Development of a Lameness Control Programme for Dairy Cattle

Over the last two years, Welfare Quality® researchers have been developing a Lameness Control Programme (LCP)
for dairy herds. This has involved reviewing recent research, developing and refining lameness detection and
scoring methods, and consulting European farmers on their views on lameness control and the kind of support
they would find helpful. The opinions of the farmers surveyed have been taken into account.

           

The majority of farmers expected that they would involve an adviser when using the LCP, although some said
that the answers must come from within the farm. 42% said they would prefer a method that did not require
a computer. Thus, we felt it would be important to provide a means whereby the LCP could be followed
without computer access or outside help.

70% of the farmers who ranked lameness as their highest herd health concern said they would consider using
an LCP, although responses varied between countries. Among the components of the suggested LCP, the
most valuable were considered to be the structured approach to addressing a lameness problem, and an
increased understanding of the causes of problems on the farm. The majority of farmers considered it extremely
important that the plan should be effective, cost effective, and provide a quick, easy solution to the lameness
problem.

However, lameness due to claw horn lesions is unlikely to be solved quickly, due to the chronic nature
of damage to the feet, and prolonged effort is needed to see benefits. Farmers need to be aware that the
benefits of following the LCP may take time to become apparent, to prevent them from becoming disillusioned
about lameness control. The outcome is a set of materials that will help farmers and advisers to investigate
the scale of a herd lameness problem, understand the likely causes, and work towards practical solutions.

• Welfare Quality® Report Development of a Lameness Control Programme for Dairy Cows
• Folder Welfare Quality Lameness Control Programme for Dairy Cows
• Fact sheet Reducing Lameness in Dairy Cows 
  Verringerung von Lahmheiten bei Milchkühen
  Réduction des boiteries chez les vaches laitières
  Ridurre la percentuale di zoppie nelle vacche da latte
  Reducción de las cojeras en las vacas lecheras

The researchers are still working on an interactive Risk Assessment Tool, which will be made available
through this webpage as from January 2009.

This material is part of the Welfare Quality® research project which has been co-financed by the European Commission, within the 6th Framework Programme, contract No. FOOD-CT-2004-506508. The text represents the authors’ views and does not necessarily represent a position of the Commission who will not be liable for the use made of such information".