Disease occurence in dairy herds : results from a 20 years study in three experimental farms

Abstract

Health data collected for 20 years at three INRA dairy cow experimental stations in middle-moutain areawere entered in the database LASCAR. The breakdown of disease occurence was broadly similar to that found in private dairy farms. Clinical mastitis (31.7 % of lactational incidence rate), lameness (25.6 %), digestive disorders (12.3 %) and placental retention (9.6 %) predominated. Wide variations occurred according to location and genetic type : Foul of the foot affected the FFPN of Marcenat (41.9 %) while mastitis most often affected the Holtein x FFPN cross breeds at Theix (53.0 %). Health problems tended to increase with lactation rank, with the notable exception of calving problems. Onset of lactation was the most sensitive time, though no particular season could be said to present special risk. The latter could differ according to the health disorders. Certain disorders occurred more often in October at the start of calving, however.