Measuring the impact of bovine digital dermatitis research on knowledge and practice of biosecurity during cattle foot-trimming

Gillespie, Amy V ORCID: 0000-0002-0017-3388, Carter, Stuart D ORCID: 0000-0002-3585-9400, Blowey, Roger W, Staton, Gareth J ORCID: 0000-0003-4100-8597, Walsh, Tessa R and Evans, Nicholas J ORCID: 0000-0002-2950-1007 (2021) Measuring the impact of bovine digital dermatitis research on knowledge and practice of biosecurity during cattle foot-trimming. JOURNAL OF DAIRY RESEARCH, 88 (1). pp. 60-63.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022029921000170

Abstract

This research communication reports the results from questionnaires used to identify the impact of recent research into the disinfection of cattle foot-trimming equipment to prevent bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) transmission on (a) biosecurity knowledge and (b) hygiene practice of foot health professionals. An initial questionnaire found that more than half of participating farmers, veterinary surgeons and commercial foot-trimmers were not considering hand or hoof-knife hygiene in their working practices. The following year, after the release of a foot-trimming hygiene protocol and a comprehensive knowledge exchange programme by the University of Liverpool, a second survey showed 35/80 (43.8%) farmers, veterinary surgeons and commercial foot-trimmers sampled considered they were now more aware of the risk of spreading BDD during foot- trimming. Furthermore, 36/80 (45.0%) had enhanced their hygiene practice in the last year, impacting an estimated 1383 farms and 5130 cows trimmed each week. Participants who reported having seen both the foot-trimming hygiene protocol we developed with AHDB Dairy and other articles about foot-trimming hygiene in the farming and veterinary press, were significantly more likely to have changed their working practices. Difficulties accessing water and cleaning facilities on farms were identified as the greatest barrier to improving biosecurity practices. Participants' preferred priority for future research was continued collection of evidence for the importance and efficacy of good foot-trimming hygiene practices.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Bovine digital dermatitis, foot-trimming, hygiene, knowledge exchange, impact
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2021 09:26
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:52
DOI:	10.1017/S0022029921000170
Open Access URL:	https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3119475