A questionnaire on the health, management, and performance of cow-calf herds in Quebec

Questionnaires were mailed to 520 cow-calf producers in Quebec in order to compare management practices and herd performance according to herd size (s mall: <40 females, or large: greater than or equal to 40 females) and in 4 geographic areas for the 1995 calving season. Owners of large herds adopted management practice and preventive measures more often than did owners of small herds. Average calving and weaning rates were 95% and 87% respectivel y. Average perinatal and preweaning mortality rates were between 4.9% and 5 .6%. A greater percentage of owners with large herds than owners of small h erds reported diarrhea and pneumonia problems. Among large herds, the numbe r of herds experiencing pneumonia and calf mortality associated with diarrh ea tended to be higher in areas of the northwest. Calf mortality due to pne umonia was higher in the northeast. No regional variation was found among s mall herds. Further research is needed to identify diseases risk factors.