mobility

Mobility Scoring

Lameness in dairy herds is recognised as a major determinant of the welfare of the dairy cow. In general, consumers perceive high animal welfare standards as an indicator that food is safe, healthy and of high quality. There is no dispute that foot and leg health is a concern in dairy farming.  This is why action is being taken in cattle building design, in breeding, and in husbandry practices routinely carried out on-farm.

In the breeding industry, parallel changes are taking place. 
 
Through the Sustainable Dairy Project, a method of evaluating and reducing lameness has been developed, with the aim of providing solutions to the whole of the Sustainable Dairy Group.  Many of you should have now received your 2 hours practical training on Mobility scoring.  If you haven't, please contact your processor , who can arrange for you to be put on one of the final sessions. 
 
Part of the workshop is a practical demonstration where members are able to put the theory they've learnt into practice. TSDG Committee Member, Stuart Verity, who attended one of the meetings, said he found it useful: “It was an informative and interesting day. I found the practical demonstration particularly useful and the skills that I have learnt will come in handy on farm for mobility scoring in the future.”
 
Matthew Dobbs, senior partner at Westpoint Veterinary Practice, said that mobility scoring, as a management tool to assist farmers in identifying and prioritising cows for treatment, is a key aspect of managing a herds health.  “Mobility scoring identifies cows in the herd that require additional care and helps producers identify whether the management of their herd is effective at reducing the level and effect of lame cows. “These management measures include foot trimming schedules and foot bathing protocols in addition to looking at the comfort of cow housing on farm and the management of calving cows within the herd,” added Matt.
 
Producers are reminded that as part of the Tesco contract they will be required to score their herd every two months and record the details to produce an improvement plan as part of their veterinary plan. It is also a requirement to arrange for an independent consultant to visit the farm and score the herd on an annual basis.

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