Udder Health Epidemiology subgroup

Selective Dry-Off with Responsible Antibiotic Use

This project, anchored at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (KU SUND), aims to significantly reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy cattle during the dry-off period by 50-75%. Previous studies have laid the groundwork by identifying effective strategies for reducing antibiotic use during lactation. However, the selective use of antibiotics at the gland level during dry-off remains underexplored.

The project seeks to refine this approach without compromising the cure rates of treated cows. Nadja Alsted is the PhD student in this project, and takes on a pivotal role, carrying out field work and epidemiological analyses. The University of Copenhagen leads this work primarily through two of the project work packages. These include conducting extensive literature reviews, identifying dairy herds for sample collection, undertaking field sampling and comparing the effectiveness of traditional and selective dry-off treatments.

The project will use data from earlier research to ensure robust scientific evidence supports its recommendations. By focusing on evidence-based strategies, the project aligns with the EU's "Farm to Fork" strategy and aims to maintain Denmark's leadership in sustainable dairy farming. The research outcomes will be disseminated to dairy producers and veterinarians to facilitate practical implementation.

Selektiv goldning med ansvarligt antibiotikaforbrug (Mælkeafgiftsfonden).

The objective of the project is to develop research-based methods and recommendations for dairy farmers at the herd level to effectively identify which cows and udder quarters can be selectively dried off without negatively impacting cell counts at the cow or quarter level. This contributes to profitable production and internationally competitive farming practices, where the use of antibiotics is based on scientific evidence. 

Towards Herd Specific Udder Health Management (SEGES). This is the PhD project of Michael Farre. The overall objective of this PhD project is to propose and assess the efficacy of herd-specific udder health management in Danish dairy cattle herds. This includes research approaches within social science, epidemiology and microbiology.

Sikker diagnostik I B-streptokokbesætninger

This project is funded by the Milk Levy Foundation and aims at improving the diagnostics for dairy herds with S. agalactiae infections. 

ACROBAT project

The aim of this project is to conduct research on how to reduce the use of antibiotics in cattle and poultry. This projects is funded by the Danish contingency under the DK-VET consortium. 

Yversundhed i Top gennem bedre behandlingsstrategier (”Optimal udder health through improved treatment strategies”). The purpose of the project, funded by the Milk Levy Foundation, is to reduce the occurrence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in cows and consequently decrease the use of antibiotics in dairy cattle. This is achieved by developing and implementing evidence-based control strategies for mastitis that rely on improved diagnostics and antibiotic treatment.

Yversundhed i Verdensklasse. Funded by the Dairy Foundation. The purpose is to improve milk quality and udder health, which will result in an increase in milk yield and a decrease in antibiotic usage among Danish dairy farmers."