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LAMENESS
Depending upon the specific problem and its
severity, lameness is likely to have a large
impact on a cow's performance in terms of
yield, fertility and longevity. A conservative
estimate of the average cost of an incidence
of lameness, in terms of treatment costs, loss
of yield and potential for shortened productive
life of the cow may be in the region of £180;
at current levels of incidence (up to a quarter
of a herd lame at any one time) this could
equate to a financial loss of nearly £15,000
for an average-sized herd.
Lameness can also lead to other herd health
problems, and on top of the problem for the
cows themselves, the ongoing challenge of
tackling lameness can affect staff morale on
the farm, and this in itself is an issue which
needs to be addressed.
Studies into the incidence of cow mobility
problems have suggested that the wide range
of lameness incidence is primarily due to
differences in herd husbandry and
management. This strongly suggests that dairy
cow mobility can be significantly improved
through changes to herd management. A high
level of lameness is not a problem which
has to be accepted as part of modern
dairy farming, even if lameness cannot be
eliminated entirely.
The DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme (DHFP)
builds on the widely respected work of the
Healthy Feet project, supported by the Tubney
Charitable Trust and carried out at Bristol
University Vet School. It has been developed
with vets in practice and foot trimmers, as well
as local and international lameness experts.
The programme corresponds with the DairyCo
Mastitis Control Plan, working in a similar
way to identify the cause of problems then
ways to tackle these with the help of a trained
advisor. We're also taking on board
learning from the Mastitis Control Plan, and
a central part of the programme is now to
ensure that both farmers and farm staff are
involved in learning to identify and treat
some of the causes of lameness.
The programme places emphasis on the
farmer and farm staff working with a trained
'mobility mentor', a vet or foot trimmer who
has attended a training workshop, and
understands the steps and approaches of
the programme.
There's much more farmers can be doing than
just knowing when to footbath and hoof trim.
Working with a mentor to identify and tackle
the causes of lameness means they have the
support they need to get their staff using the
right approach to get on top of the problem
and stay there.
D
airyCo successfully launched its new Healthy Feet Programme in September
2011. Designed to tackle lameness at the heart of its cause and consistently
reduce incidence, the programme involves trained professionals working
closely with farmers so they learn how to manage the problem themselves.
Kate Cross, DairyCo product manager explains.
Healthy
Feet
Tackling lameness at its heart
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
13
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