Herd health problems

The epidemiological approach

Abstract

Applied clinical epidemiological methods in an integrated programme of herd health are described. These include the data base used to store the data, part of the monitoring report dealing with reproduction, and programmes of epidemiological evaluation. Anoestrous is used as an example for the methodology applied. Alarming levels of "% cows open greater than 150 d" when monitored, are further evaluated for the relative contribution of various possible factors of the trait. The effect of underfeeding before service on the rate of anoestrous is further investigated using the data base. The merits and limitations of such tools as part of the integrated herd health programmes are discussed.