Assessment of Lameness Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors on 227 Dairy Herds in England and Wales

Visits were made to 227 dairy farms in England and Wales between October 2006 and May 2007 by one of four researchers. At each visit all milking cows were locomotion scored (lameness scored) using a 4 point scale (0 = perfect tracking up, 1= mild gait abnormalities, 2 = lame, 3 = severely lame). The mean prevalence of lameness (score 2 and 3) across the study farms was 36.5% (range 0-79.2%). On each farm the presence of commonly reported risks for increased lameness within the housing and grazing were recorded. Each farmer was interviewed to determine the ability of the farm staff to detect and treat lameness. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted. Risks factors in the housing and grazing associated with increased lameness were the presence of damaged concrete in yards, pushing or sharp turns occurring near the parlour entrance or exit, the presence of slippery concrete in yards and the presence of automatic scrapers. Management factors associated with increased lameness were not having a footbath, not treating lame cows within 48hours of detection, insufficient time given to detecting lameness across the whole herd and the common occurrence of severe heel erosion, interdigital growths or toe necrosis as ...