Investigation of a dairy farm with a high calf mortality rate

Abstract

An investigation of the farm described in this report was requested by the owners and the referring veterinarian to attempt to solve an ongoing problem of high calf mortality and various other metabolic diseases affecting the cows in this herd. The nutritional status of the lactating herd was investigated to see if there was any link between the nutrition of the cows and the calf mortality rate. There was not a disease outbreak on the farm at the time of this investigation and specific diagnoses could not be determined, rather it was felt that changes in the management of this herd could help reduce the incidence of disease on the farm.