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.
Highlights
Abortion in cattle is tradionally defined as fetal death accompanied by uterine expulsion of the calf.[1]
The estimated cost of a single pregnancy loss was determined by the Monte Carlo methodology
The economic consequences of pregancy loss in dairy herds are steep, and even more so when considering the low pregnancy rates attained in regular insemination programs
Summary
Abortion in cattle is tradionally defined as fetal death accompanied by uterine expulsion of the calf.[1]. The term “pregnancy loss” is favored.[2] The economic consequences of pregancy loss in dairy herds are steep, and even more so when considering the low pregnancy rates attained in regular insemination programs. That is, it takes a lot of time and effort to get a cow pregnant, only to loose its gestation thereafter.[3,4] The global literature mentions that pregnancy loss rate fluctuates between 15% and 23% in dairy herds.[5,6,7] The estimated economic impact of loosing a single pregnancy in other countries varies from 550 to 1280 US dollars, depending on the gestational age at which fetal death occurs.[3,8] Despite the magnitude of this problem and of the economic relevance for dairy herds, there is little information on its incidence or its economic impact in Mexico. The incidence of pregnancy loss, the period of peak occurrence, and the associated economic consequences are determined in an intensively managed dairy herd
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