A HEALTH PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL DAIRY HERDS

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Abstract
Disease incidence data was collected from 9 dairy herds which participated in a herd health program. A total of 11,534 cow years was analysed. In common with other Australian data, the important clinical diseases were mastitis and infertility. There was an average level of 43.4 disease incidents per year per 100 animals at risk. An average of 18.6% of the herd left each year. This comprised 1.5% through death and 17.1% through sale. Disease accounted for the disposal of 9.8% of animals, and management reasons for 8.8%. These findings are similar to those of other studies in Australia and in other countries, but the results in this study were based on a longer period and on closer surveillance.