Discussion
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How fertile can we get our cows to be?
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| Moderator |
John Mee, Ireland
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| Briefing |
The target pregnancy rate in dairy cows is frequently cited as 25-30%. Can this seemingly low target be significantly increased? |
| Discussant 1 |
Hormonal treatments, genetics and better nutrition have shifted the downward spiral
Robert Smith, UK |
| Discussant 2 |
Increasing milk yields, bring certain fertility problems
Patrice Humblot, Sweden
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Debate
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Heat stress and reproduction
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Moderator
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Zvi Roth, Israel
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| Briefing |
Can we reduce the negative impact of heat stress on fertility?
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Debater 1
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Use of hormonal treatments and environmental cooling can revert the decline
Israel Flamembaum, Israel
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Debater 2
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Genetic can help reduce heat stress
Adriano Seddon, Brazil
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Debate
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To treat or not to treat mastitis? The role of diagnostics
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| Moderator |
Gabriel Leitner, Israel |
| Briefing |
Despite the technological developments in mastitis detection, deciding to treat a case of clinical mastitis is still associated with a certain subjectivity |
| Debater 1 |
Diagnostic tools now allow for treatment decisions to be nearly automated as well
Ori Koren, Israel |
| Debater 2 |
On-farm identification systems, may optimize and rationalize treatment decisions, with reductions in costs and antibiotic use
Daryl Nydam, USA
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Debate
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Can we obtain premium milk directly on farm?
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| Moderator |
Alan Kelly, Ireland |
| Briefing |
Milk is not all the same. Some is better to produce cheese, some to consume as milk, and some has functional properties that make it attractive to certain consumers or industries |
| Debater 1 |
Separating these different types of milk on farm would create added value to milk
Gil Katz, Israel
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| Debater 2 |
Milk is a commodity - will consumers be willing to pay for certain properties?
Ofir Benjamin, Israel
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Debate
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Should we house calves individually or in group
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| Moderator |
Marina Von Keyserlingk, Canada |
| Briefing |
Housing calves individually may protect them from calf diarrhea, but are we actually reducing their resistance to disease by doing that? And how is their welfare and consumer views affected by individual housing? |
| Debater 1 |
Good welfare is only possible for live calves – individual housing helps preventing neonatal diarrhea
Hen Henig, Israel |
| Debater 2 |
Stronger, fitter, happier calves (and consumers) are only possible with social housing of calves
Arcangelo Gentile, Italy |
Debate
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Should we use NSAIDs more?
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| Briefing |
Preventing inflammation and pain, increases performance and animal welfare. Should we make more extensive use of NSAIDS? |
| Debater 1 |
Lameness
John Remnant, UK
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| Debater 2 |
Respiratory disease
Gilad Faktor, Israel |
Debate
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Is it inevitable to have lame cows?
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| Moderator |
John Remnant, UK |
| Briefing |
One of the main reasons why we cull cows, and probably the first reason for chronic pain in cattle. Can we effectively prevent lameness in cattle? |
| Debater 1 |
Improved housing and functional hoof trimming |
| Debater 2 |
Control of digital dermatitis |
Discussion
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Can we successfully prevent metabolic disease?
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| Moderator |
Daryl Nydam, USA |
| Briefing |
Much focus is devoted to metabolic disease in the transition period. Can we prevent it without resorting to significant inputs in supplements or expensive preventive strategies? |
| Discussant 1 |
Nutrition
Robert Smith, UK |
| Discussant 2 |
Genetics
Patrice Humblot, Sweden
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Discussion
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Can we get cows to live longer?
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| Briefing |
Should it be considered normal that dairy cows do not reach their 3rd lactation? |
| Discussant 1 |
Productivity has increased
John Remnant, UK
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| Discussant 2 |
Consumers and others want that to change
Gabriel Leitner, Israel |
Discussion
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Are funds for research in cattle related topics, going for the right questions?
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| Moderator |
John Mee, Ireland |
| Briefing |
Research funds are provided not necessarily to the most immediate questions for farmers or practitioners. Is the gap between researchers or funding bodies, and farm reality too big? Or are strategic questions of greater interest? |
| Discussant 1 |
Academia/funding bodies
Haim Leibovich, Israel |
Discussant 2
Debate
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Farmer/veterinary practitioner
Practice tips
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| Moderator |
Arcangelo Gentile, Italy |
| Briefing |
Easy solutions for everyday problems |
| Debater 1 |
What is the latest scientific literature saying?
Ingrid Lorenz, Germany |
| Debater 2 |
What can years of experience contribute to solve the problems?
Yaniv Lavon, Israel |
Debate
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Vector-borne viral diseases: Is vaccination the right tool?
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| Briefing |
Climatic changes are originating a redistribution of arthropods, with vector-borne diseases emerging at an alarming pace. Can we be prepared for the next threat? |
| Debater 1 |
Contingency plans should include vaccination when new cases are declared
Yehuda Stram, Israel |
| Debater 2 |
Surveillance and slaughter of positive animals, along with animal movement restrictions will probably lead to a faster control
Maor Kedmi, Israel |
Debate
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How far can technology reduce labor and improve animal welfare?
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| Moderator |
Doron Bar, Israel |
| Briefing |
Growing farms and more expensive labor, lead to the need for automated detection of disease, but can machines do a better job than humans? |
| Debater 1 |
Early detection of disease and faster treatment will lead to increased animal welfare and farm profitability
Alon Arzi, Israel |
| Debater 2 |
Animal welfare monitoring could be automated in the future, but on some countries unemployment may be an issue if machines replace man
Ricardo Bexiga, Portugal |