Economic impact of mortality and morbidity from diseases in dairy calves
Keywords:
morbidityAbstract
Breeding calves is the basis of the success of every dairy production unit. The period immediately after
delivery and the first days of life are critical moments for them. The attention to detail during this time can
reduce losses due to deaths and reduce the incidence of diseases, mainly diarrhea and pneumonia. The
objective of this work was to estimate the economic impact related to mortality and morbidity caused by
diarrhea in dairy calves. An observational study was conducted in a population of 510 lactating Holstein
calves. The variables that were considered to estimate the cost were: price of dead calf, calf treatment /
day, days of treatment. The diseases that were recorded to monitor the health of the calves were diarrhea
and pneumonia. A 40.4% and 8.4% prevalence of pups was detected with diarrhea and diarrhea plus
pneumonia respectively. Diarrhea and pneumonia affect the health of lactating dairy calves, which
generates economic losses due to mortality and treatment to the order of $ 242,000.00 in the population
evaluated.
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