to better milk quality.

SCC is used by dairy farmers for culling decision-making processes. With the innovative approach of OZOLEA-MAST, farmers can work on SCC management both at dry-off, as we have seen above, and during lactation. Cows with lower SCCs, close or below the farm’s target threshold, will be maintained in the herd for longer periods, with consequent reduction of culling rates and improvement of cow’s longevity. Long-aging, high performing cows will better contribute to overall farmers’ profit as there will be less need of replacement heifers (so, optimised costs).

Concerning AMR, resistant strains on dairy farms have been a hard challenge. However, genes associated with resistance in microorganisms are lost when there is no antibiotic substance insisting on the microbial population. This means that, as OZOLEA-MAST is non-antibiotic and is applied along with effective herd management strategies, its use over long periods can lead farmers to reduce both antibiotic usage and the occurrence of cases caused by resistant pathogens, thus contributing to the fight against AMR. In this ever challenging environment, OZOLEA-MAST gives multiple long-term benefits in a changing and increasingly demanding dairy environment.

OZOLEA-MAST double treatment at dry-off is aimed at allowing natural physiological processes autonomously. This requires time, for this reason the application must occur twice. As we have seen above, medium- and long-term benefits are several: a smaller effort for a long-standing dairy vision.

How to apply OZOLEA-MAST at dry-off: Protocol M8

References

¹ A. Naranjo-Lucena, R. Slowey, Invited review: Antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis pathogens: A review of genetic determinants and prevalence of resistance in European countries, Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 106, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 1-23, ISSN 0022-0302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22267

² U. Geary, N. Begley, F. McCoy, B. O’Brien, L. O’Grady, L. Shalloo. Estimating the impact of mastitis on the profitability of Irish dairy farms. Ir. J. Agric. Food Res., 52 (2013), pp. 221-228. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-742-4_36

³ M.J. Vilar, P.J. Rajala-Schultz, Dry-off and dairy cow udder health and welfare: Effects of different milk cessation methods. The Veterinary Journal 262 (2020) 105503. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105503

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How individual somatic cell count can help us opt for selective dry cow treatment

Marketing 10 November 2021 News

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest challenges we are facing in the dairy cattle. The new Veterinary Medicine Regulation will force dairy farmers from blanket dry cow therapy to selective dry cow therapy, which generally allows a prudent and reduced use of antimicrobials in dairy cows.

As discussed previously¹, somatic cell count (SCC) is one of the key elements that drive the decision-making process for selective dry cow therapy at herd level. Specifically, are SCC and mastitis issues under control? At least, the followings have to occur:

bulk tank SCC constantly below the reference value of 200,000 cell/ml in the current lactation;
contagious mastitis pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae) under control;
no infections (including subclinical issues) at the time of drying-off;
no clinical mastitis events during current lactation.

Measuring the bulk tank SCC (BTSCC) gives an idea of the quality of the milk. It is generally recognized by the law as a specific parameter to comply with for milk delivery. If we want to know the prevalence and incidence of subclinical mastitis at cow level and, thus, to understand the udder health status and cow’s eligibility to a selective dry cow procedure, we also need to measure individual SCC.

However, BTSCC is also useful to understand globally the herd health status. Generally, BTSCC constantly below the threshold value (200,000 cell/ml) can indicate healthy herds. Regular monitoring and recording both of BTSCC and individual SCC allow an efficient mastitis control.

On the other hand, measuring individual cow SCC regularly over each lactation is the best practice to monitor the udder health in each cow. We can consider individual SCC an essential parameter for management decisions, allowing us to exclude those animals not eligible for selective dry cow therapy.

For an improved implementation of a selective dry cow procedure, we may also consider checking SCC at a single quarter level. When the cow shows SCC values higher than the threshold value (200,000 cells/ml) during the last 3 months before dry-off, we have to consider antibiotic treatment in all quarters with our vet. If not, and no clinical events have occured in this period, we will check each quarter for SCC.

It is possible that, during lactation, the cow has experienced udder issues in only one quarter. Using the information collected, considering also farm practices and with lab tests per individual quarter right before dry-off, we can understand which quarter needs to be treated with antibiotics.

In those quarters with no issues, we can use OZOLEA-MAST: where antibiotics are not needed, the advantage of OZOLEA-MAST lies in the maintenance of a contained SCC count at the third and fourth month after calving. For this specific application, OZOLEA implemented Protocol M9 (M9. Udder at dry-off: selective dry cow treatment quarter by quarter).

Dry-off and the dry period are very delicate moments in a cow’s life because, if something does not work, future lactations as well as the life of cow and calf are at risk. Accordingly, veterinary advice is required also for the application of this protocol and for the evaluation of the results. What local authorities suggest with regard to dry cow therapies is to be taken into account as well.

¹ Blanket dry cow therapy, ban on prophylaxis from January 2022. Any alternative? Selective treatment.

https://www.ozolea.it/blanket-dry-cow-therapy-ban-on-prophylaxis-from-january-2022-any-alternative-selective-treatment/

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Selective dry cow treatment: field data for the use of OZOLEA-MAST

Marketing 3 November 2021 News

We are quite close to the application date of the new Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products, scheduled for 28 January 2022. Thus, we are closer to the forced transition to the selective dry cow therapy (SDCT).

SDCT allows the dairy farmer to identify and individually treat cows or quarters likely to be infected at dry-off. Recently, scientific research has been able to verify whether SDCT could be successful in protecting udder health and to describe its effect on antimicrobial use and profitability.

Not all dairy herds are ready for SDCT. As a consequence, an important work on management improvement must be done in the next few months to get ready for the new regulatory framework. We discussed previously how it is possibile to understand whether our dairy herd could be ready or not for SDCT¹.

We also stressed the importance of a correct procedure for milk cessation. A gradual milk cessation will help protect udder health, further reducing the occurence of intra-mammary infections in the future lactation².

At OZOLEA, we also thought about how dairy farmers could further reduce the use of antibiotics at dry-off. Thanks to its versatility, OZOLEA-MAST can be applied in a selective dry cow treatment in those herd eligible for this procedure.

The decision-making process to understant what cows can be dried off with OZOLEA-MAST follows the general rules for SDCT.

One may wonder what the advantage of applying OZOLEA-MAST at dry-off is, and how to do it.

To answer the first question, OZOLEA conducted a field trial on a farm with a herd eligible for SDCT. As for the second one, OZOLEA prepared a specific protocol (M8. Udder, dry-off: selective dry cow treatment).

Selective dry cow treatment: field data for the use of OZOLEA-MAST

As part of its field activity, OZOLEA collected data on the use of OZOLEA-MAST in selective dry cow treatment (SDCT), applied according to the specific protocol for dry-off, to investigate the effects on somatic cell count (SCC) during the first four months after calving.

The results were compared with the effects on SCC in case of a conventional intra-mammary antibiotic treatment.

A total of 60 lactating dairy cows were assessed. One group was administered with OZOLEA-MAST (30 cows, Group O) and the other group was given a conventional antibiotic treatment (30 cows, Group A) at dry-off. Regardless of the procedure used, all cows in both groups were eligible for SDCT in terms of health and SCC. The antibiotic treatment was conducted as per manufacturer’s indications. Milk SCC values were measured monthly during the following lactation for four months after calving.

As shown in Figure 1, group O showed no statistical differences as for SCC values with Group A during the first two months after calving, while during third and fourth months, Group O showed a lower average SCC level compared to the cows treated with antibiotics.

As shown in Figure 1, the group of cows treated with OZOLEA-MAST displayed no statistically significant differences in somatic cell count data compared to those treated with the antibiotic for the first two months after calving. In the third and fourth month, however, there is a statistically significant difference between the two groups of cows: in particular, the cows treated with OZOLEA-MAST showed a lower average of somatic cells than those treated with antibiotics.

In this work, the results showed that OZOLEA-MAST can be a possible alternative to conventional antibiotic therapies at dry-off, further contributing to the reduction of antimicrobials in dairy cattle. Furthermore, the statistical differences shown during the third and fourth months after calving are a clear indication of better milk quality, which would benefit profitability for both farmers and processors.

Globally, the use of OZOLEA-MAST is an effective strategy for tackling AMR, further protecting food consumers.

**Figure 1** Statistical analysis of OZOLEA-MAST versus ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT DATASET t-test for unpaired data with R Studio.

How to use OZOLEA-MAST at dry-off

As discussed above, the first thing is to check the cows and quarters eligible for the selective procedure. Before drying-off, it is essential to reduce milk production according to a correct procedure, keeping in mind that udder health must be protected also while ceasing milk production, involving the veterinarian in this process.

Then, once ready for drying-off, we will apply one intra-mammary applicator per quarter after the second to last milking and one intra-mammary applicator per quarter after the last milking.

We will check the results by monitoring the behavior in the following lactation and, if possible, by detecting the values of differential SCCs in periodic functional checks³.

¹ Blanket dry cow therapy, ban on prophylaxis from January 2022. Any alternative? Selective treatment.

https://www.ozolea.it/blanket-dry-cow-therapy-ban-on-prophylaxis-from-january-2022-any-alternative-selective-treatment/

² A suitable drying-off procedure helps protect udder health.

https://www.ozolea.it/a-suitable-drying-off-procedure-helps-protect-udder-health/

³ DSCC: another useful tool to strategically tackle AMR in dairy farming?

https://www.ozolea.it/dscc-another-useful-tool-to-strategically-tackle-amr-in-dairy-farming/

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Blanket dry cow therapy, ban on prophylaxis from January 2022. Any alternative? Selective treatment

Marketing 11 March 2021 News

One week ago, we introduced the new VMP Regulation. Among the key measures, it will reinforce the EU’s strategy against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by introducing a ban on the preventive use of antibiotics in groups of animals (prophylaxis) and other restrictions on irrational and unnecessary use of antibiotics. They will be used only by way of exception.

When thinking of prophylactic treatments in dairy cows, the one immediately coming to mind is blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT).

When it was first introduced more than seventy years ago, it was a revolutionary approach since it made possible for dairy farmers to deal with major udder issues as a treatment for intra-mammary infections, at the end of lactation and as a preventive measure for potential new infections at dry-off, which is one of the most delicate moment in a cow’s life.

Things have changed, and, with the help of veterinarians and technicians, dairy farmers have been playing their part in prevention better and better, year after year. Thus, while in the past blanket therapy was well justified by several reasons, now for many dairy farmers it is no more necessary.

On the contrary, it could be really detrimental, and the risk is substantially linked to AMR.

A not brand-new approach but the future: selective dry cow therapy

Despite these considerations, for all the EU dairy farmers BDCT, as a prophylactic treatment, will be banned from 28 January 2022. Time is running out, and in this pretty short period of time the ideal transition would be towards the application of selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) for all the dairy farms.

SDCT allows the dairy farmer to identify and individually treat cows or quarters likely to be infected at dry-off. Recently, scientific research has been able to verify whether SDCT could be successful in protecting udder health and to describe its effect on antimicrobial use and economics.

Actually, some dairy herds are not yet ready for SDCT.

What conditions should a dairy farmer consider for the introduction of a SDCT program in their dairy herd? Let’s make an overview.

Herd eligibility: what parameters?

SDCT can be really effective in those dairy herds with a good history of milk quality and dairy herd health. Despite its potential, SDCT involves some risks, thus we must ponder some aspects to have a successful SDCT program.

Specific questions should be made and, if the answer to all of them is yes, the herd is eligible for DCST.

Are somatic cell counts (SCC) and mastitis issues under control? At least, the followings have to occur:

bulk tank SCC constantly below the reference value of 200,000 cell/ml in the current lactation;
contagious mastitis pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae) under control;
no infections (including subclinical issues) at the time of drying-off;
no clinical mastitis events during current lactation.

We also have to think over the conditions of the environment where cows live. Are facilities for dry cows good and proper management practices in place? We will need:

excellent hygiene measures at dry-off and in calving facilities;
cleanliness maintained in housing;
the right space (1 cubicle) per each dry cow;
regular checks for any sign of mastitis.

To approach the correct SDCT program for any dairy herd, consulting veterinarians and attending training courses will be essential for the proper implementation of the therapy.

Once we have set up the SDCT program, methodically monitoring the work in progress is essential!

When the questions lead to “no”: how to prepare

When the dairy herd is not yet ready for a selective dry cow treatment, the farmer should rethink the principles on which the prevention of new infections is based. Here some basic indications:

careful hygiene management in lactation, dry period and calving facilities;
proper use of teat sealants when drying-off;
adequate management and attention in the specific diet variations during the cow’s transition period;
improvement of management and recording skills.

Remember, knowing the lactation history for each cow, for any related aspect (intra-mammary infections, treatments, SCC, etc.) is one of tool for a good SDCT program. Let’s start working on it consistently!