The Relationship between Lameness Scores and Productivity in Ontario Dairy Cattle

Lameness scoring is the standard the dairy industry uses to assess lameness in cows and herds. There is a need for data on the relationships between these lameness scoring systems and productivity.
The project objective was to evaluate the association between 3 lameness scoring systems and milk production and culling. Using a herds from a large cross sectional foot lesions study, lameness scoring was carried out 1-2 weeks prior to a hoof-trimming visit. Locomotion was assessed using a 4-point scale. In tie stall herds, back arch and leg score (angle between the spine and the interdigital space) were assessed.
Using a linear mixed model the association between lameness scores and milk production was evaluated. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the association between lameness score and culling.
No significant associations between leg score or back arch and milk production or culling were identified. Only cows with a locomotion score 4 had a significantly reduced projected 305M (-590 kg, P<0.05). However, when using ...