August 1, 2017
Good cow flow underscored as key to reducing lameness
Good cow flow cuts stress in cows and reduces lameness by lowering wear and damage to feet, besides improving efficiency of operations around the dairy farm.
Thus stressed renowned New Zealand veterinarian Neil Chesterton, who is speaking at a series of 10 AHDB Dairy open meetings across the UK this August and September, followed by a webinar focusing on reducing pressures on the foot, a key to reducing lameness.
Lameness costs the average dairy herd more than 1 pound (US$1.32) per litre in lost milk yield, treatment, higher culling rates. It also affects cow welfare and staff morale. The meetings will help farmers understand the causes through working with a cow's natural instinct and how it is possible to help reduce incidence and improve mobility.
Speaking about the meetings, Knowledge Exchange Senior Manager Richard Davies of the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board, said, "Neil believes that one of the key factors in the fight against lameness is reducing forces on the feet, and this includes aspects such as cow comfort and cow flow. The way we move and handle cows and the surfaces they walk on affects their feet and therefore impacts lameness levels".
"So we need to consider how walking on cow tracks, and handling in and around the milking parlour and around buildings in general all contribute. The good news is there are practical ways to minimise foot damage in existing systems, and also when carrying out alterations or building new facilities", he added.
As part of AHDB Dairy's Healthy Feet programme, Chesterton will guide farmers around the facilities on GB dairy units in the series of open meetings. He will show visitors where the main risks to cows' feet are and offer practical ways and innovative suggestions to minimise damage, including the proper way of handling
cows when moving them.
Webinar
Join Chesterton on Tuesday, August 29, at 19:00–20:00 UK time (20:00–21:00 CET), when he will focus on reducing pressures on the foot, a key to reducing lameness. To register for this webinar, visit
www.dairy.ahdb.org.uk/events.
Meetings
|
Date |
Venue |
This Party |
|
21/08/17 |
Hillhead, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Lockerbie DG11 3NQ
By kind permission of Willie Fleming |
Firth Vet Centre |
|
22/08/17 |
Gelt Side Farm, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1TA
By kind permission of Thomas Fisher |
Capontree Vets |
|
23/08/17 |
Washfold Farm, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5JZ
By kind permission of Metcalfe Farms |
Bishopton Vets |
|
24/08/17 |
Fields Farm, Occlestone, Cheshire CW10 0LZ
By kind permission of Jeremy Platt |
Willows Vets |
|
25/08/17 |
Nant y Bach, Llangrannog, Ceredigion, SA44 6RN
By kind permission of Chris Mossman |
Andrew Tyler |
|
29/08/17 |
Saltby Dairy Unit, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 4RF
By kind permission of K & R Wellwood |
Vale Vets
|
|
30/08/17 |
Oakshill Farm, pontesbury, Shropshire, SY5 0XQ
By kind permission of Longden Manor |
Shropshire farm vets
|
|
31/08/17 |
Gourds Farm, Compton Abbas, Dorset, SP7 0ND
By kind permission of Steve Parsons |
Friars Moor vets |
|
01/09/17 |
Gateshayes farm, Whimple, Exeter, EX5 2PA
By kind permission ofL & H Bowker |
Vale Vets
|
|
04/09/17 |
Trevissick farm, Trearren, St Austell, PL26 6BQ
By kind permission ofDavid Treleaven |
Kernow farm & equine |
