Farmers' Attitudes in Connection with the Potential for Rodent Prevention in Livestock Farming in a Municipality in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Rodents in livestock farming constitute a threat to the one health approach. In the present observational case study, livestock farmers worked together with a pest controller within a pilot project. The aim of the study was to assess determinants associated with rodent-prevention potential.

Use of insect pest thresholds in oilseed rape and cereals: is it worth it?

Background: Integrated pest management (IPM) uses thresholds to minimize pesticide use, and field monitoring of damaging organisms is an important component to evaluate whether or not thresholds have been breached. However, monitoring requires time and knowledge which impacts costs and benefits. In this study, we evaluated the effects of using insect pest thresholds on time effort, frequency of insecticide treatment and economics in comparison with common farm practices (business as usual) in winter wheat (WW), winter barley (WB) and winter oilseed rape (OSR).

The Combined Effect of IgG and Fe Supply and Feeding Management on Growth Rates of Calves on Eight Commercial Dairy Farms in Germany.

During the first days of a calf’s life, the foundations are laid for successful growth and thus also for the later performance of the cows. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact on the weight gain of newborn calves due to important management factors related to colostrum supply, iron supply, feeding regime and microbial load at first feeding. In spring 2017, information of 123 Holstein calves were analyzed with regard to the colostrum supply and management factors on eight commercial dairy farms located in Germany.

Farmers' Preferences Regarding the Design of Animal Welfare Programs: Insights from a Choice-Based Conjoint Study in Germany.

As more animal welfare is required in livestock farming, several approaches have been developed to improve the well-being of farmed animals on a voluntary basis. Since farmers' acceptance is important for the success of these approaches, their preferences should be considered when developing farm animal welfare programs. We used choice based conjoint analysis to investigate the preferences of 242 German livestock farmers (147 cattle farmers; 95 pig farmers) regarding the design of farm animal welfare programs.

Animal Hygiene Indexes in Relation to Big-Five Personality Traits of German Pig Farmers Evaluated by Self- and Other-Rating.

Improving biosecurity in intensive livestock production has become an increasingly challenging task. Often, animal hygiene measures are implemented at lower levels than recommended. Therefore, veterinarians and farm advisors look for new approaches to improve their advisory process with farmers.

Start-up financing of professional pest control in pig farming in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.

Background: Due to the risk of spreading epizootic diseases through rodents, pest control is mandatory in pig farming in European countries. However, there is limited research focused on rodent control practices, usage of anticoagulant rodenticides, and the acceptance of Pest Control Operators (PCOs) in pig farming in Germany. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate current control practices in pig holdings and to analyze the potential of a financial support on the implementation of professional pest control.