18. The Most Common Dairy Cattle Diseases That Cause Million-Dollar Losses

HERDSECURE TECHNICAL BRIEF

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Subclinical ketosis tops the list of major dairy cattle diseases worldwide, according to an upcoming study by Dr. Philip Rasmussen from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with research teams from Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

This disease is estimated to cause losses of up to 18 billion dollars annually. Subclinical ketosis occurs when dairy cows have elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood due to a lack of glucose, which impacts milk production, fertility, and overall animal health.

Because it shows no obvious symptoms, early detection is difficult—amplifying its economic consequences.It is followed by clinical mastitis, with $13 billion in losses, and subclinical mastitis, with $9 billion.

12 Major Dairy Cattle Diseases Worldwide:

1. Subclinical ketosis – $18 billion

2. Clinical mastitis – $13 billion

3. Subclinical mastitis – $9 billion

4. Lameness – $6 billion

5. Metritis – $5 billion

6. Ovarian cysts – $4 billion

7. Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease) – $4 billion

8. Retained placenta – $3 billion

9. Displaced abomasum – $0.6 billion

10. Dystocia (difficult calving) – $0.6 billion

11. Milk fever (hypocalcemia) – $0.6 billion

12. Clinical ketosis – $0.2 billion

In the United States, according to the Journal of Dairy Science (Vol. 100, 2017), displaced abomasum ranks as the leading dairy disease, followed by mastitis and lameness.

In many cases, cows suffer from multiple diseases at the same time—a phenomenon known as comorbidities. The researchers adjusted their data to reflect these overlaps, estimating that global losses would have been overestimated by 45% without accounting for them.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY

• Global economic losses:Major dairy cattle diseases cause an estimated $65 billion in global losses annually, mainly due to reduced milk production, lower fertility, and premature culling.

• Global distribution and regional differences:Economic impacts vary significantly by region:

  • Subclinical ketosis accounts for 35% of losses in Oceania and 24% in Europe.

  • Clinical mastitis is more prevalent in Europe, contributing to 25% of milk-related losses, while in Oceania it accounts for only 10%.

• Cost per cow:The average annual loss per cow, adjusted for comorbidities, is $351, with wide variation by country:

  • In Nigeria: $72 per cow

  • In South Korea: $1,900 per cow

• Most affected countries (total impact):

  • India – $12 billion

  • United States – $8 billion

  • China – $5 billion

• Per capita economic impact:

  • New Zealand – $220 per person per year

  • Ireland – $140

  • Denmark – $70

CONCLUSION

The impact of major dairy cattle diseases is substantial and represents an urgent challenge for the global dairy industry. These diseases not only result in massive economic losses but also threaten animal welfare, production efficiency, and the long-term sustainability of this vital sector.

Diseases like subclinical ketosis, mastitis, and lameness not only reduce milk yield but also affect milk quality and herd longevity—often forcing producers to cull cows prematurely and absorb costs from treatments, fertility losses, and reduced productivity.

To address this challenge, dairy producers must adopt more effective preventive and management strategies. The use of animal health monitoring technologies, advanced nutrition protocols, and well-implemented health programs can significantly reduce disease incidence. Early detection and proactive management—especially for subclinical diseases like ketosis—are key to minimizing economic losses.

Improved herd health doesn’t just benefit the industry through greater efficiency—it plays a critical role in ensuring global food security. With food demand projected to rise by 56% by 2050, the dairy sector must maximize productivity sustainably, reducing losses from disease and minimizing environmental impact.

Organizations like the FAO have already warned about the growing importance of animal health practices in safeguarding the global food supply. Likewise, regional studies in Oceania and Europe reflect the need for tailored regional approaches to tackle the diseases affecting dairy herds.

In short, combating the major diseases affecting dairy cattle is not just an economic opportunity—it’s a strategic necessity. Healthier herds mean a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient dairy industry—ready to meet the food demands of future generations.