Seppä-Lassila L, Sarjokari K, Hovinen M, Soveri T, Norring M
Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Valio Ltd, Box 10, FI-00039 Valio, Finland.
Vet J. 2016 Oct;216:164-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.07.008. Epub 2016 Jul 19.
Mortality at herd level is an indicator of overall calf welfare on dairy farms. The aim of this cross sectional study was to identify management factors associated with calf mortality on dairy farms in Finland. Calf mortality data and information on management practices collected during farm visits and farmer interviews were analysed using linear models. The average size of 82 herds enrolled in the study was 125 ± 41 cows. The mortality risk of calves <7 days of age was 5 (or 5.2) ± 2.3% and was associated with larger herd size and the practice of not separating sick calves from other calves (6.0 ± 0.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.3%; P < 0.05). The mortality risk of calves aged 7-180 days was 6 (or 5.7) ± 6.2% and increased with a shorter whole milk feeding period, longer period in the calving pen and lower average herd production level (P < 0.05). The mortality risk of calves was lower on farms where a veterinarian disbudded calves instead of farmer. Longer milk feeding and improved management of sick calves are recommended to reduce calf mortality. Specific management practices associated with lower mortality risk should be emphasised when advising farmers on how to enhance calf welfare.
畜群水平的死亡率是奶牛场犊牛总体福利的一个指标。这项横断面研究的目的是确定芬兰奶牛场与犊牛死亡率相关的管理因素。使用线性模型分析了在农场访问和农民访谈期间收集的犊牛死亡率数据和管理实践信息。参与该研究的82个畜群的平均规模为125±41头奶牛。7日龄以下犊牛的死亡风险为5（或5.2）±2.3%，且与畜群规模较大以及未将患病犊牛与其他犊牛分开的做法有关（6.0±0.4%对4.7±0.3%；P<0.05）。7至180日龄犊牛的死亡风险为6（或5.7）±6.2%，且随着全脂牛奶喂养期缩短、在产犊栏的时间延长以及畜群平均生产水平降低而增加（P<0.05）。在由兽医而非农民给犊牛去角的农场中，犊牛的死亡风险较低。建议延长牛奶喂养时间并改善患病犊牛的管理以降低犊牛死亡率。在向农民建议如何提高犊牛福利时，应强调与较低死亡风险相关的具体管理实践。
