Dairy herd management and veterinary service in Michigan

Abstract

Thirty-six [Michigan] dairy herds were divided into 2 groups; (i) limited veterinary service [19 herds]; and (ii) complete veterinary service [17 herds]. Herds of group (ii) averaged 14 657 lb milk/cow, 404-day calving interval and 11.3% calf losses, and $20.29/cow was spent on veterinary services; correspondingly, herds of group (i) averaged 13 373 lb milk/cow, 400-day calving interval, 16.7% calf losses and spent $12.70/cow on veterinary services. Except for calving intervals, differences between the groups were significant (P < 0.05). Veterinary services and herd management are important input factors for economically successful milk production units.