Production diseases of calves of dairy cows and economic losses

KVAPILÍK, Jindřich. Production diseases of calves of dairy cows and economic losses. Náš chov, 2017, vol. 77(11), p. 24-27. ISSN .
Year2017
CathegoryOthers
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Abstract

In the Czech Republic in 2016, 98 calves were born per 100 cows, 92 calves were weaned per 100 cows, and losses of calves were 6.2%. The herd turnover rate was 35 % and the conception rate of heifer after all inseminations reached about 60%. In farms with worse results rearing calves and higher annual herd turnover may be to provide a replacement difficult problem. The aim of rearing calves is to obtain healthy and vital calves, such as a requirement to reduce losses below 5% and daily gains of 700 to 800 grams per calf and day. Each loss and the vast majority of calves diseases results in economic losses. In case of death and necessary slaughter, the loss is a price of born calf and possible costs of the treatment (veterinarian, medication, work, etc.). When weaned calves lose, are lower sales for possible unrealized sales and the necessity to provide heifers to replace the herd and others. With high variability, the average loss can be estimated at 1,275 CZK in the case of deaths and necessary slaughterings of calves 5% and the proportion of sick calves 10% up to CZK 8,925 for losses 35% and a proportion of sick calves 70%. High losses and the proportion of diseased calves can be reduced in many cases by prevention, observing the known principles of postnatal care, nursing, nutrition and feeding, housing and others, appropriate and gentle healing.