Calf mortality in the Danish cattle herds registered in July was at a record low, with a fall of 37.5% in comparison to the same month in 2010.

While the minority of Danes will remember the month of July as a super summer month – it was a great month for Danish calves. Calf mortality in July was the lowest ever recorded – only 2.5%. In comparison the figure last year was about 4%. Traditionally mortality is lowest during the summer months and greatest during the winter months. And this year the figure was very low for July.

- It is a very pleasing trend, said senior adviser Peter Enemark, Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, Cattle Department.

- Since the sector set focus on reducing calf mortality in 2007 cattle farmers have achieved a continual fall. Unfortunately there was a worrying increase during the hard winter months last winter. But that perhaps resulted in cattle farmers making greater focus on calf mortality during the spring and summer months, explained Peter Enemark.

Sustainable trend
He pointed out that the good figures refer to calf mortality for the age group 1-30 days. It is too early in the year to determine mortality for the age group 1-180 days, which is the normal age group referred to in this subject.

- But the few figures available for that group indicate the same trend with a good fall in July, said Peter Enemark.

The Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, Cattle Department initiated a campaign “Living calves and winning cows” in 2007 with a target of reducing calf mortality (1-180 days) to 5.5% by 2013.

- The 2.5% for July contributes significantly to attaining the target of 5.5% on an annual basis, said Peter Enemark.
He also said that the available data clearly indicate that a prolonged downward trend has been achieved thanks due to the persistent efforts of cattle farmers.