8 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | June/July 2024 Beyond the Barn New research has found that the microbiome of dairy farmers is affected by their cows. The study, conducted at Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin, investigated the effect of the dairy cow microbiome on the health of their farmers. They collected nasal and fecal samples from 66 dairy farmers and 166 cows across 37 farms. The study also compared the farmers’ microbiomes to those of non-farmer controls within the same zip code. The researchers found that nasal bacterial communities were more diverse in farmers and contained microbes associated with their livestock. The nasal microbiome of farmers and their cattle were quite different from those of non-farmers. These increased numbers of shared microbes were also found in gut microbiomes. “Overall, our study demonstrates the interconnectedness of human and animal microbiomes,” said Dr. Sanjay Shukla, director of the Center for Precision Medicine Research at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, in a recent release from the institute. “It is increasingly evident that billions of microbes that inhabit the human gut, which includes the stomach, intestines and colon, have tremendous opportunity to influence the health of a person.” The dairy farmers that participated in the study had greater numbers of nasal bacteria belonging to families Lactobacillaceae, Aerococcaceae, and Enterococcaceae, which can reduce sinus infections. Associated studies from the same team found that dairy farmers had reduced staphylococci bacteria, which in increased levels are associated with serious infections, and that dairy farmers reported fewer gastrointestinal symptoms through the study period. “We know that people who work on farms have some unique health characteristics, both good and bad, but we do not fully understand why,” said Dr. Jeffrey VanWormer, director of the Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, and co-investigator in the study. “This study helps us begin to understand the biological pathways by which the farm environment impacts workers’ health.” The comprehensive study is published in the April issue of Nature Microbiology. BF - Emily Croft Farm & Food Care photo FARMERS SHARE COW MICROBIOME A FARMING LIFE: FRANK GERBER Farmer, husband, father, grandfather, business owner. Born Sept. 4, 1936; died March 5, 2024. Frank Gerber of Port Elgin was born on a farm – and born to farm. Frank bought his first farm across from the one he grew up on outside Milverton after marrying his wife, Joan. They started their family and had three children: Debbie, Wendy, and Tim, who passed away in November of 2023. In the late ’70s, the Gerbers moved to Shallow Lake. Frank became involved in farm real estate and also worked with a neighbour on a tree-transplanting operation called “Ready-made Shade.” After some time passed, Frank returned to his roots and went back to farming. He and Joan found a farm outside of Port Elgin and remained there for 38 years, growing soybeans and other cash crops. Frank, along with his son Tim, started Gerber Sod Farm, where they grew Kentucky Bluegrass. In the early days at the Port Elgin farm, Frank and Joan grew a crop of strawberries to be sold as pick-yourowns. They also had a large vegetable garden, and Wendy and Debbie would sell the vegetables they harvested at the roadside. Frank enjoyed spending his downtime working on antique tractors. He restored a 1949 Massey Harris Pony and a 1949 Ford 8N. The Gerber farm was also the happy host of the local radio-controlled flying club, which flew planes there for many years. Frank remained on the Port Elgin farm until he passed. BF - Leslie Stewart Frank Gerber
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3