References
Early detection and prompt effective treatment of lameness in dairy cattle
Abstract
Lameness remains a substantial challenge within the UK dairy industry despite significant investment and research in this area. The early detection and prompt effective treatment (EDPET) of new cases of lameness is vital in breaking the chronicity cycle associated with the condition yet remains an under-utilised approach. There needs to be a shift in focus away from using mobility scoring solely as an auditing tool. Mobility scoring should instead be used to empower producers to recognise early cases of lameness to maximise the long-term welfare of the animal and profitability of the unit.
Lameness continues to be a substantial welfare concern within our national herd with the latest research indicating that one in three cows are lame at any one time (Griffiths et al, 2018; Randall et al, 2019). Despite a significant drive towards the reduction of lameness over the last 20 years, there is no robust evidence to indicate that the national picture is improving. However, during this time there has been a significant increase in the body of research available surrounding the benefits of adopting ‘early detection and prompt effective treatment (EDPET)’ protocols on farm. Despite this, only a small proportion of the UK's dairy farms are incorporating this into their lameness control programmes. To ensure we control lameness in the longer term it is vital that this is not only more widely adopted, but that each element is undertaken correctly and efficiently to ensure that the potential of this programme is achieved.
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