This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on reducing antibiotic use in dairy production.
The first chapter describes the regulatory control of medicines in the United Kingdom and European Union and discusses the wider implications of antimicrobial use in dairy production and the need for change in the way we view and use medicines. The chapter also proposes how medicine prescribing practices in the dairy industry may undergo a series of changes in the near future.
The second chapter considers recent advances of disease prevention in dairy cattle. Using bovine respiratory disease as a model, the chapter investigates key interactions between the host, environment and pathogen. These interactions can provide beneficial information that can be utilised to develop a prevention platform for multiple syndromes of bacterial disease in dairy cattle.
The final chapter begins by assessing the need to promote digestive efficiency and productivity whilst maintaining animal health and welfare. It considers the role of probiotics in achieving this and reviews the range of research undertaken on the benefits and modes of action of probiotics. The chapter also details the role of probiotics in reducing antibiotic use in dairy production through improvements in areas such as pathogen control, feed efficiency and methane production.
Chapter 1 - Responsible and sustainable use of medicines in dairy herd health: David C. Barrett, Kristen K. Reyher, Andrea Turner and David A. Tisdall, University of Bristol, UK; 1 Introduction2 Antimicrobial resistance3 Inappropriate behaviours and practices4 Making progress towards change5 Delivering results6 Future trends and conclusion7 Where to look for further information8 Acknowledgements9 References Chapter 2 - Preventing bacterial diseases in dairy cattle: Sharif Aly, University of California-Davis, USA; 1 Introduction2 Pathogen host environment: an overview3 Disease detection4 Risk assessment tools5 Future trends in research6 Where to look for further information7 References Chapter 3 - The use of probiotics as supplements for ruminants: Frédérique Chaucheyras-Durand and Lysiane Dunière, Lallemand Animal Nutrition and Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR 454 MEDIS, France; 1 Introduction2 Critical periods in the ruminant lifecycle as targets for probiotics3 Definitions, delivery mechanisms and regulation4 Benefits and modes of action of probiotics: young ruminants5 Benefits and modes of action of probiotics: feed efficiency in adult ruminants6 Benefits and modes of action of probiotics: methane production7 Benefits and modes of action of probiotics: pathogen control8 Benefits and modes of action of probiotics: effects on the immune system9 Conclusions and future trends10 Acknowledgments11 Where to look for further information section12 References
