Associations between calf mortality during days 1 to 90 and herd-level cow and production variables in large Swedish dairy herds

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe large Swedish dairy herds with high and low mortality risk in calves during the first 90 d of life, using herd-level data, and to evaluate if high calf mortality risk is associated with other herd-level management variables that influence cow health. A total of 57 Swedish dairy herds met the inclusion criteria of affiliation to the Swedish official milk recording scheme, herd size of ≥140 and ≥160 cows in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, and calf mortality risks, classified as high (HM; calf mortality risk at least 3.5% in 2008/2009 and 5.5% in 2009/2010; n=28) or low (LM; calf mortality risk less than <1.5% in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010; n=29), and were thus included in the study. The data used in this study were collected from the Swedish Dairy association during the milking year 2009/2010. For LM herds, the calf mortality risk ranged from 0 to 1.46 (median=0.66) in 2008/2009 and from 0 to 1.48 (median=0.67) in 2009/2010. For HM herds, the calf mortality risk ranged from 3.57 to 11.52 (median=6.15) in 2008/2009 and from 5.88 to 18.23 (median=8.39) in 2009/2010. Median age at death was 28 d for HM and 37 d for LM herds. Associations between type of herd (HM or LM) and the production variables were evaluated using multi-correspondence analysis and logistic regression models covering the areas "mortality and culling," "health," "herd/production variables," and "fertility." Herds with HM risks during d 1 to 90 were associated with higher on-farm mortality rate in cows, lower average milk yield, higher incidence of antibiotic treatment, and a higher proportion of purchased animals. These results indicate that herds with HM risk during d 1 to 90 have coexisting issues concerning cow management and health. Future research is needed to evaluate if identifying HM herds and working with advisory and preventive manners at these herds also can be positive for a reduction of on-farm mortality and antibiotic usage, which are important issues from a global perspective.

Smallholder family farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that influence performance and welfare of lactating dairy calves

“…Rearing dairy calves born at farm allows a close herd policy, reducing sanitary risks and production costs (TORSEIN et al, 2014). Although decisions regarding the management of young cattle markedly affect dairy farming performance, calf rearing is often neglected by farmers (HÖTZEL et al, 2014a;DOS SANTOS & BITTAR, 2015).…”

Measurement of abomasal conditions (pH, pressure and temperature) in healthy and diarrheic dairy calves using a wireless ambulatory capsule

“…Neonatal diarrhea is the main cause of death during the first 2 weeks of life in calves (Torsein et al, 2014). Furthermore, diarrhea results in poor growth performance and increases the susceptibility to other infections (Windeyer et al, 2014).…”

Survey of Calf Management and Hygiene Practices Adopted in Commercial Dairy Farms in Chittagong, Bangladesh

“…It was suggested that, adoption of contemporary management practices that are modified to the growing herd sizes is crucial to reduce calf mortality (Barkema et al, 2015). Torsein et al (2014) suggested some management options most rewarding for calf survival in Swedish herds. Designing controlled experiments to establish management practices that benefit calf survival is difficult.…”