Herd's message: "No hurry, No worry"
A survey of Canterbury, North Otago and South-land dairy farmers highlighted herd management practices that appear to have an influence on lameness in dairy cows. The survey was carried out as part of a study into the relation-ship between dietary fiber and lameness in dairy cows currently being carried out in Canterbury
Nutritionist Wybe Kuperus says 342 questionnaires were sent out and, based on 108 replies, it appears there may be relationship between how cows are handled on the way to the dairy and the incidence of feet problems. Cows that were pushed along. both on the track and in the yard showed increased lameness. Cows that had to walk further than 1 km to the dairy also showed higher incidence of feet problems. The message seems to be 'no hurry, no worry', he says.
Less lameness in Dairy Cows
About 43% of herds were al-ways allowed to walk to the dairy at their own pace. and this group showed less lameness than the 57% of herds that were not always allowed to walk at their own pace.
In the group that was always allowed to walk at their own pace, 56.5% had a lameness incidence of between 0% to 5%, 37% had an incidence of 6% to 15%. and 6.5% had greater than 15% of the herd lame.
When cows were not always allowed to walk at their own pace. 24.6% of the herds had 0% to 5% lameness, but 62.3% fell into the 6% to 15% lameness category. and 13.1% had more than 15% of the herd lame.
Higher use of the backing gate to push cows into the dairy also appears to increase feet problems. In herds where the backing gate was moved more than 10 times, 24% had more than 15% of the herd lame.
If the backing gate was moved less than 10 times. 5% of the herds suffered more than 15% lameness in dairy cows, and 43% had an incidence of 0% to 5% lameness in the herd. Survey figures also showed that walking less than 1km to the dairy was associated with less lameness. This may be because more walking increases the chance of mechanical damage and increases the chance of human impatience in bringing the herd in.
Other Statistics - Dietary Fiber and Lameness in Dairy Cows Survey
Other factors which became apparent in the survey:
- Small herds are less vulnerable to lameness in dairy cows
- Herds with more overseas Holstein-Friesian genetics may be more vulnerable to high incidence of lameness.
- Herds fed grain recorded more lameness in dairy cows.
- Herds walking on tracks with a high crown (over 50cm height difference between middle of the track and side) had less lameness compared with herds walking on tracks with lower crowns.
- Herds fed brassicas seem more vulnerable to lameness, with Southland herds fed brassicas showing increased lameness during spring. This may be due to rumen upsets, with change of diet to pasture leading in turn to laminitis and reduced claw quality.
Mr Kuperus says while survey results highlight possible relation-ships. more work needs to be done to prove cause and effect
He says application has been made to Dairy InSight to carry out research in Southland on the impact the transition from brassicas to pasture, and vice versa, has on hoof health.
The survey results were compiled and analysed by research assistant Marius-Hans Troost from Lincoln University. He and Mr Kuperus are working with consultant and veterinarian Helwi Tacoma and Fred Hoekstra of Veehof Dairy Services on the Canterbury study into the effect of dietary fiber on lameness in dairy cows.
Fred Hoekstra - Dietary Fiber and Lameness in Dairy Cows Expert
