Improving bovine productions through the development of rational and innovative health approaches at low impact on environment

Aim of the present project is to define the “best-practice guidelines” to be applied in case of infection in dairy cattle herds. The effectiveness of the new defined management options will be assessed by evaluating the trend of the use of antimicrobials during the entire duration of the project. In addition, phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistances will be monitored in the microbial community of the farm and compared with those recorded in “wild type” microorganisms and in microbial communities residing in less anthropic ecological niches. The classification of the level of antimicrobial resistances detected in the herd would enhance the value of the final product for consumers. At the end of the project, the developed "rational" guidelines might be recognized by certification bodies.