Projects of the chair in biosecurity of dairy production
Validation des stratégies de diagnostic rapides, robustes et efficaces pour soutenir la mise en œuvre de programmes de biosécurité rigoureux.
THÈME 2
Développement de programmes et d'outils de surveillance et contrôle des maladies efficaces et économiquement viables.
THÈME 3
The activities of the chair in biosecurity of dairy production revolve around three research themes.
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Identification of key biosecurity practices to prevent the introduction or spread of disease between herds (external biosecurity or bio-exclusion) and to control within herd prevalence.
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Validation of rapid, robust and effective diagnostic strategies to support the implementation of rigorous biosecurity programs.
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Development of effective and economically viable monitoring programs and tools for control of diseases.
THÈME 1
Current projects :
Surveillance of Bovine Viral Diarrhea in Canadian dairy herds
Marie-Pascale Morin
Simon Dufour
Professor
Jean-Philippe Roy
Professor
Gilles Fecteau
Professor
Infection of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD) is an endemic, often underdiagnosed infectious disease that threatens the profitability and sustainability of dairy farms. This disease has a significant impact on animal welfare and on the use of antimicrobials and food safety. Therefore, it is crucial to implement biosecurity plans based on solid scientific evidence.
The objective of my research project is to develop a monitoring and control program for BVD for the benefit of cattle, dairy producers and consumers.
To do this, we will:
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Describe the prevalence of BVD infection and identify the practices associated with the probability of infection in a herd
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Evaluate the diagnostic performance of different approaches to determine the status of a herd with respect to BVD
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Establish the basics and evaluate different control approaches
for BVD infection.
The results of the research will be essential for the development of better programs to prevent disease transmission. Dairy producers, veterinarians and governments will have new working tools for the control and, in some cases, the eradication of other infectious diseases.
Methodology to assess the adoption of biosecurity practices on Canadian dairy farms and identification of barriers to their implementation
Vitoria Régia Lima Campêlo
Simon Dufour
Professor
Cécile Aenishaenslin
Professor
Manon Racicot
Professor
Biosecurity measures applied in animal production can limit the transmission and spread of infectious diseases, bringing a series of benefits, such as reduced antibiotic use, better milk quality and animal welfare. Despite the benefits, it is unclear why the use of biosecurity measures is apparently low on dairy farms in Canada, given the dangers of introducing disease.
The objective of my research project is to assess the adoption of biosecurity practices on Canadian dairy farms and identify barriers to their implementation.
To do this, we will:
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Describe the biosecurity measures in place
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Explore the implementation of the recommendations suggested by the referring veterinarians
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Identify the motivations and difficulties of producers for the implementation of biosecurity practices.
The results of the research will make it possible to understand the causes and the difficulties the producers may face that prevent a better implementation of biosecurity practices and to propose strategies to overcome some of these difficulties and increase biosecurity on canadian dairy farms.
Development of a surveillance and control program for bovine leukosis in Canadian dairy herds
Karol Gilberto Solano Suarez
Simon Dufour
Professor
Jean-Philippe Roy
Professor
Juan Carlos Arango Sabogal
Professeur
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) affects the health and production of dairy cattle. BLV-positive herds encounter barriers to international trade with countries where the disease is eradicated. Disease prevalence is directly associated with biosecurity.
The objective of my research project is to develop a bovine leukosis surveillance and control program in Canada.
To do this, we will:
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Validate a bulk milk ELISA test to determine within herd prevalence of leukosis
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Estimating the within herd prevalence of leukosis in Canada
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Determine the association between biosecurity practices and within herd prevalence of leukosis in Quebec
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Compare the within herd prevalence observed in 2022 with the one reported in 2018 in Quebec.
The results of the research will make it possible to propose better management practices and propose a monitoring and control program of the disease. Dairy farmers, veterinarians and governments will have new working tools to fight bovine leukosis and, in some cases, eradicate other infectious diseases.
Validation of tank milk sampling strategies and study of risk factors for Salmonella Dublin in dairy herds
Salmonella Dublin is a zoonotic enterobacteriaceae that emerged in dairy cattle in Quebec in 2011. The Dublin serotype is adapted to cattle; which leads to the presence of asymptomatic carriers which will contaminate and maintain the circulation of the pathogen in a herd. Bulk tank milk seems to be very useful for diagnosing the disease. However, the optimal diagnostic strategy to predict the status of a herd needs to be clarified.
Additionally, biosecurity appears to play an important role in the introduction of S. Dublin. Therefore, the link between the status of a herd and its biosecurity practices remains to be investigated.
The objective of my project is to validate bulk milk sampling strategies and identify risk factors for Salmonella Dublin on dairy farms in Quebec.
To do this, we will:
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Assess the current prevalence of S. Dublin
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Estimate the accuracy of an antibody test (ELISA) to determine the status of a herd with: 1 bulk milk, blood from 10 animals, environmental samples
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Examine different diagnostic strategies (≥2 bulk milk, 20 animals, combination) and estimate their costs
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Order the diagnostic strategies and propose the optimal ones thanks to the multi-criteria decision support tool
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Identify risk factors for S.Dublin
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Look for the presence of geographical "clusters".
Research results will help guide dairy producers and their veterinarians in choosing a testing scenario using ELISA on bulk tank milk and/or other types of samples/analyses to predict the status of their herd.
In addition, the industry will have specific biosecurity recommendations to prevent introduction of S. Dublin into negative herds and mitigation strategies to control within herd prevalence.
Finally, governments will have new tools to tackle Salmonella Dublin.