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Mortality (including euthanasia) among Danish dairy cows (1990-2001).

Peter T Thomsen1, Anne Mette Kjeldsen, Jan Tind Sørensen

  • 1Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, PO Bor 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. petert.thomsen@agrsci.dk

Preventive Veterinary Medicine
|May 25, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Danish dairy cow mortality increased significantly from 1990 to 1999, with older cows and those in early lactation facing higher risks. Euthanasia, often due to locomotor issues, is a major factor in these deaths.

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary epidemiology
  • Animal science
  • Dairy farming research

Background:

  • Rising mortality rates in Danish dairy cows present a significant challenge to herd health and productivity.
  • Understanding the trends and causes of dairy cow mortality is crucial for improving animal welfare and farm economics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the trends in mortality risk among Danish dairy cows between 1990 and 1999.
  • To identify key factors contributing to dairy cow deaths, including age, parity, lactation stage, and reasons for euthanasia.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Danish Cattle Database (DCD) for comprehensive mortality statistics.
  • Supplemented database information with a questionnaire survey to gather detailed insights into causes of death and euthanasia practices.

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Main Results:

  • Dairy cow mortality risk in Denmark rose from approximately 2% in 1990 to 3.5% in 1999, affecting all breeds and age groups.
  • Older cows (parity 3+) exhibited double the mortality risk of younger cows, with 30-40% of deaths occurring within the first 30 days of lactation.
  • Euthanasia accounted for approximately 58% of dairy cow deaths, with a noted increase in its proportion over the preceding five years. Locomotor disorders were identified as the primary reason in 25% of all deaths.

Conclusions:

  • A significant upward trend in Danish dairy cow mortality was observed, necessitating further investigation into underlying causes.
  • The high proportion of euthanasia, particularly for locomotor disorders, highlights critical welfare and management issues within the Danish dairy industry.