Cow mobility is one of the most important factors in herd health, with lameness the most significant welfare issue affecting dairy herds. Lameness cases can be costly and also impact on milk yield and fertility, so good hoof health protocols can help improve productivity and profitability.
At a Farming Connect event in Usk, vet Sara Pederson, a specialist in cattle health, outlined the main issues affecting mobility in dairy herds and discussed best practice when dealing with lameness cases.
“We need to assess what the levels of lameness are in a herd, what’s causing it and target any risk factors,” she said. “There are four areas that influence lameness and hoof health: low infection pressure; good horn quality and hoof shape; low forces on the feet; and early detection and prompt, effective treatment of lame cows.”
Maintaining low infection pressures on farm through good hygiene, slurry management and foot bathing cows will help keep bacteria away from the feet that can cause digital dermatitis. Good horn quality and hoof shape will strengthen weight-bearing capabilities and reduce the risk of sole ulcers and white line disease. Sole ulcers are more likely to develop if cow comfort is poor and where cow flow is an issue on farm, white line disease can be more prevalent.
“Finally, the sooner we treat cows, the sooner they’re going to get better. This relates to all lameness issues, so mobility scoring is very important,” added Sara.”