Sticking to simple rules will help reduce losses

摘要

The dairy industry continues to be challenged by high calf mortality with some 8% dying within 24 hours of birth, equivalent to 130,000 dairy-born calves annually.The main reasons are infection and disease, such as rotavirus and pneumonia. Of heifer calves born alive, 14% fail to reach first calving and 15% die, or are culled, during first lactation.It can cost 1300 to rear a replacement heifer, so anything we can do to prevent losses must be looked at.