HOME CURRENT ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS ARCHIVE SEARCH SUBSCRIPTIONS JOBS FEEDBACK HELP		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McGuirk, B. J. Articles by Dobson, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McGuirk, B. J. Articles by Dobson, H.

Economic cost of difficult calvings in the United Kingdom dairy herd

¹ Genus Breeding, London Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7JW
² University of Liverpool, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE
³ Rose Cottage, Canobolas Road, Orange NSW 2800, Australia
⁴ Birling South East Cottage, Warkworth NE65 0XS

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, and of a seriously difficult calving between £350 and £400, 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.