Health status of dairy herds converting from conventional to organic dairy farming.

摘要

Animal health records from 11 dairy farms in England and Wales either converting (8 farms) or recently converted from conventional to organic farming were examined for 1993 to 1995. No major health problems were recorded. Clinical mastitis was the main problem on most farms. Cases were treated with alternative remedies or antibiotics. The mean incidence of lameness was lower than on conventional farms and the incidences of parturient paresis and post-calving problems were low. There were large differences between farms in the methods used for the detection and treatment of specific ailments and the willingness to use alternative therapies rather than antibiotics.