Improvements in cattle lameness
The last thing any farmer wants is lame cows that will lose production and fertility – before you can do anything she is on the cull cow list.
Prevention is key when it comes to managing the overall foot health of a herd.
An animal with good locomotion and mobility will show signs of rhythm and even weight bearing across all four feet. The animal will take long, fluid strides and walk with a straight top line. When an animal’s steps start to become uneven and strides shortened, it is likely this animal would benefit from a routine foot trim as a precautionary measure.
A cow that is unable to walk fast, cannot keep up with a healthy herd, and walking with an arched back is showing symptoms of being lame. She will benefit from medical treatment immediately.
Mobility scoring can be a hugely beneficial way to observe, monitor and measure the level of severity of lameness in a herd. With mobility scoring, every animal is regularly assessed for early signs of poor mobility, prompting action such as foot trimming or treatment.
It can also help to identify trends at any early stage and it provides peace of mind that general foot health conditions are continually being observed.
Nick Challenor, ND Challenor Professional Livestock Services
