Using the Abortion Cost Calculator
The Abortion Cost Calculator enables farmers and advisers to calculate the cost of abortions at three stages (90 days, 180 days and 240 days). Strategies can then be developed to help particular herds and give farmers a better idea of the cost benefits of preventative medicine and vaccination programmes.
Using the Cost Calculator
In the cost calculator the variables mentioned can be altered to reflect the local conditions.
Values and targets for the following can thus be adjusted:
- milk yield
- milk price
- feed costs
- fertility management and targets
- livestock cost and values.
UK model
A model was run under UK circumstances to calculate the cost of typical abortion rates e.g. 7% at 90 days, 3% at 180 days, 3% at 240 days compared with an abortion rate of 0%.
In a 100 cow herd with typical yields and fertility the cost of abortion is £12,726. Poor herd fertility is often linked to abortions caused by diseases such as BVD, IBR, Leptospirosis and Neosporosis. When this istaken into account, the total cost rises to £43,000 per 100 cows.
Through methods such as vaccination simply reducing abortion rates from 7% to 3% in a 100 cow herd can improve profits by £4000 per year. As the vaccination programme is maintained over a few years increased benefits will be seen.
If herd fertility improves, the benefits are even greater. An increased rate of heat detection from 50% to 60% and pregnancy from 42% to 50% will save £14 000.
Combining reduced abortion rates and increased herd fertility the total saving is about £18 000 per 100 cows, this equates to 3p per litre.
Taken from information provided by Dr. R. J. Esslemont.
