reasons for culling of holstein dairy cows in neishaboor area in northeastern iran

this study was designed to determine the culling rates of 23 holstein dairy herds (with an average size of180 cows per herd) in neyshabur area in northeastern iran over a period of three years from 2001 to 2003.the average annual culling rate was 13.1%, (98.5% involuntary and 1.5% voluntary). of the total disposals(1612 cows), 53.48% were culled by the end of five years of age. poor fertility was the most important reason for culling (34.9% of disposals), followed by digestive disorders (12.6%), alimentary problems (10.85%),mastitis (9.6%) and lameness (8.3%). more detailed epidemiological studies are needed to plan and implement healthcare programs. these programs targeted toward diseases that lead to culling would be prerequisite for a profitable farming.