The Effect of Season, Walking Surface and Sire Identification on Thin Soles in Dairy Cattle

Authors

  • S. R. van Amstel University of Tennessee
  • J. K. Shearer University of Florida
  • F. L. Palin University of Tennessee
  • G. W. Rogers University of Tennessee
  • J. B. Cooper University of Tennessee
  • C. C. Cooper University of Tennessee

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20074621

Keywords:

confinement dairies, sole horn wear, Thin soles, cow comfort, claw horn moisture, heat stress, overtrimming

Abstract

Thin soles have become a major economic problem in large total confinement dairies in the United States. The cause appears to be multifactorial and relates to factors that result in an increase in sole horn wear. Factors such as the distance cows have to walk on concrete to be milked, poor cow comfort, claw horn moisture content and horn quality, heat stress and overtrimming have been implicated. The purpose of this study was to: a) investigate the incidence of thin soles over a period of 12 months from two herds in relation to month of year b) determine the incidence of thin soles in first lactation cows in Herd 1 for the 9 months prior and 9 months following installation of rubber on walk ways and c) determine any sire effect on thin soles for first lactation cows in Herd 1.

Downloads

Published

2007-09-20

Issue

Section

Research Summaries 4

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2