TheDairySite Newsletter - 10 June 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial - Towards A Sustainable Dairy Sector

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has announced that laboratory management systems can contribute to a sustainable dairy sector.

More than 190 experts gathered at the IDF/ISO Analytical Week in Lyon in France to discuss the latest developments and future projects for methods of analysis in the dairy sector, in expert meetings and a mid-week symposium.

Hosted by the IDF French National Committee (FIL France), the joint IDF/ISO event provided a platform for experts to work on topical analysis issues, such as the need for a reference system for somatic cell counting in milk, and initiatives underpinning food safety testing.

The mid-week symposium explored the theme 'How can analysis promote sustainability in the dairy chain?'. IDF and ISO experts presented new initiatives and recommendations that showed for the first time that the analysis sector makes a significant contribution to the advancement of a sustainable dairy industry.

Speakers demonstrated that within-laboratory initiatives reduce the burden on the environment through the use of the ISO 14001 standard as well as through innovative means of recycling or reducing of laboratory consumables and reagents. Furthermore, specifically-developed new testing methodology was shown to also underpin wider sustainability initiatives by the dairy sector such as improving waste water management practices, and animal feeding practices.

Following on from the issues raised by Nocton Dairies' plans to build the country's largest dairy farm, UK welfare organisation, the RSPCA is calling for animal welfare to be a fundamental part of the planning process for new farms.

In Sweden, Arla has announced a proposed merger with Milko, as the result of the latter's critical financial situation.

Also in Sweden, a survey of dairy farms has revealed the most common pathogens in sub-clinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria.

And finally, scientists may have a revolutionary new way of measuring how much of the potent greenhouse gas, methane, is produced by cows and other ruminants, thanks to a surprising discovery in their manure.

Researchers from the UK's University of Bristol and the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research Centre in Ireland have found a link between methane production and the level of a compound called archaeol in the faeces of several animals, including cows.

The compound could potentially be developed as a biomarker to estimate the methane production from domestic and wild animals, allowing scientists to assess more accurately the contribution that ruminants make to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Jackie Linden

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This Week's Feature Articles

We have 3 new features this week:

Investigating Brucellosis: Prevalence And Attitudes
Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK and Kafrelsheikh University in Egypt look at brucellosis in Egypt, its prevalence, risk factors and livestock owners' knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Russia Dairy And Products Semi Annual
Inventories of cows in milk will decrease slightly but continued improvements in productivity and increased feed availability should increase fluid milk production by 1.5 per cent in 2012, according to this latest GAIN report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

UK Beef Production Forecast To Fall
More male dairy calves are being reared to be finished as young bulls for slaughter, writes TheCattleSite editor-in-chief, Chris Harris.

Company News

Biomin Sponsors Agricultural Exhibition
CZECH REPUBLIC - Biomin, a leading company in animal health and nutrition, were proud to be the main sponsor for the traditional agricultural exhibition in Oparany, held in May.

Biomin Holds First Mycotoxin Awareness Forum
MYANMAR – Biomin's distributor in Myanmar, Min Ye Tin of Yè Group, recently organised the 1st Myanmar Mycotoxin Awareness Forum.

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News