Working together to reduce cattle lameness

Investigating your lameness problem

This flowchart gives an overview of the process for managing and controlling lameness in dairy herds.

Use the website to find out more about different aspects of the lameness management process.

To tackle a herd lameness problem you need to consider the following questions. Information and materials are available on the website to help you do this:

• How big is the problem in your herd?
• What type(s) of problem do the cows suffer?
• What are the causes?
• What are the solutions?

Once you have signed up and completed the risk assessment, the website will provide a list of possible control strategies for each of the risks identified on your farm. A separate list is made for the control strategies for each of the following problems:

• Sole ulcer
• White line disease
• Digital dermatitis
• Foul in the foot

An order of priority is suggested, with highest priority given to the actions most likely to have the greatest benefit.

After considering the suggestions, make an action plan, including the detail of how and when you intend to achieve the changes suggested
For more information regarding lameness in dairy heifers, visit our heifer lameness website at http://seis.bris.ac.uk/~lvnjb/homepage.html or the Cow Tracks site of Gelli Aur College.