Health Problems, Welfare and Biosecurity Measures at Dairy Farms

Abstract

Modern technology of cattle breeding is followed by large number of health problems,especially on dairy farms. Many of these farms have tie housing system, where the movement of thecows is limited, i.e. they are kept in inadequate housing conditions.In combination of these with inadequate diet and feeding regime this contributes to theformation of a complex clinical picture, indicating threatened welfare of these animals. Regarding that,reproductive problems of dairy cattle dominate at the examined farms: abortions after 150 days ofgravidity, anoestrus, small ovaries, cysts, ovaries that are inactive for more than 60 days postpartumand endometritis are most often registered.The most common health problems in calves were diarrhea and respiratory diseases. Puerperalparesis, ketosis and abomasal displacement have been usually noted in cows in puerperium, andindigestion were reported in cows during lactation and puerperium. Hoof diseases (asepticpododermatitis and panaritium) have occurred in cows in the most of the year. The significantimprovement of health, reproduction, and increasing of production was achieved by improving themanagement and herd health control in examined farms.