Mastitis and farmer mindset : towards effective communication strategies to improve udder health management on Dutch dairy farms

摘要: Mastitis (udder inflammation) is considered one of the main health issues in dairy industry. It a costly disease that also has an impact on animal welfare, milk quality, and farmers’ pleasure their work. Furthermore, use antimicrobial treatments as result mastitis – biggest contributor to antibiotic industry undesirable due risk both contamination development bacterial resistance. Consequently, prevention relevant for society, industry, farmers. Why some farmers, even though it would improve results, do not implement effective management practices always known. assumed ‘farmer mindset’, including attitudes, beliefs, values, knowledge, perceived norms, self efficacy, influences behavior therefore herds’ udder status. Worldwide, several projects have started influence health. In 2005, Dutch Udder Health Centre (UGCN) was established execute national program five years, aiming at better implementation current knowledge by deploying various communication strategies reach farmers change mindset. This thesis aims understand mindset regarding study efficacy strategies. studies presented this thesis, variety qualitative quantitative methods were used, combining social veterinary sciences gather data farmer towards interdisciplinary practice-based approach, initiated basis observations experiences during execution or emerging questions followed from previous studies. Results recommendations derived reported UGCN much possible implemented further program; led strong interaction between science practice. The results show decisive factor prevention. particular, level problems (i.e. “Do I problem?”) well preventive measures “Can solve problem easily?”) are important determinants need be addressed Veterinarians can intermediaries about improvement, provided they aware role proactive advisor apply skills. To effective, should more than distribute technical information best Prevention complex diseases, such mastitis, requires customized integrated approach stakeholders different scientific disciplines. Such programs supported combination policy farm long term, because example price, quota, financial incentives quality bonuses penalties, taken into account part of, influenced by, wide societal institutional context. provides insight management, way these affected findings contribute optimization future designed control prevent livestock diseases.