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Table 4 Descriptive statistics and unconditional associations of categorical variables selected as candidates for multivariable model for within-herd cow mortality rate in years 2017–2018 in 212 Estonian dairy herds estimated in linear regression analysis

From: Herd-level risk factors for cow and calf on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds

Variable

Categories

n

Within-herd MRa

p-valueb

Herd typec

Dairy herd

199

4.88

0.281

Mixed herd

13

3.20

Proportion of Holstein breed cows

 < 90%

89

3.75

0.001

 > 90%

119

5.59

Missing

4

3.60

Regiond

Northeast

58

6.80

 < 0.001

Southeast

44

3.79

Southwest

72

3.88

Northwest

38

4.55

Farmer attending trainings within the last 4 years

Once

49

4.10

0.018

2–3 times

108

5.61

More than 3 times

31

4.36

No

24

2.97

Farmer using consultancy service within the last 4 years

No

14

3.68

0.046

Once

43

4.23

2–3 times

109

5.58

More than 3 times

46

3.75

Handling animals

Farmer and/or family members

51

2.95

 < 0.001

Employees in addition to farmer/family

26

3.12

Employees only

135

5.79

Veterinarian involved in detecting sick cows

No

168

4.36

0.026

Yes

44

6.37

Milking method

Pipeline milking/jug

81

3.71

0.033

Milking parlour

91

5.41

Automatic milking system

35

5.48

Combined

5

5.65

Housing system

Tie stall

76

3.75

0.022

Free stall

130

5.30

Combined

6

6.72

Grazing

No

83

5.79

 < 0.001

Yes

96

3.29

Only dry cows

33

6.57

Bed surface material

Concrete

83

4.01

0.058

Rubber

72

4.68

Mattress

35

6.58

Deep litter

17

4.90

Combined

5

5.96

Analysing roughages in the laboratory

No

35

3.02

0.002

Yes, not every year

29

4.13

Yes, every year

148

5.32

Dry period feed ratio based on silage analysis

No

99

3.57

 < 0.001

Sometimes (in less than 50% of times)

13

4.75

Mostly (in more than 50% of times)

22

5.63

Always

76

6.16

Missing

2

NEe

Frequency of hoof trimming

No

39

4.05

0.016

Less than once a year

31

3.62

Once a year

60

4.24

 ≥ 2 times per year

82

5.96

Digital dermatitis diagnosed in a herd

No or unaware

148

4.19

0.019

Yes

62

6.18

Missing

2

NEe

Place of calving

Group pen

69

5.94

0.005

Individual pen

41

4.46

Tiestall

84

4.32

Combined or otherf

16

3.25

Missing

2

NEe

Use intramammary products at dry-off

No

23

3.84

0.045

Sometimes (less than 50% of cows)

36

4.10

Often (50–75% of cows)

16

6.70

Mostly (75–95% of cows)

23

3.99

Always (more than 95% of cows)

114

5.07

Way of responding to questionnaire

Postal

127

4.62

0.332

Phone

85

5.02

  1. aWithin-herd mortality rate of cows in years 2017 to 2018 (per 100 cow-years)
  2. bEstimated in bivariable linear regression models including herd number of cows
  3. cDairy herd—at least 75% of cattle were of dairy breed; mixed herd – more than 25% of cattle were of beef breed
  4. dNortheast Estonia: Ida-Viru, Lääne-Viru, Jõgeva, Järva county; Southeast Estonia: Tartu, Valga, Võru, Põlva county; Southwest Estonia: Pärnu, Viljandi, Saare county; Northwest Estonia: Harju, Rapla, Lääne, Hiiu county
  5. eNot estimated due to small number of farms belonging to that category
  6. fOther: calving on pasture and its combinations between other systems