Neck and Other Injuries

Dairy Well: neck and other injury scoring

Which animals to assess:
  • Lactating cows
  • Dry cows
  • Heifers
  • Calves on milk
  • Hospital

The number of animals assessed in each group is determined by the sample size calculator.

When to assess:
  • Score injuries while cows are being milked
  • If evaluating the highest producing, multiparous cows (same that were scored for lameness), score after milking while in lock-ups or tie stalls
How to assess:

Examine the sides, back, legs and necks of cattle, scoring the worst lesion on each animal. Broken tails are tracked separately.

Goal:

<2% of cows should have severe neck injuries or severe injuries on any other part of their body (score 3)

Score 1 - Normal

  • Minimal complete hair loss
    • < 1" in length or width
    • < 25 mm
    • < size of a quarter
  • No swelling

Score 2 - Moderate

  • Complete hair loss > 25mm (1") in length or width
    • Approximately the size of a quarter
  • No open wounds/abrasions (ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab)
  • OR: Swelling ≤ 25mm (1") in length, width, or height

Score 3 - Severe

  • Wounds or abrasions as evidenced by any ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab; can be superficial, partial, or full thicknes
  • OR: Swelling > 25mm (1") in length, width, or height

Take Repeatability Test

National Dairy Farm Program: neck and other injury scoring

The FARM Program currently does not require a benchmark for body abrasions, but recommends that producers maintain vigilance and monitor cows for body injuries.