IMPRO

Impact matrix analysis and cost-benefit calculations to improve management practices regarding health status in organic dairy farming

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Animal health status in organic dairy farming does not in all respect meet consumers’ expectations. Improvements are crucial to support consumers’ confidence and their willingness to pay premium prices. These are urgently needed to cover the higher production costs. Previous herd health planning concepts have prepared the ground for further advancements. However, recommended measures are often implemented only to an unsatisfactory degree, differing widely between farms, and resulting in an improper animal health status. The IMPRO project aims to substantially overcome weak points in current health management strategies on organic dairy farms and to increase the implementation of evidence based measures and to improve practice of health management. This will be achieved by a multidisciplinary and participatory approach to develop farm specific solutions regarding preventive measures and early treatment strategies. Researchers with a thorough experience in conducting applied research will aim for the following: • to develop a participatory and farm-centric diagnostic tool for a sound diagnostic procedure at the farm level, identifying the most effective measures to improve animal health, • to evaluate farm-specific costs and benefits of recommended measures, to optimise farm-specific allocation of available resources, and to emerge incentives, • to examine the motivation and attitudes of farmer, advisor, and veterinarian directly involved in health management practice, • to elaborate reference values for achievable standards with respect to animal health status, • to develop a pro-active monitoring protocol aiming for improved effectiveness of preventive and treatment strategies and for a reduction in the use of allopathic remedies, • to assess the manageability of alternative treatments according to the state-of-the-art, • to develop a software-based tool including health monitoring, farm diagnostics’ procedures, cost-benefit calculation, and break-even analysis.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Consumer confidence is falling amid concerns over the health of commercial livestock. An EU initiative is designing novel approaches to improve the health of dairy cows in organic dairy farming.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Existing health management strategies fail to take into account multifactorial, varying and highly complex causes that affect the health of dairy cows on individual farms. What is more, measures are carried out in vastly different ways, leading to inconsistent treatment and unreliable results. A systemic approach is needed in order to deliver appropriate measures, and successful treatments.

Thanks to EU funding, the http://www.impro-dairy.eu/ (IMPRO) project is developing diagnostic tools to improve management practices and the effectiveness of alternative treatment for cows in organic dairy herds. To achieve this, the project is using a multidisciplinary approach to address scientific challenges concerning animal health and management procedures on the farm at different levels.

During the first reporting period researchers developed a diagnostic tool that farmers and their consultants can use to determine health conditions on a farm and support the selection of measures to improve animal health. It was then implemented in 218 organic farming systems in Germany, Spain, France and Sweden. The project team also examined whether the tool had any effect on farmers' attitudes and management practices.

Project members developed new protocols for monitoring cow and herd health and preventing disease in organic systems. The protocols were piloted in 40 farms in France and Sweden to establish whether they improve health and are suitable for farmers, consultants and veterinarians.

By shedding light on animal health, IMPRO is working towards innovative and effective health management solutions for organic farming systems. Farmers, health regulatory authorities and consumers should all benefit from healthy dairy cows.