Indicators of Lameness

Lameness is a big issue for Australian dairy farmers. Lame cows produce less milk, lose weight and take longer to get in-calf. Learn about the indicators of lameness in this overview of Dairy Australia’s Healthy Hooves prevention program. This short video explains the 4-point Healthy Hooves lameness scoring system, the 6 areas to identify in your cow, and how to use the scoring system to identify which cows will likely benefit from treatment. You'll also learn how to best observe the cows as they walk to and from the dairy to fully identify their lameness score. You'll also see exactly what to look for in identifying a lame cow, such as a bobbing head and a limp on the back foot. With early identification of your lame cow you can avoid disruption to the herd and lessen the impact on productivity of the dairy.
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