Age and milk production data of cattle culled from a dairy herd with paratuberculosis

Statistical assessment of age and milk production data revealed a significantly shorter life expectancy and reduced milk production of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis-infected dairy cows, when compared with non-infected herdmates. High producing cows were frequently culled after their 1st or 2nd gestation, contributing to an undetermined economic loss with regard to their potential breeding value. Cows with subclinical infection frequently had problems of infertility and of mastitis.