FAC2: Production Disease in Dairy Cattle and Costs Flashcards

1
Q

How much of the dairy herd is replace annually?

A

1/5

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2
Q

How long is the average lifespan of dairy cows in the UK?

A

3.04 lactations

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3
Q

Define Forced or Involuntary Cull.

A

Animals that must be culled due to death, disease, or poor reproductive performance

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4
Q

What are the top three reasons for forced culling?

A

Infertility, mastitis, and lameness

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5
Q

Define selected or voluntary culls.

A

Farmer chooses to cull for reasons such as poor milk yield, old age, poor conformation, temperament, etc.

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6
Q

What common characteristics unite production diseases?

A
  • They are all associated with the peri-parturient cow and in particular the metabolic stress of early lactation
  • They all have a multifactorial aetiology
  • They may not be seen as spectacular individual cases, and the farmer may be unaware of the extent of the problem
  • There will be a far greater number of subclinical cases that will be inhibiting milk production
  • They are inter-related and can increase susceptibility to each other
  • They all cost money
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7
Q

What are the direct costs associated with disease?

A

Treatment costs (drugs)

Vet costs

Labour costs

Discarded milk

Reduction in milk yield

Mortality

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8
Q

What are the indirect costs associated with disease?

A
  • Increased culling rate
  • Possible risk of fatality
  • Susceptibility to other diseases
  • Extended calving interval
  • Extra services per conception
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9
Q

What are the major economic costs of mastitis?

A

Treatment costs

Cost of discarded milk

Lower milk yields

Higher Cull rate

NB: the cots due to treatment and vets time are relatively minor, with the majority of the costs coming from the cost of discarded milk, reduction in yields, and direct costs.

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10
Q

What are the main economic loses to lameness?

A
  • Poorer fertility due to increased calving interval and increased number of services per conception
  • Higher culling rate
  • Lower milk yields
  • Predisposition to other diseases
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11
Q

At what lactation do heifers start to make a profit for the farmer?

A

Heifers need to reach the 3rd lactation

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12
Q

What is the cost of infertility per day on a 365 calving index?

A

£4/day due to lost revenue for milk, extra food and housing for longer dry period, reduction in calf production, extra services per cow

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