Cow lameness: the vet's opinion
- Lameness is the leading cause of culling in France. Why is the health of cows' feet a major issue for breeders?
There are two reasons why the cow's foot should be the focus of the breeder's attention, even before any lameness is noticed. Firstly, because there is often an imbalance between growth (5mm/month on average) and hoof wear, depending on the type of surface used by the cows (type of floor in the buildings, access to pasture or not). The breeder's role is therefore to maintain the right balance through functional trimming (ideally twice a year).
The second reason is that incipient lameness is often difficult to detect. It is not uncommon for the breeder to detect lameness when it is already advanced to level 3 or 4 (lameness score from 1 to 5 according to the international standard; score 5 is often incurable and leads to culling). The later lameness is detected, the more difficult it is to treat.
- What are the external causes of lameness? Does the presence of stones on the ground play a role?
Lameness is directly linked to living conditions on the farm. Prolonged standing is unnatural for cows. In barns, this is all the more true when the floor is hard and abrasive, a source of hyperplasia (excessive hoof growth) and sole congestion.
In stalls, stones can also injure feet. They are omnipresent in feed stored in silos, and find their way into cow droppings and then into the barn. The impact of stones on the floor can quickly become infected by bacteria present on the soil. Building hygiene is therefore essential from this point of view.
- So the flooring of buildings can be a key factor in preventing lameness?
As part of an overall strategy of vigilance and herd monitoring, the design of the building obviously plays a part in limiting lameness problems. Bioret Agri's Magellan anti-slip flooring takes all these aspects into account, from the hardness of the floor to the presence of stones falling into the grooves and the cleanliness of the building. Urine drainage is particularly interesting from this point of view, as ammonia is very aggressive for the sole. On uneven floors, damp stagnation can occur, a veritable breeding ground for bacteria. This problem disappears completely with Magellan cow matting. Its non-slip "grip" also limits slips, which are often a source of lameness. Generally speaking, Bioret Agri takes animal welfare into account in the design of its products.
When it comes to building layout, you'll also need to consider the presence of foot baths and the need for an easily accessible trimming cage. No two lamenesses are alike. To treat it, you need to identify the cause of the lesion. The only way to cure lameness is to lift the cows' feet.
- Identifying lameness: how do you go about it?
Symptoms of lameness can be assessed a little more easily in dynamic conditions. The cow moves more slowly, putting her painful foot down less. Statically, at the feed fence for example, the farmer needs to be vigilant for certain suggestive signs:
- The cow spreads her legs wider to reduce pressure on the painful hoof.
- The line of the back is curved, the cow has a "round back".
- She lifts her head as she places her painful foot on the floor.
These malfunctions will be easier to detect if the herd is regularly monitored and the cows move serenely on stable, supple ground.
With Farmconsult, Dr Fabozzi provides independent support for farmers in implementing their business strategy, covering all aspects of herd management and building layout. He is well acquainted with Bioret Agri products, and has observed their positive effects on cow and farm health.
