Dairy farmers are being advised to adopt a sporting league style of encouragement for their teams to help control lameness as cows are housed this winter.

Phil Alcock, vet at Bishopton Vets in North Yorkshire suggests that the whole farm team should be in involved in a herd lameness plan. The more people who are trained and encouraged to identify lameness, the more prompt and effective treatment can be.

“To help encourage a culture of early detection, I work with some farmers who have introduced ‘lameness league tables’, to record the number of lame cases that each person identifies and treats. Prizes and banter go hand in hand with this and it encourages engagement and an integrated approach to lameness prevention, and a bit of healthy competition always helps.”

Although not always the case, lameness prevalence at pasture is often lower than during the housing period.

Mr Alcock said: “However, it’s important to remember that digital dermatitis infections stay dormant in healed lesions of the foot all-year-around, so before cows come in for the winter, it’s the perfect opportunity to get op top of any underlining issues.

“Ensuring cows are walking through foot baths on a daily basis in the lead up to housing will purge any current digital dermatitis issues.

“Having one or two members of the team who are responsible for filling and cleaning the foot bath, checking that the right chemical is used at the right rate is important as is finding a way of footbathing that guarantees this will remain in the routine."

The spread of infection can rapidly increase once the cows are housed in close proximity. Starting teh housing period with the lowest possible prevalence of active digital dermatitis can significantly effect the amount of disease experienced through the winter months.

Hygiene within the housing is also key.

“Many other lameness issues such as claw horn lesions (CHL) can be complicated or enhanced by the presence of digital dermatitis. And, the hot weather we saw this June may influence the number of CHL farmers find in the beginning of the autumn this year,” said Mr Alcock.

“Cows were standing for longer periods due to some of the hot spells, which can lead to sole bruises and changes within the foot, this can affect horn growth and result in inflammation of the foot with subsequent problems such as sole ulceration and white line disease. Therefore, reviewing cow comfort and any changes that could be made to enhance it in order to minimising standing times when housed should be a top priority, as should ensuring early detection and prompt effective treatment is given."

In cases of CHL Mr Alcock recommends an individual inspection of each lame cow that consists of picking up each hoof, trimming and applying a block and a non-steroidal anti- inflammatory ketoprofen.