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Seventy-three Colorado cow/calf operations were monitored for calf mortality from birth to weaning as part of their participation in the National Animal Health Monitoring System. Producer-observed causes of calf mortality, and the costs associated with these deaths were obtained. The overall calf mortality during the study was 4.5%, with a total associated cost of $237,478. The mean cost per calf death was $216, of which $208 was attributed to the potential value of the calf and an additional $8 was for veterinary, drug, producer's labor, and carcass disposal expenses. The most commonly reported causes of calf mortality were dystocia (17.5%), stillbirth (12.4%), hypothermia (12.2%), diarrhea (11.5%), and respiratory infections (7.6%). These 5 disease conditions accounted for > 60% of all calf deaths. A cause was not determined for 19.7% of the calf deaths. Beef producers and veterinarians have the potential to decrease calf mortality and increase profits in cow/calf operations by implementing management strategies and herd health programs designed to decrease the number of calf deaths caused by these disease conditions.

An observational study was conducted to quantify the effects of management practices on reproductive performance and disorders of beef cows. The study population consisted of 44 randomly selected Colorado cow-calf herds monitored for disease and reproductive events as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System. The managers of the herds were surveyed with a standardized questionnaire to determine specific management characteristics of their operations. Data were analyzed using the random-effects multiple logistic regression model. Outcomes of interest were calving rate, herd incidence rates of dystocia and combined reproductive disorders, and calf mortality rate. A higher calving rate was associated (P less than .01) with a decreased percentage of replacement females in the herd, a shorter breeding season, a smaller herd size, and a lower percentage of bulls being used as yearlings. Incidence rates of both dystocia and combined reproductive disorders were found to be lower (P less than .01) in herds that were fed cottonseed cake as a winter supplement, but higher (P less than .01) in herds that were fed grass hay as a winter supplement. Herds located in the mountains of Colorado had lower (P less than .01) incidence rates of dystocia and reproductive disorders than herds located in the eastern plains. Calf mortality rate was found to be higher (P less than .05) with calving seasons that began earlier in the year. Higher calf mortality rates were associated (P less than .05) with an increased incidence of dystocia, the commingling of cattle on summer range, and smaller herd size.