68 W. Hartwig 



2. Research on various breeds shows a small rise (1-5 to 2 

 years) in the average lifespan both of living cows and of cows 

 which died during the past two or three decades. We cannot 

 agree with the often expressed opinion that increased pro- 

 ductivity will cause the premature death of the animals. 



Stallions Percentage 



3. The lifespan of cows is considerably influenced by 

 economic factors, which frequently lead to the premature 

 killing of healthy animals. 



4. The most important causes of death that have a great 

 influence on the lifespan of cows are sterility, tuberculosis and 

 garget (mastitis). 



5. The average lifespan of bulls is still lower. Economic 

 factors act even more intensively here, so that the animals 

 only attain an average lifespan of between 3 years, 5 months 

 and 5 years, 4 months. 



6. The average lifespan of Arab mares in Poland was 

 stated to be 16*7 years and that of Poznan half-bred mares 

 11-5 years. 



7. Warm-blooded stallions at the Kreuz stud attained an 

 age of 13-5 years and cold-blooded stallions of Belgian origin 

 11*5 years. 



