Cow lameness is not only a welfare issue, but also a financial issue leading to reduced milk yields poor fertility and thus lost income.  It is important to identify signs early so that it can be treated.  Increasingly milk buyers are taking more of an interest in this area with a number of buyers requiring cows to be regularly mobility scored.

The ten signs of lameness include:

1. Uneven weight bearing (dew claws do not drop to ground on one limb as much as the opposite limb) or uneven rhythm of strides (limp)
2. Not tracking up (so hind feet fails to fall in the place left by the fore foot)
3. Short strides (“walking on tip-toes” or “walking on egg shells”)
4. Arched back (arch increasing as the cow moves from standing position)
Head nod (indicating fore foot lameness, with the head lifted slightly as the painful limb bears weight)
5. Lowered head carriage
6. Abnormal foot placement (wide or narrow of normal, toe or heel first)
7. Leg swing wide or narrow of normal
8. Unsymmetrical body posture
9. Reduced walking speed or reluctance to move (a severe sign)

The AHDB Dairy have some useful information on this subject on their website including a DVD on how to mobility score.  Just go to their website and search mobility scoring.

For more details on how to mobility score contact Phil at pcooper@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office.