Characterisation and Analysis of Proximate at Hoof Hazards for Lameness in Dairy Heifers

The aetiology of lameness in dairy cattle is complex. Over 100 different tangible “on-farm” hazards have been identified. These may be broadly defined within three generic categories: environment, management and intrinsic properties of the animal. As a prerequisite to a lameness control programme tailored to individual farm needs, it is necessary to determine the relative importance of risks associated with all potential hazards. For the purpose of analysis 100 tangible hazards is too many, three generic categories is too few. We have categorised the totality of tangible hazards within 10 classes of proximate hazard, defined in terms of direct physical and biological events occurring “at foot”. Analysis of results from an intervention study involving 60 farms was used to explore associations between risks arising from the 10 proximate hazards and lameness measured on a 6-point scale (0-5) and defined as “unsound” (1-5) or “severely lame” (4-5).
The two most important hazards for unsoundness were environmental; prolonged standing on concrete and excess of slurry. The two most important hazards for severe lameness were ...