Strategies to reduce dairy lameness by improving claw health. Is zero lameness a reachable goal?

Abstract

Lameness is a serious welfare issue and also affects dairy cow production, fertility, and longevity, with major economic consequences. Delayed treatment of lameness can often prolong recovery time and the possibility of complete recovery, so there are many incentives for farmers to diagnose and treat lame cows rapidly.

Severe lameness can appear suddenly, but can also be a slowly developing chronic condition. Farmers are less likely to recognize lameness than researchers, mainly because of different perceptions of lameness. Sole ulcers are strongly correlated with gait score (a numerical system), while an arched back shows a good correlation with lameness. A rapid lameness screening method based on standing with an arched back would be valuable to farmers. Research on lameness detection is also working to develop automatic systems to identify lame cows for early treatment.

Lame dairy cows almost always have at least one of many different claw disorders and/or leg lesions. The most common claw disorders causing lameness are sole ulcer and white line disease, affecting the claw horn, and digital dermatitis and foot rot, affecting the digital and interdigital skin. Different disorders must be treated correctly and a program must be devised to eliminate, reduce, or control the problem in the short-term and long-term. All programs must be based on management measures, because dairy managers/staff are responsible for decision making and performance on farms. However, the human element is often the greatest barrier to management changes. A whole herd investigation with functional trimming should be the first step in a maintenance/preventive footcare/trimming program. This enables detection and treatment of disorders and prevention of new lesions at the same time. If there is a lameness problem in the herd, it is advisable to check all cows in the herd at or around the same time. It is very important to keep records of all trimmings and claw care events, so that each individual cow can be tracked back in time in order to make the right decisions. As herds become larger, a system for recording claw lesions is needed. Infectious disease problems must rely upon good biosecurity, e.g., a five-point plan is now available for digital dermatitis. Feeding/nutrition is a direct and indirect factor in claw diseases, through supporting natural disease resistance and through manure contamination, but the importance of poor body condition as a cause or effect of lameness is uncertain. A grazing system is considered best from an animal welfare point of view, but management plays a significant role. Lameness problems can arise in all kinds of systems, as exposure of feet and legs to hard, abrasive and unhygienic floors is directly proportional to incidence of claw disorders and lameness. It is important to make good long-term strategic investments in new dairy barns as regards cow comfort and flooring. There are many options to improve comfort and hygiene in cubicles/stalls and walking areas, which will benefit the feet and legs of dairy cattle and reduce the risk of lameness. Improving genetics by breeding is a relatively long-term strategy to reduce claw disorders and lameness.

For long-living, high-producing dairy cows, both short-term and long-term strategies for healthy feet should be adopted. Short-term strategies include maintenance foot trimming, biosecurity, and nutrition, while longer-term strategies include management, housing, and genetics. By preventing claw disorders and detecting and treating lesions before lameness becomes apparent, zero lameness in the dairy herd can be achieved.

Intro lameness

Lameness is a troublesome problem in many dairy herds around the world. Apart from welfare, it also affects production, fertility, and longevity, and hence has major economic consequences [9, 11]. Lame cows are not allowed be transported to slaughter for welfare reasons. The mortality rate in Swedish dairy herds is 5.4% and of those euthanized, 70% are reported from the farmer to have foot and leg disorders [1]. This contributes significantly to high economic losses and reduced longevity [...]