A methodology for assessment of the health-production complex in dairy herds to promote welfare

The paper is a brief review on the application of qualitative and quantitative (epidemiological) research methods in whole herd studies of health and economy. Herd management, other herd constraints, or interaction between animals and herd factors were the main factors influencing livestock disease occurrence and the biological effects of disease. Consequently, management decisions were, by far, found to be the most important single option for reducing the occurrence of livestock health problems with obvious systemic symptoms. Consequently, they are important to promote the welfare of the animals. Epidemiologic tools were developed to identify rational and practically relevant herd-specific options for improving cattle welfare. Examples related to health and involuntary culling were provided. The complexity of the methodology due to the requirements of a potential user to have a broad knowledge of health, production, and economics was found to be both a major advantage and disadvantage for research purposes.