Investigation of Managerial Practices Related to Calves’ Survival in Dairy Cattle Farms: The Case of Çorum Province

This study was conducted using a Cross-Sectional Observational Design to determine the effects of current managerial practices applied in commercial dairy cattle farms in Çorum Province on calf survival. The main material of the study consisted of 120 active farms, which represent the general structure of the dairy cattle sector in the region. Data were collected via face-to-face surveys, and the scale’s reliability was confirmed (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.742) and suitability for Factor Analysis (KMO: 0.710) was verified. The results showed that while 88.33% of the farmers were members of a cooperative/union and 57.50% reported timely colostrum administration (within the critical <4 hours), these positive indicators contrasted sharply with low biosecurity and poor practical application. Specifically, calf mortality was high (42.50% of farms reported mortality rates >5%), mainly due to diarrhea and pneumonia, with 65.83% of deaths occurring in the first 30 days. Critical management deficiencies included uncontrolled colostrum feeding (85.00% via suckling, risking failure of passive transfer), severe biosecurity breaches (85.83% of calves housed with adult animals), and delayed introduction of solid feed. In conclusion, the primary challenge in Çorum is not lack of institutional access or basic knowledge, but rather a critical disconnection between theoretical knowledge and practical management implementation. To improve calf survival, management strategies should shift from traditional suckling to controlled colostrum protocols and emphasize the transition from group housing to individual calf hutches to ensure biosecurity.