Herd Lameness - a Review, Major Causal Factors, and Guidelines for Prevention and Control

Today's dairy cows face many different environmental and management challenges than the cows of the past. High energy rations, confinement on concrete, constant exposure to corrosive conditions, conformation defects, and perhaps even increased body size are some of the risk factors that increase the probability of lameness. However, despite an increased awareness of these factors, high levels of lameness in dairy herds have persisted into the 21st century, and continue to be one of the largest financial drains to the dairy industry. Worldwide research indicates that as many as 60% of a herd may become lame at least once a year. Lameness also presents a specific animal welfare issue of concern, since pain and discomfort associated with lameness can be prolonged. It has been recognised that lameness has a negative impact on milk yield, both before ...