Teaming up for animal health
GD-magazine - November 2017 - No. 2
update
INTRODUCING PLEXUS
A revolutionary software tool
BUILDING THE FUTURE A brand-new laboratory
TRAINING
From the Netherlands to Ukraine
A gift for you!
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GD Animal Health, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Netherlands, GD Animal Health, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Netherlands, GD Animal Health, P.O.33 Box AA Deventer, Animal The Health, P.O. Box T. 9,+31 7400(0)570-63 AA Deventer, TheF. Netherlands, GD Animal Health, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA GD Deventer, The Netherlands, T. +31 (0)570-63 91,9, F.7400 +31 (0)570-63 41 04 Netherlands, 33 91, +31 (0)570-63 41 04 T. +31 (0)570-63 33 91, +31F. (0)570-63 41T.04+31 (0)570-63info@gdanimalhealth.com 33 91, F. +31 (0)570-63 41 04 T. +31 (0)570-63 33F.91, +31 (0)570-63 41 04 www.gdanimalhealth.com/consultancy/udder-health, www.gdanimalhealth.com/consultancy/udder-health, info@gdanimalhealth.com alth.com www.gdanimalhealth.com/consultancy/udder-health, www.gdanimalhealth.com/consultancy/udder-health, info@gdanimalhealth.com info@gdanimalhealth.com www.gdanimalhealth.com/consultancy/udder-health, info@gdanimalhealth.com
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foreword
PROFIT FROM HEALTHY LIVESTOCK What a lot can happen over the course of six months. In the run-up to this edition of the Update, too, we’ve been very busy. As you may know, at GD Animal Health we are very active worldwide. With more and more countries being involved in our projects, however, it has become increasingly apparent that we can’t be everywhere at the same time. Not ideal when you want to support your clients and help them grow their business. At times like these, a few extra hands are therefore always welcome. With this in mind and taking into account an increasingly international market and the desire to keep pace with software innovations, we developed Plexus (page 6) in a multidisciplinary team.
Plexus is a unique software tool for big integrations and groups of livestock farmers, in which you can enter all your data. In recent months, we have introduced this unique software tool at trade fairs in Russia and China and we have plans to further extend the Plexus tour next year to trade fairs in Abu Dhabi and Vietnam. During the tour, we will be happy to spend a moment with interested parties to calculate how Plexus could benefit them. Please visit our websites for more information: English: www.gdanimalhealth.com/plexus Chinese: www.gdanimalhealth.com/cn Russian: www.gdanimalhealth.com/en/ru Jan Willem de Vries, Manager International and Large Accounts
content 04 Building the future - a tour through the new laboratory
06 Introducing Plexus - a revolutionary
CONTACT INFORMATION GD ANIMAL HEALTH
way to improve animal health
If you want to know more about what GD Animal Health can do for you, please contact one of our staff members, responsible for international sales: Jan Willem de Vries Manager International and Large Accounts
Fanny Nieuwenhuis Account manager
08 Sustainable dairy training Ukraine
04
10 Department Small Ruminant Health: advising abroad
jw.devries@gdanimalhealth.com
f.nieuwenhuis@gdanimalhealth.com
Annemiek Kolkman Senior account manager
Ellen Koetsier Sales support
a.kolkman@gdanimalhealth.com
support@gdanimalhealth.com
Eveline Peereboom Business manager
e.peereboom@gdanimalhealth.com
support@gdanimalhealth.com
11 News and communication 12 GD specialist: Manon Houben 06
Monique Kleinlugtenbeld Sales support
Phone In the Netherlands 0900-1770, Outside the Netherlands +31 (0)570-63 33 91 Fax + 31 (0)570-63 41 04 | E-mail info@gdanimalhealth.com Website www.gdanimalhealth.com | Mail ADDRESS GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands | Delivery address for samples and post mortem material GD, CMD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ Deventer, the Netherlands.
08
Update, November 2017 - 3
TOUR THROUGH RENEWED GD-LAB
Building the future After a thorough preparation and rebuilding for a year and a half, GD Animal Health’s brand-new laboratory is finally ready. A result to be proud of! But what does a new lab like this actually look like, and what had to be taken into account during construction? You can read about it here!
Innovation The previous lab was built in 1992. Unsurprisingly, innovation did not come to a halt during these 25 years: new equipment was purchased, and knowledge improved. But the installations, such as heating, air-conditioning and ventilations, were due for a serious update. Because such extensive renovations were necessary, the decision was made to construct an entirely new laboratory. Everything was restructured and GD Animal Health is on the way to becoming the lab of the future. This fresh start, full of innovative ideas, has given the company a fresh look. And this fresh look doesn’t just benefit the employees, but also the customers.
Efficiency While drawing up the lab plan, one thing stood out as being very important: the efficient use of space. Less walls, logical connections between departments, and organised workplaces. This way, results get to you faster.
4 - Update, November 2017
Anne Taverne, editor
Sustainability Naturally, in a lab of this size, sustainability is of key importance. A variety of ventilation systems are used, and they need a lot of heat. This heat is reclaimed from the ventilated air and reused. The new media cooling system also contributes to making the lab more sustainable. The media preparation department uses a refrigerator that is connected to the bacteriology department. This can be used to store growth media. A glass door allows personnel in the bacteriology department to see exactly what is in the refrigerator. This way, doors do not need to be left open, and walking routes are shortened.
from the lab
International focus GD Animal Health also supports international laboratories. That’s why we offer proficiency testing schemes (PTS). By using this inter-laboratory study, participants will be able to determine the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests and to monitor the laboratories’ continuing performance. PTS is accredited according to the international standard ISO 17043:2010. Participating could be useful to evaluate the performance of the laboratory, to maintain/ achieve the ISO 17025 accreditation, to provide additional confidence, to identify inter-laboratory differences or to identify problems within your lab. Do you want to participate? Visit www.gdanimalhealth.com/ pts for the current time schedule and apply directly online.
In addition, our lab also facilitates the processing of FTA cards sent in from abroad. FTA cards are designed for the collection of biological samples for subsequent DNA and RNA analysis. Samples on FTA cards can be submitted quickly and easily from any country. The main benefits of using this method are: 1) No import permit is needed; 2) Samples can be submitted via regular post; 3) Low transportation costs; 4) Transportation at room temperature; 5) No risk of spreading infectious agents due to the chemicals included.
Reliability When walking through the corridors, one thing is clear: reliability is important. The new lab meets, among other things, ISO certification and is demonstrably reliable. By providing our clients with extra services, such as advice from our specialists, we offer a complete product range. Every year, GD Animal Health is audited and receives new quality recommendations. By taking note of this advice, we can keep improving.
Would you like to order or submit FTA cards? Visit our website for more information or send an e-mail to support@gdanimalhealth.com. www.gdanimalhealth.com/lab-services/fta-cards
Update, November 2017 - 5
GD INTRODUCES PLEXUS - PROFIT FROM HEALTHY LIVESTOCK
A revolutionary way to improve animal health The growing demand worldwide for safe and affordable food represents an enormous challenge. You know it, and we know it too. There are a few things though, like insight into production processes and the current animal health situation, that will enable you to take the actions required to ensure an effective strategy. That’s why we’ve been working on a unique software tool that will make this easier for you: Plexus. Let’s explain how Plexus can help boost your profit. Important insights into animal health can be gained by monitoring, which includes routine sampling and analyses by animal health experts. As an integration, you already have a lot of data: flock composition, vaccination schemes, lab tests, audit results,
antibiotic use, slaughter results, and so on. However, this may not always be as well organised as you would like it to be. “Our customers experience a lot of inconvenience when it comes to gathering and analysing data relating to their production process,” explains Ruth Bouwstra, head of the Poultry Department at GD Animal Health. “Data could be recorded much more efficiently and effectively. We decided to help and developed a software tool which enables you to manage all your data in one place, from flock and farm information to antibiotic use and from lab results to vaccination schemes. You can now analyse the impact of interventions in your production chain much better.”
PLEXUS
6 - Update, November 2017
PLEXUS
Anne Taverne, editor
PLEXUS IN FOUR STEPS
1. Combine your data
2. Turn health insights into action
Monitoring animal health is something that is very familiar to GD Animal Health. GD monitors the animal health of all livestock in the Netherlands: 12.4 million pigs, 4.3 million cows and more than 90 million chickens. Dutch farms must comply with high quality standards and strict rules for livestock diseases and antibiotics.
“What this means for you? More revenue by selling meat at a higher price range, whilst saving money in your production chain.”
3. Grow healthy livestock
4. Make more profit
“The system provides insight into animal health statuses and the effect of actions taken, like vaccination effectiveness. And it advises you on how to improve animal health. As you know, the health of your livestock has important consequences. Healthy broilers require fewer antibiotics and they perform better with less effort. Many big clients like fast food chains demand high standards when it comes to meat. Plexus is a great way to gather data easily and show your flock’s health status,” concludes Bouwstra. “What does that mean for you? More revenue by selling meat at a higher price range, whilst saving money in your production chain.” MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THIS UNIQUE TOOL COULD
WORK FOR YOU? VISIT WWW. GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/PLEXUS OR CONTACT US VIA SUPPORT@GDANIMALHEALTH.COM
– Ruth Bouwstra, DVM, PhD
Plexus is based on this experience and has been especially designed for large integrations. Bouwstra: “Plexus makes it possible to take action to improve animal health. You can benchmark different locations, compare various vaccination strategies and identify the reasons for antibiotic use.” This brings new markets within reach, especially if you can support your performance with solid data, provided by Plexus. You will also automatically receive suggestions on how to improve your working method and be presented with trends and correlations. If you wish, GD Animal Health’s specialists can help you monitor these matters and give you personal advice.
Update, November 2017 - 7
SUSTAINABLE DAIRY TRAINING IN UKRAINE The Dutch Ukrainian Dairy Centre (DUDC) project is a threeyear project of the Dutch Government to support the Ukrainian dairy industry. Its aim is to increase the quantity of milk produced, improve the quality of milk and introduce models for controlling cattle disease. The project has led to the development of three Dairy Training Clusters (Lviv, Sumy and Bila Tserkva/Uman) and a Central Coordination Unit in Kiev. GD Animal Health is one of the four Dutch partner companies leading this project. The project was launched on 1 April 2016 (more information: https://dudc.info/en). The main aims of the DUDC project This project focuses on institutional improvement of the dairy sector in Ukraine to improve animal health, increase the quantity and quality of dairy products, and improve food safety. Veterinarians, farmers, lab technicians, managers and employees
8 - Update, November 2017
active in the Ukrainian dairy sector receive sustainable theoretical and practical training from Dutch cattle experts. GD Animal Health - its role and tasks The improvement of the institutional settings determines the success in respect of quantity, quality and safety of dairy products. GD Animal Health’s focus in this project is on improvements in milking procedures, udder health, reducing the incidence of (subclinical) mastitis and the use of antibiotics, implementation of disease control programmes and improvement of laboratory capacity and quality. GD Animal Health’s theoretical and practical training incorporates the ‘Train-the-Trainers’ (T-to-T) approach as well as the participation of students, university lecturers and business employees. The training involves local partner farms, universities, associations, governmental bodies, milk processors and other partners, with the aim of ensuring that more milk of higher quality is produced in Ukraine by healthy cows.
Gerard Wellenberg, PhD, BSc - project support international and Linda van Wuyckhuise, ECBHM, DVM - cattle veterinarian
Monitoring cattle disease; Leptospira hardjo seminar The implementation of disease control programmes will result in improved animal health status (as part of the improvement of the institutional settings of the dairy sector). In this project, the control of leptospirosis (Leptospira hardjo) serves as a good model for monitoring and controlling cattle diseases. The consortium’s aim is to show how the model could work and how a system of interrelationships between market players (stakeholders) can be created. Prior to the start of the implementation of this model, a curriculum (roadmap) was written describing a programme for monitoring and controlling L. hardjo infections in Ukraine. This bacterium can cause mastitis and abortion in cattle, but it can also infect humans (zoonotic disease). In addition, GD Animal Health expert Linda van Wuyckhuise participated in a leptospirosis seminar at the Bila Tserkva University in Ukraine, and organised a seminar on L. hardjo in collaboration with stakeholders in the Ukrainian dairy sector. This seminar was intended to increase awareness and generate discussion regarding the content of the curriculum, as the support of all partners within the dairy sector is required to be successful in the control of animal diseases and the improvement of food safety and animal health. This L. hardjo control programme may also serve as a model for the implementation of control programmes for other cattle diseases, such as salmonellosis, BVD, brucellosis and tuberculosis. GD Animal Health training on laboratory capacity and quality In the EU, a considerable attention is paid to food safety and animal health. To achieve improvement in food safety and animal health issues, it is not only important to create awareness, but diagnostic tools also need to be successful. To this end, Gerard Wellenberg, project support international, provided the Center of Veterinary Diagnostics (CVD) in Kiev with training on the implementation and validation of a Leptospira hardjo antibody ELISA and on ISO17025 Quality Control and
Quality Management in relation to the diagnosis of L. hardjo infections. GD Animal Health training on Udder Health, Mastitis Control and Reducing the use of Antibiotics To improve animal health and the food safety of dairy products and beef, a curriculum was developed to improve biosecurity and udder health (implementation of hygiene rules), to control mastitis (prevention and treatment) and to introduce judicious use of antibiotics. A reduction in mastitis cases will reduce the use of antibiotics, and this will improve the quality and safety of dairy products. The curriculum describes the procedures during the milking process that are most important for improving the quantity and quality of milk, and for reducing the incidence of mastitis. On June 13-15, a 3-day training session on Udder Health and Mastitis Control was given at the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University (BNAU), and two dairy farms were visited for practical training. On day 1, specialists Hans Miltenburg and Ryan van Egmond of GD Animal Health explained in great detail issues such as somatic cell count (bulk milk SCC), plate count (hygiene and storage), proper milking methods and the relevant methods for identifying mastitis agents. On the days 2 and 3, the experts ran practical workshops on housing, feeding, milking parlour check, mastitis treatment, and so on.
Meeting with staff of the University of Sumy
Update, November 2017 - 9
Piet Vellema, DVM, PhD, Dip. ECSRHM - specialist in Small Ruminant Health Care
DEPARTMENT OF SMALL RUMINANT HEALTH
Advising abroad Since 2015, employees in our Department of Small Ruminant Health have participated in large sheep and dairy goat projects in different countries. In these projects, we have helped clients set up and expand their farms. After a comprehensive inventory of the aims, we advise on opportunities and threats. But how does that work in practice? To follow animal movements in and around a farm and manage information about breeding, production and animal health, we advise using at least one electronic ear tag to identify individual animals on such large farms. Registration preferably takes place in a database using a management programme tailored to the requirements of the client. Individual, group, age and breed performances can be analysed on the basis of the collected data.
Piet Vellema is the head of GD Animal Health’s Department of Small Ruminant Health. In 1996 he promoted with his thesis ‘Cobalt/Vitamin B12 deficiency in lambs on pasture. A randomized trail.’ In 2008, he was appointed a Diplomat of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management.
Animal health management protocol For large sheep and dairy goat farms, a schematic animal health management protocol is a prerequisite. Based on our experiences, a preliminary protocol is drafted and discussed with the client. Such a protocol usually includes at least the following components: 1. Quarantine facility and measures 2. Future animal health status and measures to maintain this status 3. Farm health plan and farm illness treatment plan 4. Vaccination scheme 5. Monitoring and surveillance plan Monitoring and surveillance A vaccination scheme mainly depends on the local and regional disease situation, so an inventory of this situation is usually one of the activities of GD Animal Health. Based on this information, a vaccination scheme is advised and discussed with the client. Detailed monitoring and surveillance is important, with the possibilities, facilities and expertise being key to such a monitoring and surveillance system. Because there are usually several uncertainties regarding mineral requirements, measurement of the mineral content of the soil and feed is also recommended. The mineral status of different groups of animals should also be regularly checked, particularly during the first years. Following an analysis of the possibilities and requirements of a good monitoring and surveillance system, we can reach an agreement regarding further support. Improving the results on the farm With the expertise of three officially recognised European specialists in small ruminant health management, we can advise sheep and dairy goat farmers on large farms about implementing an animal health management protocol. The results of this system can be used in a management cycle aimed at improving animal health and welfare, increasing production and profitability and reducing disease and other losses. HELP? CONTACT US FREE OF OBLIGATION VIA WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CONTACT
10 - Update, November 2017
news & communication
Successful World Veterinary Poultry Association The WVPA (World Veterinary Poultry Association) conference in Edinburgh, Scotland was a great success, and was attended by more than 2,100 delegates from the poultry sector. GD Animal Health specialists gave a total of eight (keynote) lectures, while our company was represented every day from 4 to 8 September, in the booth at the exhibition hall and via scientific posters.
New PTS dates
On-site training to improve udder health and milk quality Our specialists not only share their knowledge and experience within the Netherlands, but also abroad. In October, they visited Ukraine to support veterinarians, advisors and farmers during a three-day Udder Health and Milk Quality training course. Participants learned about mycoplasma, fighting and controlling mastitis, somatic cell count, antibiotics, dry cow therapy, milking procedures, nutrition and heat stress. During farm visits, they were able to experience how the theory works in practice. There was a lot of interest in the training; it was oversubscribed.
New data for Poultry training Our Poultry training, with its lectures, case studies and post-mortem demonstrations, is always greatly appreciated by international poultry veterinarians and poultry farm managers. Are you interested in experiencing it yourself? The next training is scheduled for 12 to 16 March 2018. REGISTER VIA WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/ACADEMY
Let’s go digital Do you prefer to read this magazine online? Send your email address to support@gdanimalhealth.com and we will send our future Updates digitally.
Pan European Consortium PRRS
Our international proficiency testing schemes will be organised in 2018 again. Do you want to evaluate the performance of your laboratory? Find product information and the time schedule on our website, and apply online. MORE INFO WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/PTS
Dijkman wins 2017 Bart Rispens Research Award We are proud to announce that a paper by Remco Dijkman PhD, molecular biologist of the GD R&D department, has been selected as the best publication in Avian Pathology for the years 2015-2016! This was officially disclosed during the gala dinner of the WVPA Conference 2017 in Edinburgh on Thursday 7 September. The Bart Rispens Research Award is given biennially to the first author of the best paper published in the WVPA journal Avian Pathology. Dijkman’s paper ‘Development and evaluation of a multi-locus sequence typing scheme for Mycoplasma synoviae’. Avian Pathol (2016), 45, 4, 426-442. Co-authors A. Feberwee, W.J.M. Landman, … has been selected as the best publication.
GD Animal Health has been invited to take part in a Pan European Consortium for PRRS. The consortium aims at bringing together sequences of PRRS viruses. Laboratories and universities all across Europe are currently considering their contribution to this database. Combining the information from all sources will make it possible to better understand the epidemiology and evolution of PRRS viruses in Europe. The consortium will base its research on sequences that meet minimum standards. These standards have been met by GD Animal Health.
Update, November 2017 - 11
GD specialist: Manon Houben The specialists of GD Animal Health focus their daily work on gathering and spreading their extensive knowledge of animal diseases. We pay special attention to a specific sector in each edition of the GD Update. This time: Manon Houben, Manager Porcine Health Department. She was recently appointed a Diplomat of the European College of Porcine Health Management. Her opinions make her a force to be reckoned with globally. She claims not to be overly proud of her new status. “Being proud is not part of my makeup,” explains Manon. “I did find it an interesting opportunity for delving deeper into and getting even more involved in swine health management, though. It’s great to be able to prove that I’ve done this by passing an exam.” Internationally accepted The title is internationally accepted and registered. “It makes it easier for me to establish contact in other countries with people who do not know me yet; I can easily show them what I do and what I’m good at.” Her new specialty, network, and knowledge of other countries enable her to support GD Animal Health’s international programme well. Involved and supportive On behalf of GD Animal Health, she is currently supervising a large integration in China with a view to significant expansion of the pig population and improvement of its level of health. “When in China, I inspect locations and talk to all those involved: from designers and builders of piggeries to the people who work there. We talk about and discuss the best way of making a design, for example.” Back home in the Netherlands, she also provides support and keeps regular contact. Total package What makes disseminating Dutch know-how so special, says Manon, is the total package she can offer. “It’s not only veterinary knowledge, but also knowledge from the laboratory, which means that we can help with the selection of important tests and advise on how to use these tests for their specific objectives. This is a unique combination. Consultants aren’t an uncommon sight abroad, but they aren’t backed up by the kind of enormous network of laboratories that we have. This, in my opinion, is the strength of this international programme.”
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