Effects of Regular Claw Trimming in Different Housing Systems

Claw disorders are a major problem in modern intensive dairy production. Lameness in cattle is a multi-factorial disease. Factors reported to contribute to the development of lameness include environment, nutrition as well as infectious, genetic and behavioural causes. The majority of lesions does not result in lameness, but if not treated they can lead to severe problems. Changes in dairy farming systems over the past years have seen a dramatic decline in the number of dairy units and at the same time, an increase in the number of cows kept at each of the remaining units. Animal welfare laws necessitate changing of existing structures. Lameness is a major economic and welfare problem in dairy herds. Environment has a major impact on the incidence of lameness. Ongoing economic pressures, the consumers demands for safe and healthy food as well as the claim of the ...