Authors : Sarder Safiqul Islam , Ali Reza Ahmed , Ayesha Ashraf , Nargis Khanam and Mohammad Bashir Ahmed
Abstract: The study was conducted in Milk and Cattle Improvement Farm, Bogra, Bangladesh with a view to identify the causes of calf mortality and its consequences on the reduction of milk yield. Records on 162 expired calves were used for the study that covered from 1995 to 2003. The dams of the farm were the crosses of indigenous zebu (Bos indicus) with Friesian and Shahiwal. Artificial insemination with deep frozen semen of exotic breeds was the means of breeding. Veterinary assistances were taken if and when necessary during parturition and newly born calves were fed colostrum ad libitum immediately after birth. Calf mortality was found highest in monsoon (36.4%) followed by winter (34.6%) and summer (29.0%). Mortality was higher in male calves (55.6%) than female (44.4%). Calf mortality rate was decreased with the increase in age of the calves and it was found highest in first month of life (35.2%). On the other hand, mortality decreased with the increase in birth weight. The predominant causes of calf mortality were pneumonia, foot and mouth disease (FMD), dystocia, calf scours etc. Among 162 expired calves, maximum 14.8% calves were died by pneumonia, followed by FMD (12.3%), dystocia (11.7%), calf scours (8.6%), black quarter (8.0%) etc. On an average 1012.39 kg of milk was lost for lose of each calf.
Sarder Safiqul Islam , Ali Reza Ahmed , Ayesha Ashraf , Nargis Khanam and Mohammad Bashir Ahmed , 2005. Causes and Consequences of Calf Mortality in a Dairy Farm of Bangladesh . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 260-264.