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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294712
Title: Standardization of health data – ICAR guidelines including health key

Author
item STOCK, KATHARINA - United Information Systems Livestock Wv (VIT)
item Cole, John
item PRYCE, JENNIE - Department Of Primary Industries
item GENGLER, NICOLAS - University Of Liege
item BRADLEY, ANDREW - Quality Milk Management Services, Ltc
item ANDREWS, LUCY - Holstein Uk
item HERINGSTAD, BJORG - Norwegian University Of Life Sciences
item EGGER-DANNER, CHRISTA - Central Association Of Austrian Cattle Breeders(ZAR)

Submitted to: International Committee on Animal Recording(ICAR)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2013
Publication Date: 5/29/2013
Citation: Stock, K., Cole, J.B., Pryce, J., Gengler, N., Bradley, A., Andrews, L., Heringstad, B., Egger-Danner, C. 2013. Standardization of health data. ICAR guidelines including health key. International Committee on Animal Recording(ICAR). Technical Series 17:75–81. 2013.

Interpretive Summary: Improvement of animal health requires knowledge about current practices and reliable descriptive tools. In dairy herds, health monitoring is gaining importance to ensure sustainable and economical milk production in accordance with consumer expectations. Standardized recording of health data is important for achieving these objectives. The ICAR Functional Traits Working Group has compiled guidelines for recording, evaluation, and genetic improvement of health traits, and they were adopted by ICAR in June 2012. The key for health data recording is to use a hierarchical structure that makes it possible to record different levels of detail. These details can range from a comprehensive record of all organ systems and types of diseases down to a simple observation of, for example, difficulty walking. Important features are compatibility with other recording systems and broad usability as a reference regardless of specific applications of the data and details of data collection methods. Input can range from very specific diagnoses of veterinarians to very general diagnoses or observations by producers, and the unique coding of clearly defined health incidents minimizes the risk of misinterpretation. The overall quality and success of health monitoring are positively associated with the appropriate use of data standards and recording tools.

Technical Abstract: Systematic improvement of animal health requires knowledge about the status quo and reliable measures to characterize it. In dairy herds, health monitoring has gained importance to ensure sustainable and cost-efficient milk production in accordance with public expectations. In this context, standardized recording of health data is essential for comparability and interpretability of health-related analyses, implying the need for generally accepted and clear guidelines. To assist with the implementation of health monitoring schemes and encourage harmonization, the ICAR Functional Traits Working Group has compiled the ICAR guidelines for Recording, Evaluation and Genetic Improvement of Health Traits, which were approved in June 2012. Disease diagnoses and observations of impaired health can be classified as direct health data, providing the basis for targeted approaches to improve animal health. Data sources need to be taken into account because of their impact on information content and specificity. The key for health data recording is characterized by a hierarchical structure that makes it possible to record with varying levels of detail, and includes comprehensive recording options with coverage of all organ systems and types of diseases. Important features are compatibility with other recording systems and broad usability as a reference regardless of specific intentions and contexts of health data collection. Input can range from very specific diagnoses of veterinarians to very general diagnoses or observations by producers, and the unique coding of clearly defined health incidents minimizes the risk of misinterpretations and facilitates analyses of different types of health data. The overall quality and success of health monitoring are substantially influenced by appropriate use of standards and available recording tools, implying the need for tailored support particularly in the implementation phase. In integrated concepts, specific qualifications of professions can be used synergistically to further standardized recording of health data and thereby benefit efficiency of animal health improvement on farm and population level.