Economic cost of difficult calvings in the United Kingdom dairy herd

Abstract

Information on the losses associated with lower milk production and reproductive performance, as well as information from a survey of uk dairy herds using beef semen was used to estimate the economic importance of calving difficulties in uk dairy herds. The survey covered information on cow and calf mortality, cow culling and the need for veterinary assistance, the incidences of which were related to the degree of calving difficulty experienced. The total cost of a slightly difficult calving was estimated to be approximately 110 pounds, and of a seriously difficult calving between 350 pounds and 400 pounds, depending on assumptions of the veterinary costs. However, the major costs were associated with the labour required at the delivery, the increase in the number of days open, and the costs associated with the deaths of cows and calves, and cow culling.

The use of crossbreeding with beef bulls in dairy herds: effects on calving difficulty and gestation length

“…Olson et al (2009) reported that gestation length had an unfavourable genetic correlation with both stillbirth and dystocia, as longer gestation intervals produced more dystocia and more stillbirths. The calving difficulty was affected by multiple factors, such as the breed of the sire of calf, age of the dam, sex of the calf and twin calvings and were similar to those reported by McGuirk et al (2007).…”

“…The cost of labour and veterinary assistance should be added to this loss. Calf mortality also rises with more difficult calvings, ranging between 2.6% in uneventful calvings and 51.8% in the most difficult calvings (McGuirk et al, 2007). Parity of the dam was a significant source of variation for calving difficulty and was lower when the age was higher.…”

“…McGuirk et al (2007) estimated that the average increase in days open was 9.2 and 21.5 days after moderate and difficult calvings, respectively, in comparison to the easy calvings. There was also a marked decrease in the kilograms of fat and protein produced in lactations after difficult calvings.…”

“…Calving difficulty can result in the loss of a calf, lower milk production and diminished health of the cows (Olson et al, 2009). Several studies have shown benefits in calving in a crossbreeding system with various breeds in dairy cattle in the United States (Heins et al, 2006;Maltecca et al, 2006), but the European dairy literature is sparse (McGuirk et al, 2007;Blö ttner et al, 2011). Gestation length may be one of fertility traits with the potential to reduce calving problems, which would increase the lifetime reproductive efficiency of dairy cows (Nadarajah et al, 1989;Olson et al, 2009).…”

Genetiksel Olmayan Faktörlerin Siyah Alaca Sığırlarda Güç ve Ölü Doğuma Etkilerinin CHAID Analizi İle İncelenmesi

“…It has been estimated that these losses in the dairy industry in the US and the UK amounted to US$ 125 million and £ 60 million, respectively [11] . McGuirk et al [12] . estimated that the total cost attributable to a severe case of calving difficulty can be as high as 500 euros per case.…”