Total financial and avoidable losses due to lameness in Turkish dairy herds

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the total financial (direct and indirect) and avoidable losses related to lameness in Turkish dairy herds. Official and previous published data were used for determining the mean (12.9%) and target prevalence (6.6%) values. Direct financial losses due to lameness were calculated as treatment costs, involuntary culling, and milk yield losses. Indirect losses consisted of extended calving intervals and extra insemination losses. As a result, an average financial losses of lameness per case on dairy farms was $153.8 ($116.8 for mild and $264.7 for severe forms). Avoidable losses were calculated ($75.1), equalling 187 Lt. of cow milk in Türkiye conditions. The share of direct and indirect financial losses was 49.6% and 50.4%, respectively. Total annual losses related to lameness in Türkiye are calculated as $130.5 million (326 million Lt. milk eq.); however, $63.7 million (=159 million Lt. milk eq.) of the losses could be avoided by farmers. Milk equivalent of avoidable losses equates to 0.77% of the total milk production of Türkiye annually. In conclusion, lameness causes significant financial losses in Turkish dairy herds. However, almost half of these losses (48.8%) may be avoidable with a better management practices, thus increasing the productivity and profitability of dairy farmers.