The welfare of a lame cow is affected in at least three ways: 1) it interferes with natural behaviors such as walking, lying down and interacting with herdmates; 2) it impairs normal function by reducing milk production and reproductive efficiency; and 3) the pain impacts the cow’s affective states of physical and mental well-being.

The cost of lameness per cow is variable but may range from as low as $90 to $400 or more, making it one of the costliest diseases of dairy cattle. The animal welfare effects and costs alone are sufficient to require our action, but as the caretakers of dairy cattle, we also have a moral and ethical responsibility to reduce the suffering of cows affected by lameness. With these thoughts in mind, what can we do to manage lameness more effectively and improve the welfare of cows that develop lameness?

Early detection of lameness

The first step to improving the welfare of lame cows is to detect the condition when it is in its earliest stages. Prompt detection requires careful observation of cows for early indicators of lameness. Observers should note cows with an arched back and a mildly abnormal gait pattern. Too often, cows are found when the disease is quite advanced.

One of the best opportunities to detect lameness is moving cows from the pens to holding pens at milking. Employees who move cows should pay particularly close attention to the cows that are the last ones in the group. The observations of these people, along with other parameters, such as reduced milk production and activity, can ensure early detection of lameness.

Prompt treatment

To make the most of detecting lameness early, dairies need to have a system in place for prompt treatment.

Cows found lame should be examined and treated within 24 to 36 hours. This requires that the farm have a hoof trimming chute and trimmers who understand hoof care and are properly equipped to do it. Those personnel new to hoof trimming should be trained in proper trimming methods and treatment of lameness disorders. In particular, they should know how to avoid overtrimming, perform a corrective trimming of hoof lesions and apply a hoof block.

Since severe lameness conditions are inevitable, hoof trimmers need to be comfortable with methods for anesthetizing the foot when correcting painful foot problems. Once they understand the techniques, hoof trimmers need good equipment – knives, hoof nippers and angle grinders with wheels fitted with blades appropriate for the hoof conditions they are likely to encounter. Finally, hoof trimmers rely on a sharp knife for much of their work; therefore, they need effective knife sharpening systems. This may include a bench grinder fitted with specialized wheels for sharpening hoof knives.

While training and equipping trimmers for hoof care on the dairy may seem like a huge investment, if it improves the outcome by treating animals early, it will pay dividends long term. Several studies have shown that dairy farm operations that treated lame cows within a day or week of identifying them as lame had a lower prevalence of lameness than operations that waited up to a month to treat cows.

Hoof-trimming chutes

There is much debate about which chute is best – the tilt table or the stand-up type trimming chute. The trimming chute experience is stressful for cows, regardless of the type of chute used. Both types work very well in the hands of people who understand how to use them and avoid injury to the cow or themselves.

There are only two studies that have attempted to address this question, and both favored the tilt table as less stressful for the cow. The primary difference in these studies was the time required to trim hooves. In the comparisons that were made, trimmers on the tilt table were able to work a little faster, and this reduced the overall level of stress.

The take-home point is that the quicker the cow is on and off the table or in and out of the stand-up chute, the less stressful the experience for the cow. If hoof-trimming speed is an issue, the problem may possibly have to do with the layout of the trimming area and cattle handling practices. Professional trimmers know this very well.

Proper layout of hoof-trimming areas

One of the key factors that make the trimming chute experience bad is the layout of the trimming area. Cows prefer a daily routine that never changes. It becomes stressful whenever cows are pulled from the herd because it breaks their routine and assembles them with unfamiliar cows. When pens are ill-designed, requiring trimmers to prod cows in holding pens or in alleyways leading to the hoof trimming chute, it’s an experience a cow never forgets. It is important to remember that cows have good memories of bad experiences.

Conclusion

The key to preserving the welfare of cows that may develop lameness requires early detection and prompt treatment. Hoof trimmers who are well trained and equipped to treat lame cows as they occur will reduce the prevalence of lameness in dairy herds. If herds don’t have on-farm trimmers, they must establish a relationship with a professional trimmer or trimmers who can provide hoof care services for lame cows when necessary.

Hoof-trimming chutes, whether a tilt table or stand-up style, are a matter of preference; there is relatively little information to suggest that one is less stressful than the other. The more important factor is the time restrained on the chute. The layout of the hoof trimming area is possibly the most important factor for maximizing the efficiency of treating lame cows. Cows remember people and circumstances that caused them discomfort and anxiety. Try to make the experience the best it can be by making changes that improve cattle handling and reduce the need for prodding. This will also improve the welfare of lame cows.

This article contains excerpts from a presentation by JK Shearer at the Dairy Cattle Welfare Council meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, June 3-6, 2024.

References are omitted but available upon request by sending an email to an editor.