Is Monitoring for Subclinical Ketosis in Dairy Herds Cost Effective?

Authors

  • Thomas Geishauser Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph
  • Ken Leslie Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph
  • Dave Kelton Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph
  • Todd Duffield Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20005413

Keywords:

subclinical ketosis, monitoring cows, ketone test, economic

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the profitability of a monitoring program for subclinical ketosis in dairy herds. Ketosis causes economic losses due to decreased milk production, impaired fertility and increased risk of displaced abomasum. On a herd basis, subclinical ketosis is substantially more costly than clinical ketosis: the estimated average subclinical ketosis risk accounts for $31 per cow, per lactation (lactational incidence risk of 40% x $ 78 per case), whereas the clinical ketosis risk accounts for approximately $7 (lactational incidence risk of 5% x $ 145 per case). Therefore, more can be gained by monitoring cows for subclinical ketosis in addition to clinical ketosis.

Cover image of the 33rd Conference Proceedings: Cattle and calves standing in a field of wildflowers, gazing curiously at the photographer. Yellow background.

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Published

2000-09-21

Issue

2000

Section

Research Summaries 4

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