VikingDefence™ reduces the risk of incidences of clinical diseases treated with antibiotics such as
mastitis and digital dermatitis, among others, by selecting directly for actual diseases registered under
the indexes: General Health, Hoof Health, and Udder Health.
VikingGenetics is launching VikingDefence™ as our solution to reduce the use of antibiotics in the dairy
cattle industry; in times when we are facing increased global concern about the use of antibiotics in
animals and the increase of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans.
“Overuse of antibiotics on animals create resistant bacteria. These bacteria can spread between animals
and from animals to humans. At VikingGenetics, we are conscious of the problem, and we have a long experience in breeding for healthy cows.
Therefore, we have the knowledge that backs up VikingDefence™, as a part of our reliable breeding program which farmers’ trust”, CEO of VikingGenetics, Rex A. Clausager, states.
In the Nordic countries, we have a central database where farmers (under supervision of veterinarians),
veterinarians and hoof trimmers record all clinical diseases on each and every single cow.
The NAV (Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation) is evaluating, investigating and following genetic trends to form
the best and most reliable breeding values. This valuable information is the foundation of
VikingDefence™ to identify the sires with the best genetic potential to transmit resistance to reproductive
and metabolic diseases as well as mastitis and hoof disorders.
“With the lowest use of antibiotics in the world, and the highest reliable breeding program,
VikingDefence™ is a trustful choice, regardless of the farmers’ production system,” Clausager adds.
Lowest use of antibiotics in the EU
The Nordic tradition in breeding for healthy cows is reflected in the latest report from the European
Medicines Agency (EMA), from 2016: “Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 29 European countries
in 2014”. EMA is a decentralized body of the European Union with primary responsibility for the
protection and promotion of public and animal health.
According to this agency, Sweden, Finland and Denmark are the EU member states with the lowest use of antibiotics in livestock, with an outstanding leading position.
The graphic on the next page explains how the amounts of veterinary antimicrobial agents sold in the
different countries are linked, among others, to the animal demographics in each country.
Population correction unit (PCU) is the term used as an estimate of the animal population in individual countries. In other words, it is animal biomass estimated based on the number of animals. 1 PCU equals 1 kg of living animal weight.
All figures are given in milligram (mg) of veterinary antimicrobials purchased for every kilogram (kg) of
livestock biomass. That way it is possible to compare the use of antibiotics across different countries.