Reasons For Culling Research Articles

Genotype by environment interactions on culling rates and 305-day milk yield of Holstein cows in 3 US regions

The objective of this study was to investigate genotype by environment interactions for culling rates and milk production in large and small dairy herds in 3 US regions, using genotypes, pedigree, and phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker variances were also estimated in these different environments. Culling rates including cow mortality were based on 6 Dairy Herd Improvement termination codes reported by dairy producers. Separate data sets for culling rates and 305-d milk yield were created for large and small dairy herds in the US regions of the Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and Northeast (NE) for the first 3 lactation cows that calved between 1999 and 2008. Genomic information from 42,503 SNP markers on 34,506 bulls was included in the analysis to predict genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) of culling rates and 305-d milk yield with a single-step genomic BLUP using a bivariate threshold-linear model. Cow replacement rates in large SE and NE herds were higher. Heritability estimates of culling rates ranged from 0.03 to 0.11, but the differences were small between large and small herds and among the 3 US regions. Genetic correlations between culling rates and 305-d milk yield were medium to high for cows sold for poor production and reproduction problems. Correlations of GEBV for culling rates among the 3 US regions ranged from 0.34 to 0.92 and were lower between the SW and the other regions, especially in small herds. Correlations of GEBV between large and small herds ranged from 0.44 to 0.90 and were lower in the SW. These results indicate genotype by environment interactions of cow culling rate between the US regions and between large and small herds. Correlations of top 30 SNP marker effects for culling rates between 2 US regions ranged from 0.64 to 0.98 and were higher than those of more SNP marker effects except for a culling reason “sold for dairy purpose.” Those correlations between large and small herds ranged from 0.67 to 0.98. High correlations of top SNP marker effects on culling reasons between the US regions and between large and small herds suggest that major markers can be useful for selection in different environments. The SNP variance shown in a marker gene segment on chromosome 14 was strongly associated with milk production in large and small herds in the NE but not in the SE and SW. Marker genes on chromosome 14 also showed a strong association with cow culling rates due to poor production and mortality in large herds in the NE.

Effect of the temperament of dairy cows on lifetime production efficiency

Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the temperament of cows on their lifetime production efficiency. Data on milk performance, longevity and culling reasons of 11 629 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were extracted from the SYMLEK database. Using the methodology of the Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers, cow temperament was assessed as follows: 1 – calm; 2 – normal; and 3 – excitable or aggressive. Most cows showed a normal temperament (89.52 %). Over successive years of the evaluation, there were increases in the proportion of cows with a calm (from 2.98 to 6.85 %) and excitable temperament (from 7.50 to 8.27 %). Temperament was found to have a highly significant effect on first lactation milk yield, first lactation daily milk yield, milk yield per day of age, and milk yield per day of productive life. In cows with a calm temperament, first lactation milk yield was 621 kg higher than in cows with a normal temperament and 329 kg higher compared to excitable (aggressive) cows.

Studies on culling pattern in Murrah buffaloes at an organized farm

The subject of investigation were 3940 buffaloes from the Murrah breed, raised at the dairy farm of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana for the period 1971–2010 to study the culling pattern in them from an organized herd. The reasons for culling were classified into: low milk production; reproduction related problems; health type; disease; senility and miscellaneous conditions. The part of buffaloes culled for low milk production was the biggest 30.77%, followed by reproduction related problems -30.39%, old age-14.76%, disease -9.64%, health type -8.89% and miscellaneous condition accounted for 5.55% and it was found that culling has significant effect on period, season and parity (p < 0.05).

Detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in the ovary of gilts culled due to reproductive disturbances

Replacement gilts are a major source of introducing the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus into the swine breeding herd. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of PRRS virus antigen by detection in the ovary of gilts culled due to reproductive disturbances. Ovarian tissues were collected from 100 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred slaughtered gilts in Thailand. PRRS virus antigen in the ovarian tissues were detected by using immunohistochemistry. On average, the gilts were culled at 277 days of age at a body weight of 148 kg. Of these gilts, 75 had attained puberty and 25 had not attained puberty. PRRS virus antigens were detected in the macrophages within the ovary. The histological morphology of macrophages containing the PRRS virus in ovarian tissue was similar to that found in the lung tissue. Of all the ovarian tissues (n = 100), the PRRS virus was detected in 70 (70.0 %) ovaries. The detection frequency of the PRRS virus in the ovarian tissue of gilts did not differ significantly among the culling reasons (P = 0.496). The gilts that had exhibited standing oestrus had a lower PRRS virus detection than those that had never exhibited standing oestrus (62.8 versus 92.0 %, respectively, P = 0.005). Gilts with a body weight of 151–160 kg had a higher frequency of PRRS virus detection (89.5 %) than gilts with a body weight of ≤130 kg (52.9 %, P = 0.025) and 131–140 kg (50.0 %, P = 0.032). The ovulation rate in the ovary containing the PRRS virus tended to be lower than the ovary without the PRRS virus (14.8 and 16.7 corpora lutea (CL), respectively, P = 0.196). These findings indicated that the natural exposure to PRRS virus in the replacement gilts caused an existence of the virus in the ovarian tissues and may subsequently influence the ovarian function.

Slaughterhouse examination of culled sows in commercial pig herds

A proper culling policy in sow herds is a prerequisite to maintain a stable parity profile of the breeding animals and to maintain consistent production. This study investigated reasons for culling of 502 sows from 7 commercial pig herds and examined the reproductive tract of these sows by macroscopical, bacteriological and histopathological examination. Associations between all three examinations were statistically analysed. More than 50% of the sows was culled because of reproduction failure, while old age was the second most common reason (23%). Approximately 75% of the examined uteri were visually normal. Purulent exudate was detected in 18% of the animals. No abnormalities were found in 54% of the ovaries, whereas 28% showed inactivity. Sixty-two percent of the uteri were bacteriologically positive, with Escherichia coli (18%) being the most frequently isolated. Histologically, 52% of the uteri showed mild to severe inflammation. From the uteri with endometritis based on visual inspection and histology, 26% and 30% was bacteriologically negative, respectively. The presence of bacteria showed a slight agreement with macroscopical (κ=0.14, p=0.04) and histopathological endometritis (κ=0.18, p=0.04). No agreement was found between macroscopical and histopathological lesions (κ=−0.06, p>0.05). Major differences were found between herds for all parameters. In conclusion, sows are mostly culled because of insufficient reproductive performance, and many of the culled sows show endometritis lesions. Histopathology appears to be more sensitive than visual inspection.

Field Survey on Fetlock Problems in Young Horses

IntroductionProblems in the musculoskeletal system are the most common reason for impaired function and culling in insured riding horses in Sweden. Impaired function of the fetlock, e.g. arthritis, is a believed to be a multi‐factorial problem. The aim of the pilot study was to find factors associated with problems in the fetlock.MethodsThis study focused on horses 5–7 years with fetlock problems. A questionnaire on training and management (feeding, housing, shoeing) was sent to 200 horse‐owners with insurance policies on their horses; 100 had claimed insurance compensation for problems in the fetlock (I‐horses) and 100 owners had healthy horses that served as controls (C‐horses). The results of the proportions in each group were compared with a Chi‐squared test. The response rate was 42%.ResultsThe results showed significant differences for training‐related factors but not for management‐related factors. The healthy C‐horses were ridden for a longer period of time at each occasion (58.5 minutes per day) compared to I‐horses (51.3 minutes per day) (P = 0.043). The C‐horses jumped once a week and the I‐horses 0.5 times per week (P = 0.0075). There was a tendency for shorter period of training free weeks to be beneficial (C‐horses 4.0 weeks, I‐horses 5.5 weeks per year; P = 0.083). A larger proportion of the I‐horses participated in the Swedish Riding Horse Quality Test for four‐year old horses (P = 0.043).ConclusionsThe results indicated that training‐related factors were associated with whether a horse remained healthy or not. Further studies on training and educational systems of young horses are needed to prevent impaired function.Ethical Animal ResearchNo animals were used in the study. Sources of funding: This study was financed by the insurance company ‘Agria’ which approved submission of the results for presentation and publication in conjunction with ICEEP 9. Competing interests: none.

Female lifetime productivity in a swine integration system using segregated gilt development units

This study evaluated female lifetime productivity in a swine integration system of Brazil that combines segregated gilt development units called fourth sites (4S) and sow farms (SF). Records of 5,013 culled females from 3 4S and 10 SF were evaluated. The most frequent culling reasons were locomotor problems, in 4S, and litter performance, in SF. Days in herd at culling were 71.8 ± 0.8 in 4S. In SF, parity at culling was 4.4 ± 0.1; the lowest number of pigs born during lifetime (33.5 ± 1.1) was for females culled due to reproductive failures and the lowest number of pigs born per year of lifetime (22.8 ± 0.3) was for sows culled due to litter performance (P < 0.05).

Genetic determination of mortality rate in Danish dairy cows: A multivariate competing risk analysis based on the number of survived lactations

Dairy cow mortality has been steadily increasing during the last 2 decades in Denmark. This study aims to verify whether genetic mechanisms might be contributing to this increase. To do so, the records of 880,480 Holstein, 142,306 Jersey, and 85,206 Red Danish dairy cows calving from 1990 to 2006 were retrieved from the Danish Cattle register. Two causes of culling of cows were considered: death and slaughtering. Bivariate competing risk genetic models with a sire model structure were used to describe the death and the slaughtering rates simultaneously. The models included 2 random components: a sire random component with pedigree representing the sire genetic effects and a herd-year-season component. Moreover, the level of heterozygosity and the sire breed proportions were included in the models as covariates to account for potential nonadditive genetic effects due to the massive introduction of genetic material from other populations. The correlations between the sire components for death rate and slaughter rate were negative and small for the 3 populations, suggesting the existence of specific genetic mechanisms for each culling reason and common concurrent genetic mechanisms. In the Holstein population, the effects of the changes in the level of heterozygosity, breed composition, and the increasing genetic trend acted in the same direction, increasing the death rate in recent years. In the Jersey population, the effects of the level of heterozygosity and the breed proportion were small, and only the increasing genetic trend can be pointed as a genetic cause to the observed increase in the mortality rate. In the Red Danish population, neither the time-development pattern of the genetic trend nor the changes in the level of heterozygosity and breed composition could be causing the observed increase in the mortality; thus, nongenetic factors must be causing this negative development.

Lifetime production of high-yielding dairy cows

Lifetime milk production is a key success factor in fulfilling the production potential of high-yielding cows. Lifetime milk production traits are pronouncedly variable. The life expectancy and the length of productive life of dairy cows are repeatedly limiting factors for improving lifetime milk production. Lifetime milk production is greatly depended on age at first calving and the number of lactations during productive life. Previous researches have implied there are real chances for improving the lifetime milk production of high-yielding cows. The goal of this research was to investigate the significance of key systematic factors on the lifetime production of high-yielding Black-and-White cows. The animals included in the sample had different share of Holstein genes. The researchers determined systematic factors that caused some significant phenotypic variations of the investigated trait. The average lifetime milk production was 25,002.66?7,755.39 kg. When observed by cow genotypes, the mean values of the lifetime milk production varied from 27,061.37 kg (&lt;58% HF) and 24,761.26 kg (58-73% HF) to 23,185.36 kg (&gt;73% HF). The differences in lifetime milk production determined among the animals were due to a highly significant (p?0.01) impact of the bulls ? the sires of the cows and the year of culling; the impact of the class of HF genes was significant (p?0.05), whereas the impact of the reason for culling was non-significant (p&gt;0.05).

A Genome Wide Association Study for Longevity in Cattle

Longevity is regarded as the most important functional trait in cattle breeding with high economic value yet low heritability. In order to identify genomic regions associated with longevity, a genome wise association study was performed using data from 4887 Fleckvieh bulls and 33,556 SNPs after quality control. Single SNP regression was used for identification of important SNPs including eigenvectors as a means of correction for population structure. SNPs selected with a false discovery rate threshold of 0.05 and with local false discovery rate identified genomic regions associated with longevity which were subsequently cross checked with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. This, to identify interesting genes in cattle and their homologue forms in other species. The most notable genes were SYT10 located on chromosome 5, ADAMTS3 on chromosome 6, NTRK2 on chromosome 8 and SNTG1 on chromosome 14 of the cattle genome. Several of the genes found have previously been associated with cattle fertility. Poor fertility is an important culling reason and thereby affects longevity in cattle. Several signals were located in regions sparse with described genes, which suggest that there might be several other non-identified genetic pathways for this important trait.

Risk factors of lameness in sows in England

Lameness in pigs is a major welfare concern and one of the most commonly reported reasons for premature culling of breeding sows. In this study, the prevalence of lameness in sows was estimated using data from 76 pig breeding units in England and risk factors associated with the occurrence of lameness were examined. The prevalence of lameness in sows was 4.5% (farm median 5.0%, range 0–40%), with at least one lame sow being observed at 54% of the 76 farms. Relative risk (RR) of lameness was determined by multivariable Poisson regression analysis. Farms with high producing sows had a lower rate of lame sows than farms with a medium level of production (P=0.01). However, medium levels of production on a farm were associated with higher levels of lameness than farms having the lowest level of production (P=0.02). Farms where the stockman had responsibility for more sows resulted in an increased risk of lameness (P=0.0062). When indoor units were considered, the area of the pen and younger sows (two parities or less) had higher risk of lameness (P=0.001 and P=0.026 respectively). An increased awareness of the risk factors behind lameness is essential in farm management and can be useful when designing housing areas as well as developing future prevention plans for lameness.

Effect of delayed exposure of cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis on the development of subclinical and clinical Johne's disease

To evaluate the effect of delayed exposure of dairy cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) on the incidence of those cows testing positive for MAP and developing clinical Johne's disease (CJD). 79 cows not exposed to MAP as calves (unexposed cohort) and 260 cows exposed to MAP as calves (exposed cohort). Cows in the unexposed cohort were born into 5 MAP-uninfected herds and introduced at various ages into 5 MAP-infected herds where the exposed cohort cows were born and raised. Beginning when each cow was 24 months old, fecal and serum samples were collected annually from 2003 through 2006. Feces were cultured for MAP, and an ELISA was used to analyze serum samples for antibodies against MAP. Date and reason for culling were obtained from herd records. Incidence of positive culture and ELISA results and CJD was compared between unexposed and exposed cohort cows with Cox regression. Compared with exposed cohort cows, the hazard ratios for unexposed cohort cows having positive culture results, having positive ELISA results, and developing CJD were 0.12, 0.03, and 0.001, respectively, and those ratios increased by 2%, 6%, and 17%, respectively, for each month spent in an MAP-infected herd. Delayed exposure of cows to MAP resulted in lower incidences of positive culture and ELISA results and CJD in those cows, compared with incidences of cows exposed to MAP since birth. The hazard of testing positive for MAP or developing CJD increased with time, regardless of cohort.

Genome‐wide association with delayed puberty in swine

An improvement in the proportion of gilts entering the herd that farrow a litter would increase overall herd performance and profitability. A significant proportion (10-30%) of gilts that enter the herd never farrow a litter; reproductive reasons account for approximately a third of gilt removals, with anestrous and failure to conceive the most common reasons for culling. Tools to select gilts for reproductive longevity through genomics or alternative phenotypes would be of great benefit to the producer. Ninety-one gilts that failed to display behavioral estrus by 240days (cases) and 127 pubertal littermates (controls) were genotyped with the Illumina Porcine SNP60 Beadchip. One hundred and seventy-four SNPs with the most significant associations were genotyped in an additional 86 cases and 103 controls. Twelve of these associations were significant in the final analysis. The most significant (P<1.5×10(-14) ) region associated with failure to attain puberty was on chromosome 4 surrounding the NHLH2 gene. Delayed pubertal development and age at first estrus have been associated with NHLH2 in mice. Because attainment of puberty is a complex trait, identifying genes that affect pubertal age would greatly contribute to our knowledge of reproductive development as well as overall fertility.

Estimation of genetic parameters for longevity traits in dairy cattle: A review with focus on the characteristics of analytical models

Longevity is an economically important trait of dairy cattle for increasing the profitability of dairy management. The reasons for culling can be either voluntary (primarily productivity) or involuntary (primarily health and fertility). Longevity characteristics include: (i) true longevity (all culling reasons, including productivity); and (ii) functional longevity (all culling reasons, except productivity). Improvements to longevity are made to decrease the rate of involuntary culling rather than extend the herd life (HL). The proportional hazard model is useful for evaluating genetic ability for HL. However, the differences between estimates made using the proportional hazard model and those made using linear single or multiple-trait animal models are not clear. The model commonly used for evaluation differs among countries. Productive traits, udder traits, and feet and legs traits are genetically correlated with longevity, and consequently these traits are used to indirectly evaluate longevity. The reliability of estimates of genetic ability for longevity is increased by combining direct and indirect estimates. In Japan, HL is evaluated using the multiple-traits model. The genetic correlations between HL and other traits vary with the birth year. Therefore, these genetic correlations need to be reviewed regularly.

Characterization of Camel Production System in Afar Pastoralists, North East Ethiopia

A cross sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to characterize camel production system in Afar Region. From the 110 responses of the camel owners interviewed 68.2% of them prefer camels as their first choice over other livestock species and mainly kept in the society for milk production. Disease accounted 40.9% of the main problems of camel rearing society of the Afar pastoralist and about 35.8% of the camel culling reasons were attributed to camel diseases. External parasite infestation and pneumonia were the most common health problems with 51% and 31.8% respectively. More than 80% of breeding male camels were selected from the own herd and rarely acquired from other sources. The (Mean±S.D.) age at first calving was 5.36±0.74 years in afar female camels and the life span ranges from 14-29 years. Daily milk yield of Afar camels ranges from 2.01-12.0 liters per day in 2- 3 milking times. The average age to select breeding male is 2.75±1.50 years. The production system of the Afar society has never got enough support from the respected bodies. Policy makers, researchers and funding agencies should give attentions to camels in combating food security in the ever widening desertification in areas like Afar.

VIDA PRODUCTIVA Y PRINCIPALES CAUSAS DE DESCARTE DE VACAS HOLSTEIN EN LA CUENCA DE LIMA

Records of 3,100 culled Holstein cows from 10 dairy herds in the Lima valley during the period of 1990 till 1996 were analyzed to determine the age at first calving, number of lactations and length of the productive life as well as the main reasons for culling. In the analysis was considered herd size (&gt;500 cows, 100-500 and &lt;100 cows) and type of farm (private and cooperative). Culling reasons were grouped in problems relating to fertility, udder, feet, calving, emergency, and others. The age at first calving, number of lactations and length of the productive life was 28.6 ± 4.1 months, 3.0 ± 2.0 and 42.9 ± 29.4 months, respectively. Statistical differences due to herd size was not found (p&gt;0.05) with the exception of age at first calving which was lower in herds with more than 500 cows (27.9 m p&lt;0.05). Cows from cooperatives showed an older age at first calving, larger number of lactations and longer productive life (p&lt;0.05). The main reasons for culling were: fertility (52.7%), udder (12.1%), feet (3.0%), calving (3.5%), emergency (8.7%), and others (19.9%).

Subfertility problems leading to disposal of breeding bulls.

Subfertility problems are encountered frequently in the cattle and buffalo bulls commercially maintained for semen production in dairy farms and under field conditions for natural insemination. Reports are scarce on the incidence of subfertility in breeding bulls, especially in India. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of the male reproductive anomalies leading to disposal of bovine bulls at GADVASU dairy farm, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Data on frequency of various subfertility and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the dairy farm, GADVASU, were collected for 12 yrs (1999 to 2010) and compiled from different record registers. Percentage of bulls that produced freezable semen (out of reserved ones) was less in cattle (25.641%) as compared to that of buffalo (30.4%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive and poor semen quality were the main contributing factors for bull disposal in cattle whereas poor semen freezability was most frequently observed in buffalo bulls. All the male reproductive traits were significantly different (p<0.05) for the periods of birth, except for semen volume, initial motility (IM), age at last semen collection (ALSC) and age at disposal. The ages at first and last semen collection as well as freezing (i.e. AFSC, ALSC and AFSF, ALSF, respectively) and age at disposal (AD) were higher in buffalo. The spermatological parameters and semen production period (SPP) were higher in cattle. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. The results revealed an increasing trend in individual motility (IM) while semen volume, AFSC, AFSF, AD, FSPP, SPP, ALSC and ALSF showed a decreasing, however, not a definite trend, over the periods. The semen donation traits like, AFSF, of the cattle and buffalo bulls could be predicted from the AFSC, using prediction equation derived in the present study.

Causes for culling first calving cows on farms with different levels of production

It is general knowledge that management influences results in cattle production to the highest extent, and that the culling of cows is a very good indicator of the success of farm management. A comparison of results of culling for first calving cows on farms with various levels of production in 2011 established differences both for the number of culled animals and the reasons for culling. On farms with higher levels of production, the share of first calving cows in overall culling was 25.9% or 4.5% less than on farms with a lower level of production, i.e. 4.8% less died, and 0.7% first calving cows had to be slaughtered, while 5.6% more first calving cows were culled for economic reasons. At both levels of production, dominant reasons for culling were diseases of the legs and hoofs, which can be linked to the tie stall system (more pronounced on farms with higher production) and metabolic disorders (more dominant on farms with lower production). Reproduction was a more considerable problem on farms with higher milk production, while culling due to selection was more pronounced on farms with lower production. In early lactation of first calving cows, regardless of the level of production, dominant reasons for culling on farms are leg and hoof problems and metabolic disorders (total: 55% i.e. 55.9%). When reasons for culling of first calving cows after 100 days of lactation are investigated, on farms with high production the significance of diseases of legs and hoofs remains almost unchanged, but culling due to reproduction grows to 28%. On farms with lower production, culling due to leg and hoof diseases is considerably reduced after 100 days of lactation, however culling due to selection is tripled (62%).

Prevalence of lameness and claw lesions during different stages in thereproductive cycle of sows and the impact on reproduction results

Lameness in sows is an emerging disease condition with major effects on animal welfare and economics. Yet the direct impact on reproduction results remains unclear. The present field study investigated the impact of lameness and claw lesions throughout the reproductive cycle on (re)production results of sows. In five farms, a total of 491 group-housed sows were followed up for a period of one reproductive cycle. Sows were assessed for lameness every time they were moved to another area in the farm. Claw lesions were scored at the beginning and at the end of the cycle. Reproduction results included the number of live-born piglets, stillborn piglets, mummified fetuses and crushed piglets, weaning-to-oestrus interval and the presence of sows not showing oestrus post weaning, returning to service and aborting. Sows that left the group were recorded and the reason was noted. A mean prevalence of lameness of 5.9% was found, although it depended on the time in the productive cycle. The highest percentage of lame sows (8.1%) was found when sows were moved from the post-weaning to the gestation stable. No significant associations were found between lameness and reproduction parameters with the exception of the effect on mummified foetuses. Wall cracks, white line lesions, heel lesions and skin lesions did have an effect on farrowing performance. Of all sows, 22% left the group throughout the study, and almost half of these sows were removed from the farm. Lameness was the second most important reason for culling. Sows culled because of lameness were significantly younger compared with sows culled for other reasons (parity: 2.6 ± 1.3 v. 4.0 ± 1.8). In conclusion, the present results indicate that lameness mainly affects farm productivity indirectly through its effect on sow longevity, whereas claw lesions directly affect some reproductive parameters. The high percentage of lame sows in the insemination stable indicate that risk factor studies should not only focus on the gestation stable, but also on housing conditions in the insemination stable.

Investigation of the effect of flooring on the living performance of sows using survival analysis

Pig-farming has a long tradition in Hungary, most significantly within the Alföld region. In my analysis I studied the lifespan of sows in two nucleus pig herds on the Great Plain, also examining the probability of the occurrence of different reasons for culling. During my research I collected data (from 2001 to 2010) relating to more than 10,000 sows from the farms conducting a breeding programme and I searched for the answer to the question of whether can I find a significant difference in the lifespan of sows with the same feeding and the same genotype if the floor type of farms is different (Herd A has a solid floor with straw and Herd B has a slatted floor). Regarding the reasons for culling ANOVA was used to investigate mean differences in logarithms of the lifespan of sows in each herd. Between the herds the seven most common culling reasons were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the significant difference was demonstrated with the logrank test. The results of the log-rank test showed that there was a significant difference in leg problems as a cause of culling and deaths (p &lt; 0.05) between the two farms, which is the consequence of different floor types.