Animal health and management and their impact on economic efficiency.

Relationships between animal health and economic efficiency were examined using data from genetic investigations and management studies. Genetic investigations have indicated that cows bred for high production do require more health care, but that increased costs for health care negate only a small fraction of the greater returns from cows that are genetically superior for yield traits. These same studies have identified age of cow and stage of lactation as important sources of variation in health care costs. Health care costs increase with age and are highest at parturition and immediately thereafter, and decrease to much lower levels as lactation progresses. Animal health issues considered from a management perspective were macro-environment (climate, housing, facilities), nutrition-reproduction complex, replacement management, mastitis and udder health, and herd health preventive medicine programs. Most advances in management of animal health were beneficial, but some are economical only for large herds. Improvement of udder health through continued and expanded research on milking procedures and equipment design is an area of unusual promise. Additional research appears needed to cope with stress and fatigue to legs and feet in modern facilities. Preventive medicine programs become more cost effective as herds become larger and should be used by a larger percentage of dairy producers. The economic efficiency of many management practices is uncertain due to a paucity of data. Animal scientists should plan to incorporate economic comparisons into much more of their research.