ÜLKER, Hasan Yüzüncü Yıl University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Sciences, Turkey , BAKIR, Galip Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Sciences, Turkey

Culling Reasons and Affecting Factors in a Holstein Dairy Herd Raised in Southeast Region of Turkey

38634

This study was done to obtain some descriptive aspects and determine the reasons for culling in a dairy herd in a State Farm located in South East of Turkey. Culling and yield records of 2617 animals during years 2000-2010 were evaluated. The effects of year, parity and milk yield classes on ratios of culling reasons were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS program and chi-square test was applied. The proportions of culled animals were due mainly to involuntary culling (85.8%) with small proportion of voluntary culling (14.2%). The most frequent primary involuntary culling reasons for lactating cows were diseases (22.5%), udder problems (22.2%), reproductive disorders (19.7%) and conformation (17.4%). Culling reasons’ ratios were affected from years, parity and milk yield classes (P 0.05). It was concluded that data obtained in the present study were compatible with many data determined in various farm or environmental conditions and farm management in those ten years of period is reasonably successful. Some cautions on health issues would help farm administration to make more profitable dairy farming.

134

Holstein , Reasons for culling , Parity , Yield

Yuzuncu Yil University Journal Of Agricultural Sciences

140