Early Identification Prevents Lameness
UK - Early identification and prompt treatment of lesions or injuries to cows’ feet is the most effective way to avoid more costly treatment, says DairyCo extension officer Jo Speed.
17 August 2010
2 minute read
Speaking in advance of her seminar in the Farm Health Planning area at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, Ms Speed says that regular mobility scoring is the key to getting on top of problems before they impact on the purse.
“Too often mobility problems only become obvious once the cow is very visibly struggling to walk,” says Ms Speed, “but by this time a cow will be scoring a 3 on the DairyCo mobility scoring system so will have serious foot health problems.
“Though more farmers are mobility scoring it is still not a part of routine checking on many farms,” says Ms Speed. “But with regular scoring, ideally once a month, farmers can quickly identify those cows scoring a 2 that may benefit from treatment. In many instances these cows will recover more promptly than those not trimmed until they are visibly lame.
“Early treatment will also help to prevent any infection or disease spreading,” stresses Ms Speed.
Ms Speed will be speaking alongside Nick Bell of Bristol University Healthy Feet Project at seminar sessions to be held in the Farm Health Planning area of the Dairy Event and Livestock Show. There will be two sessions per day, one at 12:40pm and another at 4:00pm.
The Dairy Event and Livestock Show will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 7th and 8th September 2010.
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