Prevalence, persistence, and costs of acidosis in Holstein cows across breeding regions

This research aimed to analyze the prevalence, persistence, and economic impact of acidosis in Holstein cows, with a focus on the influence of the breeding region. The study utilized 3,953,549 test-day records for Holstein cows collected from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2022. Data were grouped based on the breeding regions in Croatia: Central, Eastern, and Mediterranean. The prevalence of acidosis risk and acidosis was determined by analyzing the fat-to-protein (F/P) ratio and daily milk yield. Additionally, the impact of acidosis on milk yield was assessed at different time points after the occurrence of acidosis. The economic implications were calculated by estimating the monthly and total differences in milk quantity and value following acidosis detection, considering the region of breeding. The findings provide valuable insights into the effects of acidosis on dairy cow productivity and highlight the importance of region-specific strategies to mitigate its economic consequences.