Lameness can be a huge issue on Irish dairy farms at this time of the year, as cows are coming to the end of their lactation. They are heavier in calf, are more fatigued, and are often walking on uneven surfaces.
During autumn time, cows generally begin walking longer distances, as many farmers allocate more paddocks to the cows to extend the grazing season and build covers.
These paddocks tend to be further down the farm, meaning the cows have to undergo longer walks to get from the milking parlour to grazing and vice versa.
Many roadways, verges, and yards are in need of a repair, as the long grazing season and harsher weather in autumn has more than likely deteriorated many laneways and cow passes.
On an ongoing herd basis, recent studies show that lameness on Irish dairy farms cost in the region of €5,000/100-cow herd/annum, at a prevalence of 5%.
Lameness
A Teagasc Moorepark study found that lameness is in the region of 9% on Irish dairy farms and is at its highest during autumn time.
The study also showed that cows with problems in the spring were 10 times more likely to return in the autumn time lame again.
In a grazing herd, the lameness issues that arise the most are mechanical like bruising, white line disease and ulcers, rather than infectious diseases such as mortellaro, foul in the foot or other infections.
The good thing about mechanical hoof issues is that they are easy to manage, but attention to detail is required when it comes to cow flow, farm roadways and gathering yards.
Theses issues should be reviewed now as we enter into the highest risk time of the year and the areas that should be prioritised are as follows:
- Specific problem areas;
- Problem road surfaces;
- Interface areas;
- Roadway verges;
- Cow flow;
- Hoof trimming;
- Foot bathing.
Standing water, poorly drained areas, broken surfaces, shading under trees are all problem areas that can cause major lameness issues on farms and they should be rectified at this time of the year.
Small pebbles and grit are the main cause of white line disease and if they are identified upon hoof trimming, then there is an issue there that has to be rectified.
All surfaces should be smooth and well compacted which can difficult to maintain at this time of the year, but an effort should be made.
The step from roadway to concrete can cause problems as stones are flicked up and there is no give in the concrete, so, farmers should consider laying down a strip of astro-turf to flick off the stones before stepping on concrete.
Remove any grass verges, and grass and sod building up on the roadway as they will only impede drainage.
Sharp turn along the roadway or around the parlour should be removed, matting should be put down on congested areas and the collecting yard should have more than 1.5m2/cow, all in an effort to improve cow flow and reduce stress on cows’ feet.
Cows that were treated during the spring should be drafted for selective trimming at this time of the year, as lameness is a repeat offender problem.
Footbathing should be completed for infectious disease control and a clear protocol should be followed for the product use and the schedule of treatments.
Get any lameness issues that need to be sorted, sorted now, as when the cows get heavier in calf, the ground conditions become softer.