Economic impact of pregnancy loss in an intensive dairy farming system

Abstract

Occurrence of pregnancy loss and the related economic impact were determined in an intensively managed dairy herd. A total of 3,204 cow and heifer pregnancies were included over a two year period. Pregnancy loss was considered when: (1) cows or heifers that were diagnosed as pregnant by transrectal palpation, on days 50 to 50 postinsemination returned to estrus; (2) animals were found not to be pregnant at diagnosis confirmation on day 90, day 180, or during the drying-off period; and (3) if an abortion was clinically diagnosed. Data were analyzed through descriptive epidemiology and by survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. The estimated cost of a single pregnancy loss was determined by the Monte Carlo methodology. Overall, 17.2% of cows (372/2,162) and 6.5% of heifers (68/1,042) had pregnany losses; the greater risk being in the first 90 days of gestation for cows (5.3/100 and 8.3/100 pregnancies in 2012 and 2013, respectively). Occurrence of pregnancy loss in heifers was also higher during the first trimester of gestation (1.7/100) in 2013. However, the pregnancy loss incidence peaked, between days 120 and 150 of gestation (1.7/100) in 2012. The cost of a single pregnancy loss during the first trimester was estimated at $5,253.00 (Mexican pesos), between days 91 and 180 at $9,674.00; and for over 181 days at $21,984.00. In conclusion, overall pregnancy loss rate in the studied herd was 17.2% for cows and 6.5% for heifers. The highest incidence of pregnancy loss occurred during the first 90 days of pregnancy. Thus, pregnancy loss may be the main reproductive cause affecting profitability of intensive dairy farming systems.