Livestock Matters - Spring 2018

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE... 13 LIVESTOCK MATTERS MOB I L I TY Teamwork and a clear focus ensure excellent herd mobility Factors for their success are regular foot-trimming, diligent foot-bathing and a six-weekly mobility scoring service from their veterinary practice. But fundamental to their success is a team approach. Working together at Manor Farm, near Whitchurch, are farmers Steve Cox and son Tom, their farm staff, and from the Lambert Leonard and May (LLM) vet practice: vets Dan Stevenson, Bill May and Vet Tech Natalie Parker. Focus on lameness The herd at Manor Farm consists of 530 cows, giving 11,300 litres/cow on three times a day milking, with low yielders grazed in the summer months. The herd calves all year round, and either Dan or Bill visit fortnightly to carry out fertility checks. The Cox family also take advantage of LLM’s Vet Tech services. In the calf shed, weights are measured and monitored to ensure calf growth rates are on track, and assistance is given in implementing vaccination protocols and with record keeping. Mobility scoring of the milking cows, dry cows and in-calf heifers is carried out every six weeks by Natalie, so lameness cases can be identified and treated. Dan explains: “There has never been a massive lameness problem at this farm. Nevertheless, the Cox family have the mindset that they want to have no lame cows. The desire to change anything like this has to come from the farm team if it’s going to be successful. We vets just fill in the gaps by providing education and support. “The focus on feet began In February of 2014, when we audited the farm using what was then the Dairyco Healthy Feet programme; this involved assessing the types of lameness in the herd, identifying the risk factors, and also checks on people’s foot-trimming skills. “The main cause of lameness in the herd was sole ulcers. Improving cow comfort is key to reducing its incidence.” Tom explains: “We had tried a variety of bedding materials on top of the cubicle mattresses. Then two years ago we tried using sand - we converted a loose yard to cubicles with sand to see if there was any difference. There was. In fact, there’s nothing in the same league as it. Now, the new sheds have sand, and we converted the old cubicles to accommodate it too. The youngstock are also in cubicles and on sand.” Foot trimming policy Tom Cox was taught to trim hooves by his father and has also been on a couple of hoof trimming courses organised by LLM. Tom explains: “Cows are all trimmed at drying off, and receive further attention ad hoc when we see it’s needed. Almost every day Natalie Parker and Dan Stevenson Lamber t, Leonard and May A focus on identifying and promptly treating (even slightly) lame cows is ensuring one Staffordshire farming family maintain an excellent track record for good mobility in their high yielding herd. Tom (left) and Steve Cox Vet Tech Natalie Parker XLVets practice Lambert, Leonard and May Veterinary surgeon Dan Stevenson XLVets practice Lambert, Leonard and May