A One Health Approach To Sustainable Dairy Farming And Dairy Food Safety

As the global population approaches 9.7 billion inhabitants by the year 2050, humanity faces enormous challenges to feed, house and provide basic living requirements for the growing population. This is further complicated by political and economic unrest exacerbated by climate change. In order to address these issues, proper land and water management is vital to sustainable agriculture in both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, development of agriculture to increase crop production must also take into account the nutritional needs of families, especially children and infants, to alleviate hunger, malnutrition and improve health globally. Global health is not solely focused on human health, in this endeavor of feeding a growing population and improving human health, we must not forget that we are intrinsically linked to a vast network that is connected to global populations of humans, animals and ecosystems. The basic requirements of healthy living are to have access to clean water, clean food and a sanitary living environment. This applies to humans, agriculturally important livestock as well as wildlife. This dissertation outlines a One-Health/One-Medicine approach to dairy management and dairy food safety with the approach that food safety starts on the farm. Chapter One introduces the origins of One Health/One-Medicine as pioneered by Dr. Calvin Schwabe, a UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Professor. A historical review of dairy food safety and the path to current food safety regulations are covered. Dairy Dynamic Management is covered and its role in producing high quality dairy and ensuring dairy food safety. Finally, challenges currently facing dairy production are addressed, such as antibiotic resistant bacteria, animal health and their interconnectedness to human health. Chapter Two outlines the curriculum of Dairy Dynamic Management and its role in improving animal health, controlling mastitis and increasing dairy production in Rwanda, Africa. This curriculum focuses on managing on farm challenges to improve animal health and well being to achieve high quality milk and increased production such that farmers see an economic benefit. DDM types of strategies will be necessary to meet food security and reduce childhood and infant malnutrition. Chapter Three explores bacteriophage and endolysin use as alternatives to antibiotics to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. Here we identify nontraditional sources and methods of isolation of bacteriophages and endolysins and discuss their use in human health, animal health and biocontrol. Chapter Four explores the development of an organic based teat disinfectant for use in organic and sustainable dairy farming. As consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from and farmer practices, organic acids such as ascorbic acid and glycolic acid are appealing for teat dip formulations. Efficacy of these acids in conjunction with lysozyme was evaluated alone and in combination for inactivating mastitis pathogens S. aureus ATCC 25923 and E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 700728. Finally, Chapter Five synthesizes the results of this dissertation and the role these concepts play in sustainable dairy farming, improving One-Medicine/One-Health and future directions of this work.