OrganicDairyHealth - Improving animal health and welfare in organic cattle milk production though breeding and management

Specifically, the following main hypotheses are investigated:

• Breeding strategies for organic dairy production in Europe can be enhanced by taking into account characteristics of commercial and local/native breeds and their ability to adapt to local environments including grazing and low concentrate feeding. Using genomic selection and crossbreeding of local/native and commercial breeds are important aspects of future organic dairy cow breeding.
•  Identification of risk factors for stress and udder infections and systematic use of drying off quarters with mild mastitis will contribute to efficient preventive and handling strategies, improving udder health and reducing medication in organic dairy herds without negative effects on animal welfare.
•  Pasture based feeding strategies may lower metabolic disease and mastitis risks. This effect can be increased by utilizing information concerning individual cow activity.