Socio-Economic Approach to Gain Insight into Dairy Cow Welfare in Foot Ailments
Prof (Dr) Md Moin Ansari
Chief Scientist
Division of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology,
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, Srinagar-190006,
Mob: + 91-9419400103 , Email: drmoin7862003@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Foot ailments are an important health problem in dairy cattle, in terms of socio-economics and animal welfare issue. Foot ailments, and the resulting lameness, have a great impact on all these aspects of animal welfare. It increases the risk of other health problems, causes much pain, and with that foot disorders impair the ability to walk and move freely, perform normal cow behavior and fulfill cow specific needs without pain. A lame animal is not only in pain, but it is an extra loss in the form of expenses that most dairy owners cannot afford. The incidence of both subclinical and clinical foot disorders is high on record. By maintaining a sound foot management routine, animal owners can reduce their economic losses and increase their chances for profit into the economic consequences. In order to achieve improvements and socioeconomics impact in dairy farming, the whole sector needs to acknowledge animal welfare as a concept that comprehend more than cow health and dairy functioning.
Introduction
Foot ailments and the resulting lameness are the most important welfare problem in modern dairy farming. Despite a considerable knowledge about foot ailments and their risk factors, no reduction in the prevalence of foot disorders and lameness has occurred (Whay et al., 2003). Besides, dairy farmers underestimate the problem of foot ailments as well as the relation with lameness (Mill and Ward, 1994; Whay et al., 2002). Despite the knowledge about foot ailments and their risk factors, up-to-date and specific information on the economic consequences and welfare impact of foot ailments and possible intervention measures is lacking. The abovementioned implies that approaches to improve dairy cow foot health lie more in socio-economics, than in more research in pathology and risk factors of the various foot ailments (Algers et al., 2009). Lameness is a significant problem for the dairy industry as it is not only an important welfare issue but can lead to reduced profits. Almost 70% of the dairy farmers and intention to take action for improving dairy cow foot health to be the achievement of better foot health with cost-effective measures. The economic consequences of foot ailments modeled were costs due to milk production losses, culling, prolonged calving interval, labor of the dairy farmer and the foot trimmer, visits of a veterinarian, treatment, and discarded milk. Despite much knowledge about foot disorders and their risk factors, a reduction in the prevalence of foot ailments and lameness has not been achieved. The economic consequences included costs due to milk production losses, premature culling, prolonged calving interval, labor of the dairy farmer, costs for the foot trimmer, visits of a veterinarian, treatment costs, and discarded milk. The costs of subclinical foot ailments make up 32% of all costs due to foot disorders. Clinical foot ailments caused 46% of the welfare impact on the socioeconomics and animal welfare issue.
The most common cases of lameness in dairy cows are linked to painful hind limb foot lesions where sole ulcer, white line disease or digital dermatitis have been demonstrated as the predominant types. Laminitis can arise from many contributing factors. However, a well-designed and properly managed feeding program can go a long way to supporting good foot health. Some foot disorders, such as digital dermatitis and interdigital phlegmon, are infectious and mainly related to the skin. Other foot ailments (e.g., sole hemorrhages and white line diseases) are caused largely by physical or metabolic disturbances and occur in the sole of the claw or are secondary in nature (e.g., sole ulcer and interdigital hyperplasia). Each of the different foot disorders has a specific effect on the welfare of the dairy cow and on the economic consequences because they differ in incidence, severity and duration. The development of a disease and its detection by dairy farmers vary among the different foot disorders: some are detected easily, whereas others are difficult to detect. For example, interdigital phlegmon is a very acute foot disorder, and practically all cases are detected easily and treated successfully. Dairy cattle can also get a condition called Papilomatous Interdigital Dermatitis, commonly known as hairy heel warts. Hairy heel warts or interdigital dermatitis is an infection that occurs mostly in dairy cows, producing inflamed, red lesions on the interdigital skin of the hoof. Hairy heel warts are thought to be caused by strains of the anaerobic bacteria Treponema. interdigital dermatitis and heel erosion develop slowly and commonly occur on both hind hoofs. It causes increasing discomfort for the cow and milk production losses to the farmer for a longer period. The losses per day are relatively low but accumulate over a longer period. However, the detection of bilateral foot disorders is less probable. These bacteria thrive in muddy, dirty, and damp conditions. When foot warts are observed, the best way to treat them is with a footbath or a topical spray containing several remedies. Antibiotics such as oxytetracycline or lincomycin are preferred by many veterinarians, although some people still choose to use formalin as a treatment for foot warts. Formalin use is highly discouraged due to the carcinogenic properties of the chemical. Some producers choose to apply a powder form of one of the antibiotics and wrap the feet of animals afflicted with heel warts, but this may be too time-consuming for large dairy operations. Cleaning the aisles and stalls of the cow barn will also help to alleviate the problems that the manure and mud can cause to the hoof, and prevent further infections of heel warts. Lameness has underlying effects on fertility and cull rates of a herd. The additional stress can have a serious impact on ovarian function and follicular development with the overall potential of poor cycling and ovulation. Reduction in feed intake starts to play a role in body condition score loss at peak times. Chronic inflammation can be associated with increased service to conception rates with lame cows nine times more likely to have an increased number of services and calving to conception interval can increase by up to 50 days. Clinical foot disorders caused 46% of the welfare impact due to foot disorders. The considerable impact of subclinical foot ailments implies that the problem is likely to have more impact than stakeholders are aware of. Intervention measures were modeled when they were applicable on a dairy farm with cubicle housing. The model outcomes indicated that improving lying surface and performing additional foot trimming were cost-effective measures. Reducing stocking density was assessed to be break even. Subclinical foot ailments were not valued as important with respect to animal welfare. Most farmers did indicate that good care for the cows is important, but that was not associated with the intention to improve dairy cow foot health. The highest costs classified by foot ailments were those due to digital dermatitis, which has a high incidence and relatively high clinical prevalence. The highest costs classified by cost factor were those due to milk production losses and culling. Sensitivity analysis showed that variables regarding milk production were important for economic costs due to foot disorders. Furthermore, the probability of getting a foot ailment and probability of cure were important for estimating the costs due to foot disorders. More insight into the economic consequences of foot ailments can make the farmer more aware of the problem.
A good hoof care program leads to lowered expenses in treatment of problems, as well as fewer losses due to decreased performance and productivity of the animal. Proper nutrition management can significantly lower the number of foot problems in a dairy herd. The micronutrients on offer are a benefit of cow heels often overlooked. Rich in zinc and magnesium, helps boost the immune system to fight illness. Phosphorus helps the body build healthy bones and teeth, while selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system. Prevent transition period acidosis by managing the intake of dry matter. Feed a well-constructed mineral and both macro and micro minerals are important for foot health. Macro minerals such as calcium in the epidermis are essential for activation of the enzyme process for the creation of horn/hoof cells. High quality sources of phosphorus and the fortification of Vitamin D will also support calcium usage and good hoof health.
References:
Algers B, Bertoni G, Broom DM, Hartung J, Lidfors L, Metz JHM, Munksgaard L, Nunes Pina T, Oltenacu T, Rehage J, Rushen J, Smulders F, Stassen EN, Stilwell G, Waiblinger S and Webster J. (2009). Scientific report of EFSA prepared by the Animal Health and Animal Welfare Unit on the effects of farming systems on dairy cow welfare and disease. Annex to the EFSA Journal. Pp.1143.
Mill JM and Ward WR. (1994). Lameness in dairy cows and farmers’ knowledge, training and awareness. The Veterinary Record. 134: 162-164.
Whay HR, Main DCJ, Green LE and Webster AJF. (2003). Assessment of the welfare of dairy cattle using animalbased measurements: direct observations and investigation of farm records. Veterinary Record. 153: 197-202.
