Clean udders result in less health challenges and more milk

Biofilm formation is considered a selective advantage or survival strategy of unfavourable bacteria causing udder health challenges, facilitating bacterial persistence in the udder. Recently, research has shown the ability of several bacteria to form biofilm in relation to recurring udder health challenges (Gomez et al., 2016; Wallis et al., 2018; Pedersen et al., 2021). Biofilm leads to shielding of bacteria, making them invisible and untouchable by traditional methods and the animal’s immune system. AHV tackles this biofilm challenge at the root cause by preventing formation and eradicating biofilm in the udder. Our products clean and prepare the udder to support a successful current and future lactations by decreasing the incidence of udder health challenges. Curious how we do this? We are happy to explain.

Biofilms are widely defined as a cluster of cells enclosed in a self-produced matrix. Bacteria growing in a biofilm become more tolerant to the animal’s immune system and 100–1000 times less susceptible to traditional methods (Stewart and Costerton 2001; Donlan, 2000). This makes udder health challenges very difficult to overcome. As a result, biofilm formation in the udder is leading to recurring udder health challenges (Vasudevan et al. 2003). This is of concern as many products fail to address the problem at its core, which is biofilm.

Bacteria wait for the right moment to attack

The method of detecting udder health challenges is often based on milk quality values . Somatic cells are immune cells that invade the udder when ‘free’ bacteria are present in the udder and can be ‘seen’ by the immune system. When the immune system of a cow is strong, ie when she has enough energy and is not challenged, bacteria stay hidden in the biofilm and are not causing a rise in milk quality values. As a result, bacteria survive. If conditions are favourable for the bacteria (at times of reduced immunity caused by reduced energy and/or challenging situations such as calving, transition, heat and drying off) they come out of the biofilm in massive numbers at once and result in udder health challenges (Cucarella et al. 2004). Biofilms are a survival mechanism of microorganisms and contribute to bacterial persistence on the farm.

Tackling challenges at the core

Nowadays, it is accepted that biofilm production is an important mechanism of unfavourable bacteria causing udder health challenges. However, the mode of action of many products does not focus on biofilm prevention or eradication. The products of AHV stand out from existing products by targeting the biofilm. AHV conducts a lot of scientific work in its own laboratory on biofilm. The insights we gain from research are used to further improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our products. The AHV Udder Health Program consists of several levels of support for keeping the udder clean in order to reduce losses in the dairy industry and to ensure milk safety and quality.

A proactive approach is better

AHV offers an Udder Health Program with products and solutions that contain the proprietary and patent pending AHV QSA Technology. The blend of proprietary components is developed to support the immune system,  improvement of udder health and milk quality, with zero milk or meat withhold.

The AHV Udder Health program consists of four levels: UDR-C, UDR-L, UDR-P, UDR-R. In category UDR-C, we focus on helping to prevent biofilm formation, stimulate appetite and promote of the immune system. In categories UDR-L/P/R we focus on helping to prevent and eradication of biofilm, stimulate appetite and promote sustained strength of the immune system. A cow in the UDR-L/P/R category showed one or more attentions based on Herd Test data in the last 18 months.

Our proactive approach

For cows in the UDR-C category we advise the AHV Booster Bolus 1-2 weeks prior to calving to provide good energy and keep bacteria from working together, building new biofilm or coming out of existing  biofilm; AHV Extra Bolus and optionally Aspi Bolus and Booster Bolus to supportcomfort and / or energy. Proactively applying AHV Extra Bolus allows for maintaining production of high quality milk and prevents biofilm forming in the udder that could cause recurring udder health challenges. By keeping the udders clear, there is more energy available for fertility and production.

For cows in the UDR-L, UDR-P and UDR-R categories we advise the AHV Quick, Bolus, AHV Extra Bolus and AHV Aspi Bolus and / or AHV Booster Bolusto fuel the immune system. The advice is always given by our Territory Manager in consultation with you as dairy farmer.

Trial USA: Less Udder Health challenges and more milk

We conducted an Udder Health field trial under supervision of our Technical Service Lead (USA) Andre Rigo. The location was a dairy farm in the Southeast of the United States with 14.000 milking cows. The control group n=1.897 cows were given a traditional product when cows tested positive with a Rapid Test (RMT). In the AHV group n=228 cows that tested RMT+ were given a combination of AHV Quick and Extra Boluses and Aspi Liquid (Q+E+A).

In the control group, 16% of the cows showed a recurrent positive RMT in the same lactation. The AHV group showed better results, only 4% of the cows showed a recurrent positive RMT in the same lactation. An increase in milk quality value will cost milk, every doubling above 100 milk quality value will cost 3% milk. There is no withdrawal period for milk after using AHV products. With a difference of 12%, the products of AHV make substantially more milk eligible for delivery to the factory leading to significant improved financial benefits.

The role of biofilm

The risk of not successfully addressing udder health challenges in a timely manner is biofilm formation. An udder with biofilm produces less milk. This is caused by the space occupied by the biofilm and reduced capacity when the udder has been showing irregularities for a long time. A healthy, clean udder will produce more milk per cow and udder health challenges decrease in the following period.

Understanding the role of biofilms in udder health challenges is crucial to determine the best strategies in order to reduce losses in the dairy industry and to ensure milk safety and quality. Our animal health concept is built on the AHV Quorum Sensing Antagonist (QSA) Technology. We focus on applying quorum sensing (QS) science in innovative solutions to support and optimize animal health through biofilm eradication and inhibition of QS between bacteria, inhibiting biofilm formation. 

Sources:

• Gomes, F., Saavedra, M. J., & Henriques, M. (2016). Bovine mastitis disease/pathogenicity: evidence of the potential role of microbial biofilms. FEMS Pathogens and Disease, 74(3), ftw006.
• Wallis, J. K., Krömker, V., & Paduch, J. H. (2018). Biofilm formation and adhesion to bovine udder epithelium of potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria. AIMS microbiology, 4(2), 209.
• Pedersen, R. R., Krömker, V., Bjarnsholt, T., Dahl-Pedersen, K., Buhl, R., & Jørgensen, E. (2021). Biofilm research in bovine mastitis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 449.
• Stewart, P. S., & Costerton, J. W. (2001). Antibiotic resistance of bacteria in biofilms. The lancet, 358(9276), 135-138.
• Donlan, R. M. (2000). Role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance. ASAIO journal, 46(6), S47-S52.
• Cucarella, C., Tormo, M. A., Ubeda, C., Trotonda, M. P., Monzón, M., Peris, C., … & Penadés, J. R. (2004). Role of biofilm-associated protein bap in the pathogenesis of bovine Staphylococcus aureus. Infection and immunity, 72(4), 2177-2185.

About AHV

AHV (Animal Health Vision) is the global leader in quorum sensing-powered animal health solutions and advisory services, giving #PowerToTheFarmer to optimise their animal health. Since opening in New Zealand February 2022, AHV has tailored a range of protocols to New Zealand farming challenges to power herd longevity, productivity and profitability. Reach out to your local Territory Manager or call AHV New Zealand at 0800 424 869 to learn more about how AHV can support your farm.