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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 85 No. 4 992-1001
© 2002 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Farmers' Choice of Medical Treatment of Mastitis in Danish Dairy Herds Based on Qualitative Research Interviews

M. Vaarst 1, B. Paarup-Laursen 2, H. House 3, C. Fossing 1, and H. J. Andersen 4

1 Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele
2 Department of Ethnography and Social Anthropology, Moesgaard, Århus University, DK-8200 Århus
3 Research Centre for the Management of Animal Production and Health, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, P.O.Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele
4 Danish Dairy Board, Frederiks Allé 22, DK-8000 Århus C

A qualitative research study was conducted to describe and analyze farmers' perspectives on their own choices regarding decisions to have cows treated for mastitis. Through qualitative research interviews of 16 Danish dairy farmers, four levels of the decision-marking process used by farmers to decide whether or not to treat a cow with antibiotics were identified. Those levels were: 1) symptom level (seriousness of the mastitis case), 2) cow level (to the extent a cow fulfilled goals of the farmer and the herd), 3) herd level (the situation of the herd, e.g., in relation to milk quota), and 4) level of alternatives (whether the farmer regards such practices as blinding of teats of homoeopathy as serious alternatives to antibiotic treatment). All four levels could be recognized in all herds, but with differing weights and relative importance across herds. Directions of different possibilities within each level also varied among farmers. By identifying those four levels, a model for understanding the farmers' choices is provided. This provides background for dialogue with each farmer about choices in the context of each specific herd. It also provides insight into implications of mastitis treatments for effective treatment versus issues of antibiotic resistance when discussing choices on a more general level. Communication and understanding between farmers and their veterinarians and cattle-oriented advisors is essential. Farmers were shown to be coherent in their choices of treatment, but their decisions often seemed to differ from normal veterinary recommendations. Such differences have to be understood and implemented into effective decisions for the whole farm.

Key Words: Mastitis treatment • clinical mastitis • medical treatment • decision-making

Submitted on March 30, 2001
Accepted on October 19, 2001




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