Foot disease in dairy herds

Abstract

Foot disease in dairy herds affects on average almost one cow in five, and represents a real economical problem in some farms where the incidence is high. This pathology is strongly associated with the herd management system i.e. with the type of cowshed (19.3 % of lameness in permanent loose housing vs 9.7 % in tied housing), with the degree of intensification (Friesian cows with high dairy yield are more susceptible to lameness) and with feeding (more cases of metabolic foot disorders are observed when the basic ration contains maize silage given ad libitum and when there are more changes of winter ration). An increase in the incidence rate of foot disease is linked to intensification of production. However, there is no cause/effect relationship. Intensification simply needs better management from the farmers. Errors in prophylactic methods such as no preventive foot trimming, not using footbaths, lack of mineral complementation, dietary excess, bad conception of cowsheds for comfort or protection against bad weather, result in a significant increase in foot disorders.