Season Associated Changes in Infectious and Claw Horn Lesions in a Free Stall Housed Dairy Herd

It has been suggested that the rate of claw horn lesion development may follow a seasonal pattern with a peak in the late summer (Cook, 2004). This study aimed to explore the association between ambient temperature and hoof lesion development in a freestall barn in Wisconsin over a four year period.

Materials and Methods
Hoof trimming records from a 390 cow free stall housed Holstein dairy herd were analyzed over a 4 year period. Holstein dairy cows were fed a TMR, milked three times a day and housed in 3- row pens with mattress bedded stalls. Rolling herd average milk production was 27,800 lbs. Pens were fitted with water soakers and recirculation fans over the feed bunk and soakers and ...