Lameness
There are several used to assess lameness. Here, we provide 2 scoring systems that are commonly used in the dairy industry. You can choose a system that fits your interests and test your repeatability using the associated scoring system.
Dairy Well: locomotion scoring
Which animals to assess:
- Score pen of the highest milk producing, oldest cows, or whichever pen represents the bulk of these cows
- The number of lactating cows assessed is determined by the sample size calculator
- Score all cows in sick/hospital pens to ensure severely lame cows are receiving treatment and have not become emaciated.
When to assess:
- Score lactating cows as they exit the parlor
- Cows kept in tie stall barns will be scored standing in the stalls based on severely lame cow thresholds alone
- If cows in tie-stalls are released daily, locomotion will be scored after milking when cows are released
- Score animals in designated lame cow, chronic pen or hospital pens
Goal:
≤1% should be scored as "severely lame" (score 3).
- Severely lame cows should be kept separate from the lactating group and be receiving treatment
≤15% of the lactating cows should be scored as "moderately lame" (score 2)
- Walks without obvious gait asymmetry or weight transfer between limbs
- Cannot discern which leg is lame after a few strides
- Steps may be slightly uneven
- May have a flat or subtle arch to the back
- Asymmetric gait with obvious weight transfer and shortening of the stride of the affected limb altering cadence of movement
- May also show a head bob, back arch and joint stiffness leading to abduction of the limb
- Able to walk only with extreme difficulty, almost unable to bear weight on the affected limb
- May not keep up with normal cows in the herd
- May have a pronounced back arch with rear limb lameness
National Dairy FARM Program: locomotion scoring
Which animals to assess:
- Lactating cows
- Dry cows
The number of animals assessed is determined by the sample size calculator using the total number of animals on the farm.
Goal:
95% or more of the animals scored should score a 2 or less.
- Sound
- Has normal gait and posture
- Moderately lame
- Stands well but notably favors a limb when walking
- Severely lame
- An animal either unable to move, or able to move, but barely able to bear weight on the affected limb
- Signs may also include back arch, poor body condition, head bob and an inability to flex the lower leg joints