February 27, 2024

Industry wide initiative launched to enhance mobility in UK dairy herds

A new collaborative effort aimed at assisting UK dairy farmers in addressing compromised mobility in herds and enhancing productivity has been introduced, marking a significant step forward in cattle health and welfare, The Scottish Farmer reported.

The initiative, known as Stride – the UK dairy mobility initiative, is spearheaded by various industry partners including HerdVision, Ceva, IVC Farm Vets, Neogen, and Zinpro, with support from several industry organisations.

Matt Dobbs from HerdVision underscored the significance of addressing lameness, stating its detrimental effects on herd fertility, productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Despite its impact, there's a lack of a national overview of lameness in dairy cattle, which Stride aims to rectify by providing valuable insights to guide practical solutions.

The core objective of Stride is to conduct a national survey to gauge producers' perspectives on lameness, its implications for herd health and welfare, and its economic repercussions. The findings will inform the industry and offer actionable strategies to mitigate lameness-related costs and consequences.

To engage farmers and stakeholders, Stride plans to organise on-farm events focused on mobility improvement during the summer months. These events will emphasize the importance of reducing cow lameness and garner support from industry stakeholders and government bodies.

Dobbs encouraged farmers to participate in the online survey, marking the beginning of Stride's comprehensive efforts. By gathering data on UK dairy cattle mobility, the initiative aims to develop effective measures to elevate mobility levels across the national herd, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the dairy industry.

-      The Scottish Farmer