Major causes and risk factors associated with calf mortality in dairy farms in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in dairy farms in Khartoum state in order to determine the major causes and risk factors associated with calves' mortality. The main results revealed that out of 2,310 animals a highest mortality rate was in Hilat kuku 2.16% (n = 50), followed by Alrudwan and Alseleit 1.73% (n = 24) and 1.04% (n = 40), respectively. Application of analytical statistic using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between the mean of the three sites. The most dominant clinical signs in calves was pneumonia, with prevalence rate of 1.08% (n = 25), 1.08% (n = 25) and 0.079% (n = 18) in Alseleit, Hilat kuku and Alrudwan, respectively. In contrast, diarrhea was not observed in two sites. The difference was statistically significant (X 2 = 95.265, P-value = 0.00). Most of the respondents (owner) of the questionnaire survey had a primary level regarding education; Hilat kuku 29.3% (n = 22) and Alseleit 26.7% (n = 20). Further more, most of them had experience of more than 3 years in dairy farms; Hilat kuku 33.3% (n = 25) and 29.3% (n = 22) for the rest of the sites. Education level and experience were found to be statistically significant (X 2 = 8.067 and 3.261, P-value = 0.089 and 0.089, respectively). Some risk factors associated with calves' mortality rate with regard to management were observed in dairy farms in Khartoum state. For instance, a high significant level (X 2 = 17.910, P-value = 0.00) was obtained for feeding of the calves which mainly depended on milk; 33.3% (n = 25) for Alseleit and Hilat kuku and 22.7% (n = 17) for Alrudwan. Moreover, dealing with dead calves was also found to be highly significant (X 2 = 11.949, P-value = 0.003) and most of the respondents did nothing regarding this point; Alseleit 25.3% (n = 19) and Hilat kuku 14.7% (n = 11). In contrast, there no significant level (P > 0.05) was recorded for hygiene, quarantine and presence of veterinary services.