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Good weather conditions in the first quarter of the year led to the lowest number of bovine carcase submissions to regional veterinary laboratories (RVL) for testing, a new Department of Agriculture report has found.
Met Éireann data shows that January and February of 2019 were substantially warmer and drier than the historical average and good ground conditions with early grass growth may have allowed some livestock to be kept outdoors longer.
These factors led to a lower incidence of a wide range of common diseases.
In total, 8,185 bovine samples were submitted to the RVLs during this period.
The top 10 causes of cattle deaths for the first quarter of 2019 were:
1. Pneumonia.
2. Enteritis.
3. Bacteraemia/Septicaemia.
4. Enteritis and Septicaemia.
5. Peritonitis.
6. Acidosis Ruminal.
7. Botulism.
8. Navel ill/Joint ill.
9. Intestinal torsion.
10. Abomasitis-emphysematous.
The top 10 causes of foetal and perinatal death for the same period were:
1. Abortion: 489 calves - 68.0%.
2. Miscellaneous causes: 89 calves - 12.4%.
3. Anoxia/Hypoxia: 35 calves - 4.9%.
4. Hereditary and developmental anomalies: 25 calves - 3.5%.
5. Dystocia: 23 calves - 3.2%.
6. Perinatal mortality: 18 calves - 2.5%.
7. Placentitis: 7 calves - 1.0%.
8. Bacteraemia/Septicaemia: 7 calves - 1.0%.
9. Mummification: 2 calves - 0.3%.
10. Haemorrhage: 2 calves - 0.3%.
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