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Efficacy of curently reccommended control measures for lameness in dairy cows.
Leonard, Nola Crilly, Jim O'Farrell, Kevin
Leonard, Nola
Crilly, Jim
O'Farrell, Kevin
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1998-12-01
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Leonard, N., Crilly, J., O'Farrell, K., Efficacy of curently reccommended control measures for lameness in dairy cows, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 1998.
Abstract
Lameness is a multifactorial condition, the principal factors
influencing its development being genetics, nutrition, environment
and management. The objectives of the studies reported here were:
(i) To determine the incidence of lameness on selected Irish
commercial dairy farms,
ii) To identify and to quantify risk factors associated with
lameness on Irish dairy farms and
(iii) To evaluate the efficacy of recommended control measures for
lameness with the aid of information obtained through (i) and (ii).
• The average number of animals which became lame per six month
period (Jan-Jun or July-December) on 14 commercial dairy farms
was between 12 and 16 per 100 cows. On individual farms the figure
could be as high as 31 per 100 during any six month period.
• White line disease was the most common cause of lameness with
sole ulceration being the second most common.
• Poor maintenance of roads with little use of top dressing and the
presence of concrete roadways on farms were both associated with a
detrimental effect on lameness incidence. Thus, prevention of
lameness at pasture entails maintaining roads in good condition and,
if concrete roads are used for cows, care must be taken to ensure that
the junction between the concrete and the dirt road is maintained in
good condition and that the concrete is maintained free of grit.
• Cubicles on most farms have not been upgraded sufficiently to
provide adequate cow comfort. Many are too small for the size of
cows housed and bedding is frequently insufficient. Uncomfortable
housing conditions resulted in less lying behaviour and more
standing half-in cubicles.
• Restricted feed space was associated with more lameness.
Experimental studies suggested that this effect was likely to be
mediated through increased aggression between animals.
• Higher levels of concentrate feeding correlated with more
lameness. Increasing fibre in the diet in the form of sugar beet pulp
appeared to protect against lameness. There was some evidence that
feeding maize silage may increase lameness incidence but this effect
requires further study. Cows housed in all space-sharing cubicle designs tested showed
good lying times. The finding that cows will reduce use of cubicles
in order to stand on a soft matted area suggests that even spacesharing
cubicles may not always provide sufficiently comfortable
conditions for cows. It also reinforces the findings of work at
Moorepark and elsewhere that cows do not like standing on concrete
in addition to the fact that it can be detrimental to claw health.
All of the above findings suggest that lameness incidence could be
reduced by maintaining roads in good condition, avoiding the use of
concrete if possible, providing comfortable housing conditions and
avoiding all design features which reduce cubicle occupancy and
which increase aggression between cows.