ABSTRACT
CAUSES OF CULLING AND DEATH IN DAIRY HERDS IN THE SANTIAGO PROVINCE, BETWEEN 1967 AND 1970

Carlos Alberto Dulcic B.1, Armando Baglina L.2 y Carlos Cuevas P.3
 

A sample of 2.308 dairy cows in the Santiago province was used to study the causes for death and culling of cows, between 1967 and 1970. The data is analized according to year, season and size of herd.
Reasons for culling cows were grouped in 14 causes rlated to reproduction, several diseases milk production and direct ecnomomic factors. Death were grouped similarly in 9 causes.
The main results were: cullings were 45.97% and death 7.50%. Replacements were not enough, ending this study with only 78.16% of the females that started. fact and leg problems accounted for 35.62% of the culling. Bloat was responsable for 50% of the deaths.

Keywords:
1Méd. Vet., Presidente del Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Casilla 5427, Santiago, Chile.
2Méd. Vet., Secretario Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 13, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile.
3Méd. Vet., Programa de Producción Lechera, Estación Experimental La Platina, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias.