The effect of induced parturition in dairy cows on the incidence of mortality in calves from commercial herds in south-western Victoria
1995
Morton, J.M. (Victorian Dept. of Agriculture, Warrnambool (Australia)) | Butler, K.L. (Victorian Dept. of Agriculture, Werribee (Australia). Victorian Inst. of Animal Science)
The effects of induced parturition on calf mortality rates were studied in 24 winter-calving, pasture-fed, dairy herds in south-western Victoria. Parturition was induced when most cows were between 27 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Control groups were selected from cows in the same herds in which calving was not induced. The incidence of mortality within 7 days of birth was much higher among calves from cows in induced groups relative to those in control groups (estimated median herd mortality incidence 72 percent and 7 percent, respectively). The incidence of calf mortality was high among groups induced at all stages of pregnancy that were investigated. However, differences in calf mortality incidence, relative to controls, were increased among groups induced at earlier stages of pregnancy.
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