Animal Health

The emphasis of this division’s research is on the causal agents of diseases, preventive measures, and complementary and alternative medicine for animals. Research is being conducted on the efficacy, and also the economic feasibility, of homeopathic, phytotherapeutic, and other complementary treatment methods in animals. With the aim of preventing diseases and understanding health mechanisms in livestock herds, the division is studying the various factors responsible for the health of domestic animals. With holistic animal health concepts, diseases should be preventable in practice. The research findings are applied to herd management and holistic animal health concepts.

Team

Team of the division Animal Health

Publications

Publications of the division in the Organic Eprints Database

Research areas

Complementary and alternative medicine for animals
Epidemiology and development of preventative strategies for animal health
Animal health and quality

Complementary and alternative medicine for animals

Animals in organic operations are usually treated with orthodox veterinary measures when they get diseases. There is much interest, however, in alternative or complementary treatment methods. The gap between their widespread use and the lack of scientific proof of their activity and efficacy, however, creates a need for basic research, which must be conducted in controlled systems under laboratory conditions. Testing such medications under field conditions is also essential. Hence the goal of this module is to demonstrate the activity of potentized substances on biological systems in the laboratory and to test the efficacy of residue-free, natural medications on diseased animals. Upto- date recommendations will be based on practical experience and backed up by controlled, scientific methods. Emphasis will be on field studies to assess the applicability of the experimentally tested protocols.
Contact: Peter Klocke, Christophe Notz and Ariane Maeschli

Epidemiology and development of preventative strategies for animal health

The health of farm animals is influenced by many factors. These include the environment, feeding, husbandry, social behaviour in the herd/flock, and management and care provided by humans. The scientific analysis of all of these factors and their effect on animal health will provide valuable information for both consultancy and practical applications. In these analyses, we will determine which factors contribute to health in farm animal herds/flocks (epidemiology). FiBL’s „pro-Q“ pilot farm network with over 150 dairy operations will serve as a database and foundation for such analyses. The goal is the elaboration of factor catalogues that focus specifically on the unique situations and conditions of organic production. The results of the epidemiological research will build on these catalogues and serve as the foundation for holistic, practice-oriented animal health programmes designed to prevent animal diseases. The rudiments of such animal health programmes are already in place in the area of udder health and they will be further developed to include other disease complexes and animal species.
Contact: Peter Klocke and Sylvia Ivemeyer

Animal health and quality

The knowledge gained is being implemented in herd/flock health management systems. Farmers who sign up to such management systems benefit from comprehensive, holistic animal health consultancy. This involves close cooperation between the farmers and extension services and veterinarians. The special feature of the systems is that they combine animal welfare, disease prevention and complementary medicine with a high quality of milk and meat. The management programmes are applicable to different production systems (organic, IP, conventional), different problem areas (udder health, fertility) and different animal species. Special emphasis is also placed on the profitability and sustainability of livestock management.
Contact: Christophe Notz and Michael Walkenhorst