Reflections on Prevention and Control of Bovine Lameness in Australasian Pasture-based Systems

The dairy industries in Australasia are essentially a low-cost, low-return industry when compared with other countries. Dairy production is mainly based on the conversion of pasture into milk by grazing cows, and grazed pasture is the main component in the diet. Pastures grow and can be grazed throughout the year, and it is not necessary to house the dairy herd in expensive buildings at any time of the year. The reliance on grazed pasture as the main source of feed is made necessary because of the relatively low prices received for milk, and is made possible by the generally equable climate or the use of irrigation, both of which favour the growth and utilisation of pasture. In New Zealand, most herds are seasonal or factory supply herds in which the cows calve over a relatively short period of time (6- 8 weeks) in the winter/early springtime. All the milk produced is manufactured ...