Cost estimation of heifer mastitis in early lactation by stochastic modelling

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology 2009-02, Vol.134 (1), p.121-127
• Main Authors: Huijps, Kirsten, De Vliegher, Sarne, Lam, Theo, Hogeveen, Henk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; bacterial infections; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; bovine mastitis; Cattle; coagulase negative staphylococci; Costs; culling (animals); dairy cattle; dairy farming; dairy herd management; decision making; decision support systems; early lactation; econometric models; economic analysis; economic costs; Economics; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Care Costs - statistics & numerical data; health status; Heifer; heifers; Lactation - physiology; Mastitis; Mastitis, Bovine - economics; Microbiology; milk production; milk quality; Models, Economic; Models, Statistical; somatic cell count; statistical analysis; Stochastic Processes
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.09.018

Heifer mastitis, reflected by an elevated somatic cell count (SCC) in early lactation (SCCel), results in a decreased milk production, a higher risk for subclinical and clinical mastitis during lactation, and an elevated culling hazard. The aims of this study were to calculate the costs of heifer mastitis defined as an elevated SCC in early lactation, and to show the variation of these costs in the Dutch/Belgian dairy sector. A stochastic model, in which the variation and uncertainty of heifer mastitis are taken into the account, was developed with input data from literature and expertise. Costs were estimated, using default values. The mean costs for an elevated SCCel that cured were on average €13/heifer present on a farm (range: €0–118), for an elevated SCC at calving proceeding in subclinical mastitis on average €5/heifer present on a farm (range: €0–€82), and for a clinical heifer mastitis case associated with an elevated SCC after calving on average €270. On average this results in €13/heifer present on a farm (range: €0–137). Combined, these three cost aspects result in a total cost of on average €31/heifer present on a farm (range: €0–220). The large variation in the costs is very important regarding farm management and farm support. The difference in costs reflects also the difference in room for investment. When the costs that can be prevented are estimated at farm level, these data can be of help in setting goals in herd health advice and farm management.