Evaluation of some herd management practices and calf losses in cattle farming enterprises in Çavdır district of Burdur province

In this study, an evaluation of some herd management practices and calf mortality was conducted in dairy cattle farms in Çavdır district of Burdur province. A total of 50 randomly selected farms, representing 6,83% of the total 732 farms in Çavdır, were surveyed face-to-face with the breeders to determine the calf mortality rate and investigate the underlying causes of these deaths. The survey questions were categorized into three main topics to reveal the demographic characteristics of farm owners, farm management, owners' knowledge of livestock farming, and information about calf management on the farms. According to the survey results, the age distribution of farm owners ranged from 22 to 74 years old, with an average age of 49,34. It was concluded that the younger population tends to stay away from the livestock sector. The total number of animals per farm ranged from 8 to 252, with an average of 40,52 animals per farm. Only 2 farms were found to keep records of their operations. It was understood that colostrum was provided within the first 2 hours in all farms. The average calf mortality rate reported by the participating breeders was 11,6%. These deaths mostly occurred at the ages of 3rd and 4th weeks. It was observed that the calf mortality rate was directly proportional to the total number of animals on the farm. While the average calf mortality rate was found to be 10,16% in 43 farms with total animal population below 100, it was 20,42% in 7 farms with 100 or more animals. There was no significant difference in calf mortality rate between male and female farm owners. The average calf mortality rate in farms owned by women was 11,75%, while it was 11,57% in farms owned by men. It was concluded that this situation was a result of joint management of the farms with spouses. In 8 farms where the owners were under the age of 40, the average calf mortality rate was 10,25%, while it was 11,85% in farms where the owners were 40 years old or older. Although the professional experience of the under-40 age group is less, their lower calf mortality rate suggests that farm owners in this age group reach developments in livestock farming more quickly. There was no significant difference in calf mortality rates based on the educational level of farm owners. The average calf mortality rate was 11,72% in 40 farms where the owner had primary school education or did not complete any school, 10,16% in 6 farms where the owner had completed high school, 14% in two farms where the owner had an associate degree, and 11% in two farms where the owner had a bachelor's degree.