Identifying lameness is challenging. Without routine assessments, on-farm and consistent case definitions, understanding the percentage of dairy cows lame at any one time makes it difficult to determine the effect of lameness prevalence. Still, lameness at any level can cause pain, reduce milk production, shorten longevity and diminish reproductive performance.
Researchers set out to understand how lameness prevalence changed in relation to case definition and assessment frequency. They concluded lameness prevalence estimates are dependent upon case definition and that the use of more stringent case definitions results in fewer cows classified as lame.
<Study> results suggest that routine locomotion assessments be conducted at least every 2 weeks, and that cows should be defined as lame based on two consecutive assessments.”
Source: Journal of Dairy Science, July 22, 2022. Link.
INSIGHTS: Lameness education and training is an opportunity for dairy veterinary teams.