CALF MORTALITY AND ITS POSSIBLE CAUSES IN CHATTOGRAM DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

In cattle production, calf mortality is a serious problem that has a negative impact on the economy, food security, and rural communities. This production report explores calf mortality and its causes in Bangladesh's Chattogram district, which is important to the country's livestock economy. The study shows that the first four weeks of a calf's life are the most crucial for survival through an investigation of management practices, environmental impacts, and health considerations. The risks of death are influenced by illnesses, poor diet, and inadequate housing. From January 2022 to July 2023, surveys were conducted on a variety of dairy farms around the district to gather information on calf death rates, disease prevalence, and age-related effects. In addition to identifying farms with various mortality rates, the analysis looked at changes in disease patterns over the course of the two years. Notably, mortality rates for ailments like LSD and diarrhea decreased, perhaps as a result of efficient preventive efforts, but rates for illnesses like parasitic infections and abortion showed rising mortality rates. The fragility of younger calves is highlighted by the fact that calves aged 1-3 months regularly experienced higher mortality than those aged 4- 6 months. In order to lower calf death rates, the study emphasizes the necessity of better management techniques, disease control strategies, and addressing environmental concerns. This thorough understanding can help livestock producers in Chattogram improve calf health, animal welfare, and overall operational sustainability, enhancing both food security and the region's livestock industry's economic stability.