Approach to Lameness at a Herd Level

Question 1

What are the three main sources of lameness data on farms?

Answer 1

Mobility scoring
Foot trimmer records
Treatment records

Question 2

What are the four areas on farm that we can look at to improve cases of lameness?

Answer 2

Underfoot surfaces and cow flow
Cow comfort, standing and lying times
Underfoot hygiene and foot bathing
Stockmanship

Question 3

What are the feed/water trough space requirements per cow?

Answer 3

Water trough space - 0.2m/cow
Feed trough space - 0.7m/cow

Question 4

For how long per day do cows spend lying down?

Answer 4

14hrs/day

Question 5

What are the three major determinants of cubicle comfort?

Answer 5

Cubicle lying surface
Cubicle hardware/design
Stocking rates

Question 6

What are the two cubicle designs called?

Answer 6

Cantilever v newton rigg

Question 7

How may cows show that there is poor cubicle comfort?

Answer 7

Stall standing index
Hock lesions
Positioning in cubicles

Question 8

List three substances that you can bathe cows feet in

Answer 8

2-5% formalin
2-5% copper sulphate
2.5-5% zinc sulphate

Question 9

What is the best approach to preventative foot trimming?

Answer 9

All feet of all cows are examined and trimmed at drying off

Question 10

Which substances can you supplement to cows to prevent white line disease?

Answer 10

Biotin