mastitis focus grips
DESCRIPTION
An Integrated Extension and Education Program to Reduce Mastitis and Antimicrobial use - Dr. Ruben Martinez, Michigan State University - presented at the Quality Milk Alliance meeting at Michigan State in June 2013.TRANSCRIPT
Rubén Martinez
With the assistance of Marizel Davila Figueroa; William Escalante and Christian Ramirez
Annual Advisory Meeting
East Lansing, MI
June 18, 2013
Pre-evaluation of current behavioral barriers to adopting mastitis control protocolsTo understand current
behaviors/practices, knowledge, and beliefs about mastitis control and antimicrobial use on dairy farms Survey of dairy farms (pre-assessment)
Focus groups with owners/managers and employees
Sub-aim 1a
2
Conducted between from February through April in MI, PA & FLPiloted in MI (two focus groups in Dec,
2012)
Five in MI (additional Spanish-speaking groups)
Four in PA (additional Amish group)
Three in FL (three key groups)
Focus Groups
3
Employers/Managers
Spanish Speaking Employees
English Speaking Employees
Amish owners
Groups
4
Employees generally have an understanding of mastitis prevention
Various types of bedding are used (manure; sawdust; sand; water beds)
Milker training is inconsistent
Information usually obtained from veterinarians, other managers, newsletters, etc.
Mastitis = Farm costs
Key Findings
5
Cleanliness -- Farm-wide practices
Bedding
Milking practices Stripping
Dipping Variable across farms
Post-dipping
Sealing
Clean equipment (liner replacement, vacuum lines, milking machines)
Mastitis Prevention
6
Well functioning equipment (pulsators; regulators, etc.)
Avoid overcrowding
Use of free stalls
Minimizing stress
Close observation of cows
7
Mastitis Prevention Cont’d
Training of milkers is inconsistent and
usually done by co-workers (gap in views between workers & owners/mgrs)
Limited training provided by veterinarians, occasional workshops
Self learning through videos (limited use)
Manual (SOP; Protocol) for farm use (PA vets group)
Limited understanding of SCC 8
Training Issues
Mixed responses regarding communication
problems with Spanish-speaking
―Language a problem in other spheres‖ – getting to know them beyond workplace issues (―know their opinion of us‖)
Limited translators (usu. through a Latino manager)
Limited communications between work shifts
Latino workers reluctant to report problems (―don’t upset the boss‖; ―clam up when someone breaks something‖; seek to make temporary fixes)
9
Communication Issues
[Latino workers] don’t like gray areas—‖they
want a boss‖
Limited understanding of SCC among workers
Banding marking Inconsistent use of colors
Minimizes communications between shifts
Minimum communications between ―bosses and workers‖ – limited opportunities for worker input Meeting do not seek worker inputs 10
Communication Issues Cont’d
Meetings with management have limited discussion (esp. with Latino workers); characterized by scolding/accusatory climate
Veterinarians → Mgmt → Workers
Owners → Foremen → Workers
11
Communication Issues Cont’d
Veterinarians
Other Managers
Magazines/Newsletters
Local sales guys
Labels on meds
Nutritionist
Internet
12
Information Sources
Pressure on milkers to produce
Milkers get all the pressure—whole farm depends on them
Number of cows milked by employees suggested is 500 per shift (milking up to 800; maybe more)
―Quantity over Quality‖ climate; ―time pressures lead to shoddy work‖; distraction; ―Rapid pace leads to increased mastitis‖
13
Production Issues
Lack of consistency in cleanliness
Inconsistent practices across shifts
Protocol drift; ―employee drift‖ (85-95% consistency)
Dirty bedding (problems with wet, frozen, and recycled sawdust and sand; removing dirty sand and adding to sand)
Dirty equipment (machines, hoses, etc.)
Improper use of gloves
Heat and humidity/wet pastures (lead to spikes) 14
Mastitis Prevention Problems
Keeping sick cows too long (should sell
earlier despite productive cows)
Undermilking and overmilking identified as problems (workers)
Cross-cutting measures lead to employee turnover, which leads to spikes in mastitis
Knowing which antibiotic to use in treatment
Part-time employees are inconsistent
Lack of team effort on the farm
Investment in prevention (costs money)15
Mastitis Prevention Problems Cont’d
Punitive model of worker management Upper management only meets with milkers when things
have gone wrong (―save downed cows and never rewarded‖; ―not even a tap on the shoulder‖)
Limited incentive models SCC bonuses by wholesale buyers don’t always flow
down to workers
Lack of wage increases (unpaid time; 30 early arrival for shift communication – FL)
Limited time off (12 hour work-shifts; no OT pay; 6 day work week;)
Little or no breaks provided for workers16
Human Resource Mgmt
Cultural Gaps – instrumental (task-oriented vspersonal-oriented culture)
Language communication problems are basis for lack of communication on personal level with workers
Spanish speaking workers feel very isolated
―Workers are not respected‖ – leads to worker apathy (les vale); workers view themselves as invisible
Mutual respect is critical17
Issues Peculiar to Latino Workers
Gap between worker and owner/manager views -- latter view them as hardworking and reliable
Workers want increased understanding of the how and why of practices
18
Issues Peculiar to Latino Workers Cont’d
Mastitis = costs (important to avoid treatment costs)
Family farms take pride in quality – they are personally invested in the product
Profit rate is greater with low SCC
Employees want to perform well on behalf of employers
19
Values
Achieve consistency in training; provide
constant reminders of protocol consistency
Provide information/education to meet (Latino) managers/employees desire to know more
View industry in transitional phase from family farm to corporate businesses and the need for HR development
Find ways to improve communications
Translate materials (manuals) into Spanish20
Summary Recommendations
“Happy cows are productive cows”
21
Happy Workers are Productive Workers
22