managementThe study was performed from January 2007 toDecember 2011 in a Holstein–Friesian dairy herd locatedin central Israel, with 500 dams and a history of 15%Neospora-associated abortions. The herd is kept under anintensive maintenance system. The access of other animalsto the herd, including canids, is strictly minimized. Theway in which neosporosis was introduced into the herdis unknown. There is no seasonal breeding managementin the herd; artificial insemination is performed aroundthe year. All the animals were bred by artificial insemina-tion. On day 42 post insemination, pregnancy examinationswere performed routinely by palpation per rectum (fetal-membrane slip method). Pregnancies were reconfirmed onday 110–130 post insemination, before serum sampling.All animals were vaccinated against brucellosis, food andmouth disease (FMD) bovine respiratory syncytial virus(virus(BRSV), rinderpest virus (RPV), infectious bovine rhinotra-cheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and clostridiosis.Early culling management based on the Neospora sero-status, reproductive failure or number of abortions was notpracticed in this herd. According to the clinical veterinarian,the only criterion for culling was economic considerationbased on the level of milk production or aging of cows,irrespective of abortion events.