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Research article
Triin Rilanto
Radboud Universiteit Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4274-182X
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Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. The study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers´ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013-2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death.
Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common farmers´ stated reasons for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had higher culling probability.
Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard.
Keywords
dairy cow, Estonia, culling, slaughter
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
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Editor assigned
On 18 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 May, 2020
Version 2
Posted 24 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 05 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 02 May, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 19 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 17 Apr, 2020
Editor assigned
On 16 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 16 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 15 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 15 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Mar, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 10 Mar, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 02 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 15 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 11 Feb, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Jan, 2020
First submitted
On 20 Jan, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Small Animal Medicine
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Veterinary Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Triin Rilanto
Radboud Universiteit Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4274-182X
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 18 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 May, 2020
Version 2
Posted 24 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 05 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 02 May, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 19 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 17 Apr, 2020
Editor assigned
On 16 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 16 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 15 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 15 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Mar, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 10 Mar, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 02 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 15 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 11 Feb, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Jan, 2020
First submitted
On 20 Jan, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Small Animal Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
The most recent version of this article is available here.
Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. The study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers´ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013-2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death.
Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common farmers´ stated reasons for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had higher culling probability.
Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard.
Figure 1
Figure 2
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