Culling and Laminitis

Abstract

Four New York dairy herds, ranging in size from 518 to 2007 cows, were studied. The overall culling rate was 27.6% and ranged from 15.6% to 42.9%. Cows with a history of laminitis lesions were culled during the current lactation at a rate 1. 77 times higher than cows with no laminitis lesions. A history of laminitis in the current lactation significantly increased the likelihood of culling due to foot and leg problems, reproduction, mastitis, low production and other reasons. Overall, laminitis was associated with 9.8% of culling in the entire herd and 43.5% of culling among cows with a history of laminitis.