Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows
Abstract Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. This study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers’ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-020-02384-6 |
| _version_ | 1819015788313444352 |
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| author | Triin Rilanto Kaari Reimus Toomas Orro Ulf Emanuelson Arvo Viltrop Kerli Mõtus |
| author_facet | Triin Rilanto Kaari Reimus Toomas Orro Ulf Emanuelson Arvo Viltrop Kerli Mõtus |
| author_sort | Triin Rilanto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. This study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers’ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013–2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death. Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common reasons farmers stated for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had a higher culling probability. Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T02:37:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-84e401ce62e14bec9ec1b0457571713d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T02:37:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-84e401ce62e14bec9ec1b0457571713d2022-12-21T19:18:45ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482020-06-0116111610.1186/s12917-020-02384-6Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cowsTriin Rilanto0Kaari Reimus1Toomas Orro2Ulf Emanuelson3Arvo Viltrop4Kerli Mõtus5Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life ScienceInstitute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life ScienceInstitute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life ScienceDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesInstitute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life ScienceInstitute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life ScienceAbstract Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. This study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers’ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013–2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death. Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common reasons farmers stated for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had a higher culling probability. Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-020-02384-6Dairy cowEstoniaCullingSlaughter |
| spellingShingle | Triin Rilanto Kaari Reimus Toomas Orro Ulf Emanuelson Arvo Viltrop Kerli Mõtus Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows BMC Veterinary Research Dairy cow Estonia Culling Slaughter |
| title | Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows |
| title_full | Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows |
| title_fullStr | Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows |
| title_full_unstemmed | Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows |
| title_short | Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows |
| title_sort | culling reasons and risk factors in estonian dairy cows |
| topic | Dairy cow Estonia Culling Slaughter |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-020-02384-6 |
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