Farm-level risk factors and treatment protocols for lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle.

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dc.citation.issue4
dc.citation.volume72
dc.contributor.authorMason WA
dc.contributor.authorMüller KR
dc.contributor.authorLaven LJ
dc.contributor.authorHuxley JN
dc.contributor.authorLaven RA
dc.coverage.spatialEngland
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-15T01:59:43Z
dc.date.available2024-07-15T01:59:43Z
dc.date.issued2024-05-08
dc.description.abstractAims To identify farm-level risk factors for dairy cow lameness, and to describe lameness treatment protocols used on New Zealand dairy farms. Methods One hundred and nineteen farms from eight veterinary clinics within the major dairying regions of New Zealand were randomly enrolled into a cross-sectional lameness prevalence study. Each farmer completed a questionnaire on lameness risk factors and lameness treatment and management. Trained observers lameness scored cattle on two occasions, between October–December (spring, coinciding with peak lactation for most farms) and between January–March (summer, late lactation for most farms). A four-point (0–3) scoring system was used to assess lameness, with animals with a lameness score (LS) ≥2 defined as lame. At each visit, all lactating animals were scored including animals that had previously been identified lame by the farmer. Associations between the farmer-reported risk factors and lameness were determined using mixed logistic regression models in a Bayesian framework, with farm and score event as random effects. Results A lameness prevalence of 3.5% (2,113/59,631) was reported at the first LS event, and 3.3% (1,861/55,929) at the second LS event. There was a median prevalence of 2.8% (min 0, max 17.0%) from the 119 farms. Most farmers (90/117; 77%) relied on informal identification by farm staff to identify lame animals. On 65% (75/116) of farms, there was no external provider of lame cow treatments, with the farmer carrying out all lame cow treatments. Most farmers had no formal training (69/112; 62%). Animals from farms that used concrete stand-off pads during periods of inclement weather had 1.45 times the odds of lameness compared to animals on farms that did not use concrete stand-off pads (95% equal-tailed credible interval 1.07–1.88). Animals from farms that reported peak lameness incidence from January to June or all year-round, had 0.64 times odds of lameness compared to animals from farms that reported peak lameness incidence from July to December (95% equal-tailed credible interval 0.47–0.88). Conclusions Lameness prevalence was low amongst the enrolled farms. Use of concrete stand-off pads and timing of peak lameness incidence were associated with odds of lameness. Clinical relevance Veterinarians should be encouraging farmers to have formal lameness identification protocols and lameness management plans in place. There is ample opportunity to provide training to farmers for lame cow treatment. Management of cows on stand-off pads should consider the likely impact on lameness.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.editionJul 2024
dc.format.pagination171-182
dc.identifier.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38719276
dc.identifier.citationMason WA, Müller KR, Laven LJ, Huxley JN, Laven RA. (2024). Farm-level risk factors and treatment protocols for lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle.. N Z Vet J. 72. 4. (pp. 171-182).
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/00480169.2024.2345257
dc.identifier.eissn1176-0710
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.issn0048-0169
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/70177
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherTaylor and Francis Group
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00480169.2024.2345257
dc.relation.isPartOfN Z Vet J
dc.rights(c) 2024 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectLameness
dc.subjectconcrete
dc.subjectdairy cattle
dc.subjectrisk factors
dc.subjecttreatment
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectLameness, Animal
dc.subjectCattle
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectRisk Factors
dc.subjectDairying
dc.subjectCattle Diseases
dc.subjectCross-Sectional Studies
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectPrevalence
dc.subjectSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.subjectFarms
dc.subjectFarmers
dc.titleFarm-level risk factors and treatment protocols for lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle.
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id488890
pubs.organisational-groupCollege of Health
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