Reducing Lameness in NZ dairy cattle
Lameness has health, productivity and wellbeing implications for dairy farms globally. Lameness is painful for the cow and has the potential to reduce the overall lifetime performance of dairy cows due to milk production loss, reduced reproductive performance and culling. The financial impact of lameness in NZ is estimated at $250 per lameness case or $15,000 per year (assuming an average herd size of 420 cows with an incidence of 14%).1 However, if individual farm data is entered into the lameness cost calculator estimates are in the order of $500 or more per lameness case, and this will be a more realistic figure as this tool takes into account the longer-term impacts of lameness, milk production loss, reduced reproductive performance and culling.
Lameness is most commonly observed around mating (i.e. November in NZ), with a second peak in late summer. Claw horn lesions (white line and sole disease) account for 80% of the lameness in NZ dairy cows. The greatest period of risk for these lesions developing starts at least 2 weeks before calving and lasts for at least 12 weeks after calving.
Around calving the fat pad becomes thinner and the ligaments inside the hoof relax. This makes the corium (soft tissue within the hoof) more susceptible to damage, known as the calving effect. The calving effect combined with other cow, management and environmental risk factors increase the risk of lameness. If lameness is left untreated, inflammation of the corium can result in permanent changes in the hoof structure increasing the likelihood of future lameness.
We know that early detection (MONITOR) and prompt effective treatment (MANAGE) with a trim, block and 3 days of KetoMax 15% achieves better outcomes for lame cows – including pain relief, faster recovery, improved reproductive performance, less culling and less future lameness (MINIMISE).5,6,7,8 Better for the cow, better for the farmer and better for NZ Inc.
Making lameness treatment less of a grind:
See our Making lameness treatment less of a grind video series here, outlining how to make treating lame cows easier, faster and better.
The latest thinking in reducing lameness in dairy herds:
Listen to Dr Winston's approach to stopping the negative cycle of one case of lameness leading to another; by improving the way we treat lame cows.
Dr Winston Mason: Early detection and prompt effective treatment
Listen to Dr James Wilson present the latest on lameness in dairy herds, reducing future prevalence and improving lame cow outcomes.
Dr James Wilson: Lameness management on farm
Key principles to achieving better outcomes for lame cows:
MONITOR:
Early detection is the first principle to achieving better outcomes for lame cows.
Episode 1: Reducing Lameness – Monitor
So how are lame cows detected on-farm?
● If farmers are only looking for lame cows at the back of the herd, they will miss 40% of them.3
● Studies also show farmers only detect 25% of clinically lame cows when compared to a trained lameness scorer.2,3
● Delayed lameness detection will result in delayed treatment and result in poorer outcomes.
● The farm team need to continue their daily detection of lame cows PLUS add in lameness scoring of the whole herd (ideally fortnightly), to help pick up those more subtle cases of lameness.
● Lameness scoring is not difficult, watch the DairyNZ lameness scoring video, and get the whole farm team involved.
● The bottom line for early detection is aim to do better than what you are doing now.
● Once detected, lift the hoof to diagnose the cause. 80% of lameness cases are claw horn lesions (white line and sole disease).
Remember, for a faster recovery, improved reproductive performance, less culling and less future lameness, you have to combine early detection with prompt effective treatment.5,6,7,8
MANAGE
Prompt effective treatment is the second principle to achieving better outcomes for lame cows.
Episode 2: Reducing Lameness – Manage
So what does prompt effective treatment actually look like?
● “Prompt” treatment = lifting the foot and treating the lameness ASAP after detection. Delaying this step will = poorer outcomes.
● “Effective” treatment = a trim, block and 3 days of KetoMax for pain relief.
● All lameness is painful so don’t reserve blocks and KetoMax just for the ‘bad ones’.4 5 6
● Take a look at our ‘Making lameness treatment less of a grind’ video series to get you on the right track.
When prompt effective treatment is combined with early detection, lame cows will recover faster, have improved reproductive performance, will be less likely to get lame again, and less likely to be culled.5,6,7,8 But remember you have to do both together!
MINIMISE
Early detection and prompt effective treatment is ONE of the best ways to minimise future lameness, but don't forget about the other risk factors on-farm, in particular reducing pressure on cows in early lactation.
Episode 3: Reducing Lameness - Minimise
So what is the biggest risk factor for lameness?
● The biggest risk factor for lameness is a previous case of lameness.
● That is why early detection AND prompt effective treatment is one of the best ways to minimise lameness.
But don't forget about the other risk factors:
● Maximise time in the paddock – less time standing on concrete and more time to lie down in the paddock = better cow comfort.
● Calm, patient stockmanship. Don't push cows, use the backing gate sparingly.
● Minimise BCS loss post calving by meeting BCS targets, good nutrition during early lactation, preferentially feed at-risk cows.
● Focus on heifers/young cows, delaying the first case of lameness will reduce future lameness.
● Maintain tracks and races so cow flow is not negatively impacted.
DOWNLOAD OR VIEW:
On-Farm Resources:
● Managing Your Dairy Herd to Reduce Lameness Poster here.
Ask your local vet for an A3 laminated copy for your milking shed wall (ready to affix).
DairyNZ also has numerous useful resources including:
● Lameness scoring system to identify lame cows
● Healthy Hoof app
● Lameness cost calculator
Vet Resources:
Read our Technical Bulletin N7.1 on: Lameness Management in NZ Dairy Cows here.
Read our Technical Bulletin N5.2 on: Pain relief in NZ Dairy Cows here.
Improving cure rates for lame cows linked here, and Limping up to mating item linked here.
Full Length Video: Reducing lameness in NZ dairy herds here.
Vet clinic newsletter: Get to lame cows earlier and break the lameness cycle
AgriNews: MONITOR, MANAGE, MINIMISE
AgriHealth Associated Products:
KetoMax 15% is a registered vet medicine that treats pain and inflammation associated with lameness. KetoMax has a nil milk with-holding period when administered to NZ dairy cows daily for up to three days.
ACVM Registration Number A11031. Restricted veterinary medicine. Available only under Veterinary Authorisation.
1 Dairy NZ. Preventing and managing lameness guide
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/anim... 2017
2Fabian J, Laven R. A, Whay H R. The prevalence of lameness on New Zealand dairy farms: a comparison of farmer estimate and locomotion scoring The Vet Journal; 201(1): 318, 2014
3Beggs, D., E. Jongman, P. Hemsworth, and A. Fisher. 2019. Lame cows on Australian dairy farms: A comparison of farmer-identified lameness and formal lameness scoring, and the position of lame cows within the milking order. Journal of dairy science 102(2): 1522-1529
4Thomas, H.J., et al. 2015. Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomised controlled trail. Journal of Dairy Science 98(7):4477-4486
5Groenevelt, M., et al. 2014. Measuring the response to therapeutic foot trimming in dairy cows with fortnightly lameness scoring. Veterinary Journal 201(3):283-288
6Wilson, J., et al. 2022. Effects of routine treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at calving and when lame on the future probability of lameness and culling in dairy cows: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Dairy Science 105(7):6041-6054
7Thomas et al. 2015. Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Dairy Science 98(7):4477-4486
8Alawneh et al. 2011. The effect of lameness on the fertility of dairy cattle in a seasonally breeding pasture-based system. Journal of Dairy Science 94(11):5487-5493
Reducing Lameness in NZ dairy cattle
Lameness has health, productivity and wellbeing implications for dairy farms globally. Lameness is painful for the cow and has the potential to reduce the overall lifetime performance of dairy cows due to milk production loss, reduced reproductive performance and culling. The financial impact of lameness in NZ is estimated at $250 per lameness case or $15,000 per year (assuming an average herd size of 420 cows with an incidence of 14%).1 However, if individual farm data is entered into the lameness cost calculator estimates are in the order of $500 or more per lameness case, and this will be a more realistic figure as this tool takes into account the longer-term impacts of lameness, milk production loss, reduced reproductive performance and culling.
Lameness is most commonly observed around mating (i.e. November in NZ), with a second peak in late summer. Claw horn lesions (white line and sole disease) account for 80% of the lameness in NZ dairy cows. The greatest period of risk for these lesions developing starts at least 2 weeks before calving and lasts for at least 12 weeks after calving.
Around calving the fat pad becomes thinner and the ligaments inside the hoof relax. This makes the corium (soft tissue within the hoof) more susceptible to damage, known as the calving effect. The calving effect combined with other cow, management and environmental risk factors increase the risk of lameness. If lameness is left untreated, inflammation of the corium can result in permanent changes in the hoof structure increasing the likelihood of future lameness.
We know that early detection (MONITOR) and prompt effective treatment (MANAGE) with a trim, block and 3 days of KetoMax 15% achieves better outcomes for lame cows – including pain relief, faster recovery, improved reproductive performance, less culling and less future lameness (MINIMISE).5,6,7,8 Better for the cow, better for the farmer and better for NZ Inc.
Making lameness treatment less of a grind:
See our Making lameness treatment less of a grind video series here, outlining how to make treating lame cows easier, faster and better.
The latest thinking in reducing lameness in dairy herds:
Listen to Dr Winston's approach to stopping the negative cycle of one case of lameness leading to another; by improving the way we treat lame cows.
Dr Winston Mason: Early detection and prompt effective treatment
Listen to Dr James Wilson present the latest on lameness in dairy herds, reducing future prevalence and improving lame cow outcomes.
Dr James Wilson: Lameness management on farm
Key principles to achieving better outcomes for lame cows:
MONITOR:
Early detection is the first principle to achieving better outcomes for lame cows.
Episode 1: Reducing Lameness – Monitor
So how are lame cows detected on-farm?
● If farmers are only looking for lame cows at the back of the herd, they will miss 40% of them.3
● Studies also show farmers only detect 25% of clinically lame cows when compared to a trained lameness scorer.2,3
● Delayed lameness detection will result in delayed treatment and result in poorer outcomes.
● The farm team need to continue their daily detection of lame cows PLUS add in lameness scoring of the whole herd (ideally fortnightly), to help pick up those more subtle cases of lameness.
● Lameness scoring is not difficult, watch the DairyNZ lameness scoring video, and get the whole farm team involved.
● The bottom line for early detection is aim to do better than what you are doing now.
● Once detected, lift the hoof to diagnose the cause. 80% of lameness cases are claw horn lesions (white line and sole disease).
Remember, for a faster recovery, improved reproductive performance, less culling and less future lameness, you have to combine early detection with prompt effective treatment.5,6,7,8
MANAGE
Prompt effective treatment is the second principle to achieving better outcomes for lame cows.
Episode 2: Reducing Lameness – Manage
So what does prompt effective treatment actually look like?
● “Prompt” treatment = lifting the foot and treating the lameness ASAP after detection. Delaying this step will = poorer outcomes.
● “Effective” treatment = a trim, block and 3 days of KetoMax for pain relief.
● All lameness is painful so don’t reserve blocks and KetoMax just for the ‘bad ones’.4 5 6
● Take a look at our ‘Making lameness treatment less of a grind’ video series to get you on the right track.
When prompt effective treatment is combined with early detection, lame cows will recover faster, have improved reproductive performance, will be less likely to get lame again, and less likely to be culled.5,6,7,8 But remember you have to do both together!
MINIMISE
Early detection and prompt effective treatment is ONE of the best ways to minimise future lameness, but don't forget about the other risk factors on-farm, in particular reducing pressure on cows in early lactation.
Episode 3: Reducing Lameness - Minimise
So what is the biggest risk factor for lameness?
● The biggest risk factor for lameness is a previous case of lameness.
● That is why early detection AND prompt effective treatment is one of the best ways to minimise lameness.
But don't forget about the other risk factors:
● Maximise time in the paddock – less time standing on concrete and more time to lie down in the paddock = better cow comfort.
● Calm, patient stockmanship. Don't push cows, use the backing gate sparingly.
● Minimise BCS loss post calving by meeting BCS targets, good nutrition during early lactation, preferentially feed at-risk cows.
● Focus on heifers/young cows, delaying the first case of lameness will reduce future lameness.
● Maintain tracks and races so cow flow is not negatively impacted.
DOWNLOAD OR VIEW:
On-Farm Resources:
● Managing Your Dairy Herd to Reduce Lameness Poster here.
Ask your local vet for an A3 laminated copy for your milking shed wall (ready to affix).
DairyNZ also has numerous useful resources including:
● Lameness scoring system to identify lame cows
● Healthy Hoof app
● Lameness cost calculator
Vet Resources:
Read our Technical Bulletin N7.1 on: Lameness Management in NZ Dairy Cows here.
Read our Technical Bulletin N5.2 on: Pain relief in NZ Dairy Cows here.
Improving cure rates for lame cows linked here, and Limping up to mating item linked here.
Full Length Video: Reducing lameness in NZ dairy herds here.
Vet clinic newsletter: Get to lame cows earlier and break the lameness cycle
AgriNews: MONITOR, MANAGE, MINIMISE
AgriHealth Associated Products:
KetoMax 15% is a registered vet medicine that treats pain and inflammation associated with lameness. KetoMax has a nil milk with-holding period when administered to NZ dairy cows daily for up to three days.
ACVM Registration Number A11031. Restricted veterinary medicine. Available only under Veterinary Authorisation.
1 Dairy NZ. Preventing and managing lameness guide
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/anim... 2017
2Fabian J, Laven R. A, Whay H R. The prevalence of lameness on New Zealand dairy farms: a comparison of farmer estimate and locomotion scoring The Vet Journal; 201(1): 318, 2014
3Beggs, D., E. Jongman, P. Hemsworth, and A. Fisher. 2019. Lame cows on Australian dairy farms: A comparison of farmer-identified lameness and formal lameness scoring, and the position of lame cows within the milking order. Journal of dairy science 102(2): 1522-1529
4Thomas, H.J., et al. 2015. Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomised controlled trail. Journal of Dairy Science 98(7):4477-4486
5Groenevelt, M., et al. 2014. Measuring the response to therapeutic foot trimming in dairy cows with fortnightly lameness scoring. Veterinary Journal 201(3):283-288
6Wilson, J., et al. 2022. Effects of routine treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at calving and when lame on the future probability of lameness and culling in dairy cows: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Dairy Science 105(7):6041-6054
7Thomas et al. 2015. Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Dairy Science 98(7):4477-4486
8Alawneh et al. 2011. The effect of lameness on the fertility of dairy cattle in a seasonally breeding pasture-based system. Journal of Dairy Science 94(11):5487-5493
