Keller Steffi, Donat Karsten, Söllner-Donat Stefanie, Wehrend Axel, Klassen Anne
Tierklinik für Reproduktionsmedizin und Neugeborenenkunde, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen.
Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse, AdöR, Tiergesundheitsdienst, Jena.
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere. 2024 Oct;52(5):271-280. doi: 10.1055/a-2410-1310. Epub 2024 Oct 24.
Stillbirths account for a relevant proportion of total calf mortality on dairy farms. In addition, the stillbirth rate is an important criterion for assessing animal welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the stillbirth rate and aspects concerning the management of cows ante partum and during the calving period in larger dairy herds.
In 97 dairy farms with an average herd size of 550 cattle (≥24 months old), data concerning farm management and animal health were collected as part of a farm inspection using a questionnaire. The stillbirth rate of the respective farms was determined based on the farm's own data on the milk yield test and analyzed for possible correlations with farm management using a multivariable factor analysis.
A higher stillbirth rate was found on farms with particularly lean and overconditioned transit cows in the herd. A positive association to the stillbirth rate was also found for farms using a special birth monitoring system for heifers and those with more than 20% assisted calvings. There was no association with herd size.
Regardless of herd size, factors that are related to the stillbirth rate may be determined by analyzing the farm management. The body condition of the cows is a key parameter. The introduction of special birth monitoring for heifers can probably be interpreted as a reaction to increased stillbirths in the herd.
Conditioning cows before calving is an important field of action for herd managers in order to avoid stillbirths. The cows should not approach the calving period in an overly lean or over-conditioned state. When in such state, however, it is advisable for these cows to be monitored more closely in order to allow for professional assistance at the pertinent time period. Integration of body condition scoring of cows at dry-off, calving and the end of the high-yielding period, assessment of calving conditions and training of staff involved in obstetrics into veterinary herd management is warranted.
死产在奶牛场犊牛总死亡率中占相当比例。此外，死产率是评估动物福利的重要标准。本研究的目的是确定大型奶牛群中死产率与产前及产犊期奶牛管理方面之间的关系。
在97个平均牛群规模为550头（≥24月龄）的奶牛场中，作为农场检查的一部分，使用问卷收集了有关农场管理和动物健康的数据。根据各农场自身的产奶量测试数据确定其死产率，并使用多变量因素分析来分析其与农场管理之间可能存在的相关性。
在牛群中存在特别瘦弱和过度肥胖的过渡母牛的农场，死产率较高。对于使用特殊的后备母牛分娩监测系统的农场以及助产率超过20%的农场，也发现其与死产率呈正相关。与牛群规模无关。
无论牛群规模如何，通过分析农场管理可以确定与死产率相关的因素。奶牛的体况是一个关键参数。对后备母牛引入特殊的分娩监测可能可以解释为对牛群中死产增加的一种应对措施。
对于牛群管理者而言，在产犊前调整奶牛体况是避免死产的一个重要行动领域。奶牛在临近产犊时不应处于过度瘦弱或过度肥胖的状态。然而，当处于这种状态时，建议对这些奶牛进行更密切的监测，以便在相关时期提供专业协助。有必要将干奶期、产犊期和高产期结束时奶牛的体况评分、产犊情况评估以及参与产科工作的人员培训纳入兽医牛群管理中。
