The Main Causes of Calf Mortality in Dairy Farms in Poland

Abstract

Calf mortality is one of important problems of calf rearing in dairy farms worldwide. Besides, several noninfectious factors, such as management around birth, colostrum management, calf housing, feeding system, hygiene and pathogens, play an important role in calf rearing. The aim of the study was to show the most common causes of mortality of calves up to 90 d of their lives. Some data are available concering calf rearing management on small and medium size dairy farm typical for Polish regions. The research was conducted in seven selected herds of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows located in South of Poland. Data on calves mortality covered the period of three years from 2004 to 2007 and were collected using medical documentation and medical inquire in the farms. All evidence was enrolled untill three months of age of calves. There were 1,800 calves tested. The influence of such factors as maintaining system (free stalls barn and stalls barns), feeding systems and herd size on falls of calves was examined. Overall, mortality throughout the three months of study period was diarrhea, which increased the risk of death among calves younger than 90 d of age. Also, respiratory system disorders were the common cause of loss of calves. The calf mortality rate during 90 d in all herds registered in free stall barns was 61% and in stalls barns was only 29%. Effect of pneumonia in free stall barns was 18% and in stall barns was 29%. In all groups, calf mortality rates increased with increasing herd size.

Colostrum-supplemented transition milk positively affects serum biochemical parameters, humoral immunity indicators and the growth performance of calves

“…Additionally, the incidence of respiratory disorders in this group reached 18%. Our results correspond with those reported by Żychlińska-Buczek et al (2015), but are higher than those noted by Svensson et al (2006) and Gulliksen et al (2009). In contrast, the incidence of diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections in TRT calves was 40% and 33%, respectively, supporting a positive effect of colostrum-supplemented transition milk on the health status of calves.…”

Relationship Between Passive Immunity Levels and Morbidity, Mortality and Growth Rates of Friesian Calves in Egypt

“…In contrast, the number of calves that died due to enteric and respiratory diseases together was 4 calves all of them with FPT (Figure 2). These results were consistent with those reported by Żychlińska-Buczek et al (2015) who indicated that during the first 90 days of old the main cause of death was diarrhea, the respiratory disorders being the next common cause of loss of calves. Hulbert and Moisá (2016) noted that the mortality rate among calves in the United States was high, with more than half of deaths due to diarrhea.…”

“…A high event of diarrhea is due to poor quality of the colostrum given to the newborn calf, which results in a failure of passive immune transfer (FPT). Also, Żychlińska-Buczek et al (2015) confirmed that 80% of cases of disease during the preweaning period are disorders of diarrhea and respiratory syndrome which were the major cause of business failure and economic losses.…”

Calves gastrointestinal nematodes and Eimeria prevalence and associated risk factors in dairy farms, southern Ethiopia

“…The proportion of both Nematode (OR=5.7, p< 0.05) and Eimeria species (OR=5.3, P< 0.05) infection was significantly higher in diarrheic calves than calves with normal faeces consistency. In dairy farms diarrhea was most frequently observed disorder in various parts (Tamrat et al, 2020;Żychlińska-Buczek et al, 2015;Megersa et al, 2009;Wudu et al, 2008). It is known that some Nematodes species and Eimeria species known to damage the intestinal epithelial cells leading to inflammation and cause diarrhea (Constable et al, 1017;Ramadan et al, 2015).…”