Evaluate Environment (page 7-8)

Goal: Identify risk areas that may be contributing to a lameness problem. Data Collection Steps: 1. Hoof Trimming table: identify lesions and assess hoof trimming 2. Milking Parlor exit alley assess footbath management and holding area 3. Pens assess environment and stocking density 4. Feeding systems assess ration and feedbunk management Rationale for this lameness investigation tool can be found at: http://extension.wsu.edu/vetextension/lameness/documen ts/lamenessrationaletemplate_march2012.pdf Process: Locomotion scoring (page 2) Lameness above farm goal Identify and quantify lesions and assess hoof trimming (page 3) Are most lesions infectious? Okay Evaluate Footbath & Treatment (page 6) Needs Attention Lameness level okay Evaluate Environment (page 7-8) Plan mitigation strategy Okay Needs Attention Herd signs consistent with Subacute Ruminal Acidosis? Plan mitigation strategy Investigate other factors: genetics, trace minerals, biosecurity, low body condition of transition cows Evaluate Feeding Systems (page 9) 1

Locomotion score check box or enter cow ID for each cow scored If <100 head, score ALL cows; if 100 head, find suggested sample size based on herd size at: http://extension.wsu.edu/vetextension/lameness/pages/default.aspx 1 2 3 4 5 Locomotion Scores: Score 1 Walks and stands with a level back. Gait is normal. Score 2 Stands with a level back but develops an arched back when walking. Gait is normal. Score 3 Moderately lame. Walks and stands with an arched back. Shortstrides when walking. Score 4 Lame. Walks and stands with an arched back. Favors a limb. Score 5 Severely lame. Does not bear weight on a limb. Calculate herd lameness prevalence: Total: Total: Total: Total: Total: Total 1&2 : Total 3&4&5: Total cows scored: For more information on locomotion scoring and herd prevalence, please see Investigation Rationale, page 2-3 and Locomotion Scoring Guide 2

Hoof Lesions record cow ID for each lesion noted Evaluate at least 15 cows at one trimming session, but more is better n-infectious lesions Infectious lesions Hemorrhage Ulcer Abscess White Line Disease Heel Wart Footrot Other (write in) Hock lesions score at least 15 cows, check a box for each cow scored Score 1 Both hocks rmal One or both hocks have: Score 2: Bald area, no swelling Score 3: swelling or lesions through the hide Total non-infectious lesions: Total infectious lesions: Total: Total: Total: %: %: %: Percent of total lesions: Percent of total lesions: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/pdf/hockscore.pdf 3

Hoof Trimming - Question or observation: How many times per lactation is each cow trimmed? Check or circle your findings: Goal/ more information Risk area Good 1 or less 2 (and as needed) For more information please see Investigation Rationale, page 4 Cows should be trimmed around dry-off time and around 70 150 Days in Milk and as needed. Confirm: How many trims per year/lactation? How many trimmer visits? Trims per visit? Less than goal Meets goal Calculate expected number of trims and visits: (Number of cows x 2trims/lactation) + (#lame/year) = goal number of total trims per year How are lame cows identified? Are foot lesions identified accurately? Are foot lesions being treated appropriately, without excessive damage to underlying healthy tissue? Are lesions recorded consistently and accurately and does this information become part of the cow s record? one designated training Person(s) designated Training provided Early detection is important for treating lameness. There should be a practical protocol for prompt identification and assessment of lame cows. For example: A dedicated person or persons should be watching for lame cows daily and report cow numbers to the herd manager for decisions on treatment. Use Hoof Lesion Identification Sheet. Correlate trimmer s definition with actual diagnosis from the hoof lesion sheet. Heel warts should be treated with topical disinfectant or antibiotic; abscesses should be drained and a block applied to the opposite claw, foot rot should be treated with systemic antibiotics consistent with drug label or veterinary direction. Lame cows with a poor prognosis should be promptly identified and culled. Hoof lesion records should include the type of lesion, especially to distinguish if it is infectious (heel wart or footrot) vs. a claw horn lesion. Record limb affected and severity. ABC hoof lesion recording system WSU Herd Records project disease definitions 4

Hoof Trimming - Measure/Observe: Length toe is trimmed to: measure dorsal surface from coronary band to toe (Figure 1, A) Risk area Check or circle your findings: Good/Goal For more information, please see Investigation Rationale, page 4 < 3 or > 3 3 Does the sole give under thumb pressure after trimming? yes no Lay a flat object 1. Across the medial and lateral claws at the toe 2. Across the medial and lateral claws at the heel 3. Along the abaxial wall from toe to heel Is there space between the object and the hoof at any points? yes surfaces should be flat. The goal of a maintenance trim is to obtain equal weight bearing between the medial and lateral claws and along the bottom surfaces of each. Measure toe angle (Figure 1, B) < or > goal Holsteins: 45-50 Jerseys: 43 Is the axial hoof wall of the cranial third of the toe being removed, exposing the white line? Is the abaxial hoof wall being removed, exposing the white line? (e.g. excessive rounding of the claw) Heel balance is the height of the heels from coronary band to bottom equal on both sides (when foot is viewed from behind, is heel height equal?) Figure 1. Hoof Measurements yes yes no. Excessive removal of the axial hoof wall at the toe compromises the white line.. Excessive removal of the abaxial hoof wall compromises the white line.. This is important for maintaining equal weight bearing between medial and lateral claws. B A 5

Milking parlor exit Footbath and holding area: Question/Measurement: Footbath length(write in): Footbath width(write in): Depth Footbath is filled to(write in): Footbath step in height(write in): Which and how much chemical is used in the footbath? (write in): amount of chemical amount of water Use Footbath Concentration Calculator with above length, width and depth Is a pre-bath used? How often is the footbath changed? How often is the footbath used?(write in): Is there accumulated manure or standing water in holding areas and/or alleys such that feet are submerged past the coronary band? Risk area <10 Alley width greater than footbath width Check or circle your findings: Good/Goal For more information, please see Investigation Rationale, pages 4-5 10-12 Over 90% of cows immerse hind feet twice when footbath is at least 10 long, see Footbath Design Article Alley width = footbath width (so cows cannot step around footbath) <5 5 or greater <5 5-10 - 10 step in height has better retention of chemical and cows tolerate it well Concentration inadequate Concentration adequate - Pre-baths are ineffective at reducing footbath soiling and may dilute the chemical. Please see Footbath Design Article >200 cows After every 200 or fewer cows <1 time per week At least 1 time per week, more as needed Leg hygiene scoring could be used to assess prevalence of dirty cows. http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/4hygiene/hygiene.pdf 6

Freestall Dimension Worksheet Recommended freestall dimensions (inches) for various sized dairy heifers and cows. Adapted from rdlund and Cook (2003) Body weight (lb) 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Stall width 29 33 36 40 44 47 51 54 Line B: Body resting length 43 48 52 57 61 66 70 75 Total stall length 57 65 73 81 90 98 106 114 Line C: Neck rail height 32 35 37 40 43 45 48 51 Line A: Neck rail location 43 48 52 57 61 66 70 75 Brisket board height Less than 4-6 inches above stall surface Lower divider rail height If lunge space (total stall length) is too short, lower divider rail should be less than 11 OR greater than 32 above stall surface to allow the cow to lunge over or under lower divider rail. Line D: Rear curb height Measure Freestalls: Measurement (inches): Pen: Far dry Close dry Stall width Line B: Body resting length Total stall length Line C: Neck rail height Line A: Neck rail location Brisket board height Lower divider rail height Line D: Rear curb height 6 (European curb height recommendation) 8-10 (common U.S. curb height) Fresh pen D 7

Milking and dry pens: Environment Assessment Question/observation: For more information, please see Investigation Rationale, page 5-6 Stall dimensions (see freestall dimension worksheet page 7, compare findings to recommended dimensions) Bedding surface moisture in stalls? Assess % soiled stalls Bedding depth Stocking density, cows per headlock or inch of bunk space Stall stocking density: #cows/#useable stalls If Summer: evaluate cooling by observing respiration rates and use of fans/ sprinklers Environmental hazards causing traumatic hoof wear or upper leg injury Observe cows moving through high traffic areas and corners How many hours do cows spend away from pen for milking? (#of milkings/day ) Comment on amount of accumulated manure. How often are barns or lots scraped /flushed/harrowed? write in: Paths from pens to milking parlor and to pastures, if applicable Check or circle your findings: Risk area Too small Interference with lunge space Brisket board too high Rear curb too high Greater than 50% Wet or moist stalls >2 below curb Bedding surface concave >1:1 cows:headlock <30 /cow in close-up & fresh pens <24 / cow in other pens Good Adequate for cow size Dry Near even with curb Bedding surface nearly flat (not concave) <1:1 cows:headlock 30 /cow in close-up & fresh >24 /cow in other pens > 1 cow per stall 1 cow per stall Respiration rates >70 breaths per minute (indicative of heat stress) or inadequate fans/sprinklers Slippery floors Excessive floor grooving, roughness Sharp, blind corners Rushed cow pushing Stall design issues (shallow bedding, aggressive brisket boards, short stalls) Respiration rates <70 breaths per minute Fans/sprinklers provide adequate cooling Few to no cows slipping Floors not excessively rough Sharp, blind corners Cows not rushed Stall design adequate for cow size >3 <3 Time budget calculator, miner institute Greater than 2 inches accumulated manure between manure removal times (manure up to coronary band) Excessively rough or rocky surfaces Little to no manure accumulation Good traction t excessively rough 8

Feeding Systems Assessment - subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can lead to laminitis. For more information, please see Investigation Rationale, page 5-6 Question/observation: Check or circle your findings: Penn State particle separator Assess formulated (paper) ration and TMR sample Bunk management Risk area <7% in the top box (inadequate physical fiber) >15% in top box (suspect sorting) If 4 box separator: >20% in bottom box If 3 box separator: >50% in bottom box NDF below 25-28% NDF from forage below 19% Starch above 24-28% Bunk space <30 in transition pens Bunkspace <24 in other pens Feed bunk empty at any time For more detailed information on investigating Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in the dairy herd, please see: rdlund, 2003 See: Factors contributing to ruminal acidosis Good >7% in top box <15% in top box If 4 box separator: <20% in bottom box If 3 box separator: <50% in bottom box Penn state guide to ev4aluating particle size NDF > 25-28% NDF from forage > 18% Starch < 24-28% Bunk space 30 or more in transition pens Bunkspace 24 or more in other pens Feed always available Penn State Shaker Box Worksheet Ration/Pen# Weight Percent Ration/Pen# Weight Percent Top Top Bottom Bottom Total 100% Total 100% Ration/Pen# Weight Percent Ration/Pen# Weight Percent Top Top Bottom Bottom Total 100% Total 100% Ration Analysis Worksheet Ration: Ration: Ration: Formulated (Paper) TMR Sample Formulated (Paper) TMR Sample Formulated (Paper) Dry Matter NDF Forage NDF ADF Starch Crude Protein TMR Sample 9

What were the key risk areas found? Summary, Assessment and Plan For more information, please see Investigation Rationale, page 7 What are possible interventions that could improve this risk area to prevent resulting lameness? Who will be responsible for making sure the intervention is accomplished? When will it be accomplished? How will results be monitored: 10