Bovine-Herd-Claw Score, an Objective Tool to Monitor Herd-Claw Condition

Lameness and claw health are of increasing importance in herd-health management. This is especially true in dairy herds where cows are milked automatically leading to decreased attendance of herds men and in large high increased production levels. Early diagnosis and treatment of lesions in dairy herds is essential for controlling lameness in dairy herds and thus minimising the potential long-term implications of lameness. Most of this can be done at the time of routine herd claw trimming (Vermunt, 2004).
In The Netherlands, about 60% of the dairy farmers have their herds trimmed regularly (2x/year); an automatically PC-supported recording system for observed claw diseases has been developed. Additionally, data on claw disorders are converted into a total claw herd score and scores for claw disorders separately. The scores are calculated after correction for parity, days in milk and season of claw trimming. Based on these scores, advice is given as to how to improve claw health . The scores can be downloaded from the internet with a personal pass word immediately after sending the data to the main-computer, so these can be discussed by the herdsmen with his personal advisors (claw trimmer and herd veterinarian). Subsequently control measures (e.g. footbath frequencies, aspects of ...