The Association between Hoof Lesions and Culling Risk in Ontario Dairy Cows

Authors

  • Gerard Cramer Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
  • Kerry Lissemore Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
  • Dave Kelton Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
  • Chuck Guard Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • Ken Leslie Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20064722

Keywords:

lameness, dairy industry, animal welfare, hoof lesions, longevity, culling

Abstract

Lameness is one of the most important issues facing the dairy industry, both in terms of production costs and consumer perception of dairy cow welfare. One way that lameness and hoof lesions reduce the productivity of dairy cattle is by decreasing longevity. Within the dairy industry, there is widespread concern about the longevity of today's dairy cow. Considering the high prevalence of lameness and hoof lesions, it is surprising that the association between hoof lesions and culling has not been widely evaluated. The objective of this project was to determine the association between infectious and non-infectious hoof lesions and culling risk in dairy cows.

Cover image of the 39th Conference Proceedings: Three calves lying down in a pasture next to a white fence. Behind them, a rainbow spans over the distant hills. Yellow background.

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Published

2006-09-21

Issue

2006

Section

Research Summaries 1

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