Andalusia Investigates Possible Disease Behind Córdoba Milk Production Drop
Milk production has fallen at a number of dairy cattle holdings in Córdoba province, prompting an investigation by Andalusia’s regional agricultural authorities. The number of farms and animals involved has not been disclosed, and no estimate of the lost milk volume has been provided.
On September 16, the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the cooperative COVAP met farmers from the Valle de los Pedroches to discuss the situation. Officials presented recommended management measures and said that monitoring of the affected holdings was continuing.
Samples have been sent to Spain’s national reference laboratory. The testing is intended to establish whether a disease is responsible for the reduction in output and to identify the possible condition. Until the analysis is completed, the authorities have not linked the decline to a specific infectious agent.
Measures concerning insects
Farmers were advised to use repellents designed to protect cattle from Culicoides, small insects whose bites could play a role in transmitting the suspected disease. The regional government said the way the cases had appeared led it to consider the insects possible vectors.
The recommended measures are intended to reduce contact between the animals and the insects while the investigation proceeds. The authorities have not confirmed that the insects are responsible for the production decline, and the underlying cause remains subject to laboratory verification.
Monitoring and reported recovery
The ministry said production was recovering relatively quickly at the affected farms. It also stated that the suspected disease was not believed to be transmissible to people, while noting that the final identification of the condition was still pending.
The territorial delegation and regional agricultural offices remain in contact with farmers and COVAP to track developments. The results from the national reference laboratory are expected to provide further information about the possible disease. The total effect on Córdoba’s dairy-producing area has not yet been determined.
