Small Changes for a Big Impact in Lameness Reduction
/Daily lame cow numbers aren’t quite up there with Omicron cases, but they’re certainly not reducing. With the nature of the weather this year, neither the cows, nor farm staff, are getting a break when it comes to lameness. While the weather has played a large part in the increased numbers, lameness is of course multifactorial. It is hard during the milking season to make infrastructure changes to tracks, so remembering the impact humans have on lameness is important in keeping numbers as low as possible even with other on-going issues:
Walking distances – older, heavier cows should ideally be walking the least distance on the farm. With many people on 16 hourly or similar the distance cows are walking is already reduced, but still consider trying to keep at risk cows in paddocks closer to the shed. As ever, cows in a lame mob should be as close as possible.
Standing times – starting milking as soon as is practically possible after cows have been collected is a good tool in reducing lameness. Decreased pressure on feet means smaller chance of white line separation and subsequent lameness
Feed management – do lame cows go skinny or do skinny cows go lame? This could be an article in itself. Keeping cows in good body condition will maintain a good fat pad in the foot which protects the bone in the foot from damage and lameness
Pushing cows – maintaining distance and bringing cows in at a relaxed pace will allow the cows to be a bit more selective on where they walk on deteriorating tracks. Cows will naturally slow down walking on poor tracks so allowing a bit more time than normal when bringing in cows and not getting frustrated at a slower pace could save a case or two of lameness every day.
Cow flow – hopefully at this stage in the season cow flow in and out of the shed should be good. Keep top gate use to a minimum or not at all. Backing gate shouldn’t be used in the first 20 minutes of milking and should either be set on a timer thereafter or moved a small amount after a certain number of cows have been milked. The backing gate should only ever be used to close space on a yard – never to physically move cows.
Collecting yard – make sure the collecting yard is properly hosed down after each milking and ready for the next. Lots of stones are being brought on to yards just now and getting rid of them is a huge help in reducing lameness.
Treatment –early, effective treatment of lame cows is still the most powerful tool in helping reduce future lameness. Using blocks or cow slips gives the damaged hoof chance for repair. Administering an anti-inflammatory (such as ketomax) will help decrease chances of permanent change within the hoof and also provide pain relief to lame cows.
Lameness in a season like this can certainly be overwhelming and it’s a depressing sight to see big numbers in the lame cow mob. If you need help with treating cows, please don’t hesitate to ring us.
