Royal GD, PO Box 9, Deventer 7400 AA, the Netherlands; Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Animal Sciences department, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6700 AH, the Netherlands.
Prev Vet Med. 2024 Nov;232:106312. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106312. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
In recent years, the Netherlands exhibited an increased focus on improving youngstock rearing. Several data-driven tools were developed to assess and benchmark calf rearing practices based on key indicators, stimulate farmers to improve their youngstock rearing and reduce calf mortality. KalfOK is such a data-driven tool in which a farm-level overview with 15 indicators of youngstock rearing quality is communicated to participating farmers. In this study we assessed which farm characteristics are associated with A) a continuously high or low KalfOK score and B) frequent usage of KalfOK. Data from KalfOK and the identification and registration system were available for all participating herds over a period between 2019 and 2022 (Dataset A). Additionally, a sample of 324 dairy farmers, randomly selected from the entire Dutch dairy population (Dataset B), participated in a voluntary survey. Multivariable (logistic) regression models were used to A) identify differences in characteristics between farms with a continuously high- and farms with a continuously low KalfOK score and B) assess which farm characteristics were associated with frequent use of the KalfOK report. The results of analysis A showed multiple factors associated with having a low or high KalfOK score, including replacement rate, closed farming system, limited growth in herd size and the region where a farm was located. Sociological factors might also partly explain the difference between high and low scoring farms. Analysis B showed that approximately half of the surveyed farmers indicated that they do not frequently use their KalfOK overview in their calf rearing management. The KalfOK score of farmers who regularly use their KalfOK report was higher - and consequently better - compared to the KalfOK score of farmers who sometimes or never use KalfOK. Additionally, farmers using a milk robot and those discussing KalfOK regularly with their veterinarian, used KalfOK more often. Thirty four percent of the surveyed farmers made adjustments to their youngstock rearing management since the start of participation. The study's insights into patterns in KalfOK utilization and associations with farm characteristics provide valuable information for ongoing efforts to enhance calf rearing practices via the use of KalfOK. It is important to consider what is needed to convince farmers that do not use the KalfOK tool to frequently start using their KalfOK report. Future research incorporating sociological aspects can provide a more comprehensive understanding of other dynamics influencing calf rearing and contribute valuable insights for enhancing the effectiveness of programs like KalfOK in promoting calf health and welfare.
近年来，荷兰加大了对幼畜饲养的重视。开发了几个数据驱动的工具，根据关键指标评估和基准测试牛犊饲养实践，鼓励农民改善幼畜饲养并降低牛犊死亡率。KalfOK 就是这样一个数据驱动的工具，它向参与的农民传达了农场层面的 15 个幼畜饲养质量指标概述。在这项研究中，我们评估了哪些农场特征与 A）持续高或低的 KalfOK 评分和 B）频繁使用 KalfOK 相关。在 2019 年至 2022 年期间，KalfOK 和识别与注册系统的数据可用于所有参与的牛群（数据集 A）。此外，从整个荷兰奶牛种群中随机抽取的 324 名奶牛养殖户作为样本（数据集 B）参与了一项自愿调查。多变量（逻辑）回归模型用于 A）确定具有持续高 KalfOK 评分和具有持续低 KalfOK 评分的农场之间的特征差异，B）评估哪些农场特征与频繁使用 KalfOK 报告相关。分析 A 的结果表明，有多个因素与低或高 KalfOK 评分相关，包括替代率、封闭养殖系统、牛群规模增长有限以及农场所在的地区。社会学因素也可能部分解释了评分高和低的农场之间的差异。分析 B 表明，大约一半接受调查的农民表示他们在牛犊饲养管理中不经常使用 KalfOK 概述。经常使用 KalfOK 报告的农民的 KalfOK 评分更高——因此更好——与偶尔或从不使用 KalfOK 的农民的 KalfOK 评分相比。此外，使用牛奶机器人的农民和经常与兽医讨论 KalfOK 的农民更频繁地使用 KalfOK。34%的调查农民自参与以来对幼畜饲养管理进行了调整。本研究对 KalfOK 使用模式和与农场特征的关联的深入了解，为通过使用 KalfOK 提高牛犊饲养实践提供了有价值的信息。重要的是要考虑需要什么来说服不使用 KalfOK 工具的农民经常开始使用他们的 KalfOK 报告。未来的研究纳入社会学方面可以更全面地了解影响牛犊饲养的其他动态，并为增强 KalfOK 等计划的有效性提供有价值的见解，以促进牛犊的健康和福利。重要的是要考虑需要什么来说服不使用 KalfOK 工具的农民经常开始使用他们的 KalfOK 报告。未来的研究纳入社会学方面可以更全面地了解影响牛犊饲养的其他动态，并为增强 KalfOK 等计划的有效性提供有价值的见解，以促进牛犊的健康和福利。
