THE COST OF LAMENESS 1 The Cost of Lameness Lameness is the third most important problem on many modern dairy

farms after mastitis and reproductive failure. The considerable economic losses are attributed to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Decreased milk production Lowered fertility Increased culling Cost of treatment

The incidence of lameness has steadily increased over the past 20 years, and on some farms over half of the animals become lame at least once each year. The two most troublesome causes of lameness are diseases associated with subclinical laminitis and digital dermatitis.1 Economic loss arises primarily from the consequences of the disease and not the cost of treatment. Digital dermatitis and foot rot accounted for significant losses at $128/case. Lower milk yields, reduced reproductive performance, higher involuntary culling rates, discarded milk, and the additional management effort required to care for lame cows accounted for the majority of economic loss.2 The average case of lameness is estimated to cost in the region of $239. Various studies show that the incidence of lameness is extremely varied between farms but averages around 55 cases per 100 cows per year, with a prevalence at 22%. This means that at any one time 22% of the cows are lame. The average incidence equates to a financial loss of around $19,750/yr. for the average 150-cow herd. In herds where digital dermatitis is a problem the cost alone is around $40 per cow in the herd, or $5985 for a 150-cow herd.3 Guard reports similar rates of economic loss based on clinical observation and records of lameness in New York dairy herds. Based on an incidence rate of 30-cases/100 cows/year, a fatality rate of 2%, an increase in days open of 28 days, and costs for treatment and additional labor of $23/case, he estimated a cost of $9000/100 cows/year. Cost per clinical case in Guard's example is $300/lame cow, or $90/cow in the herd. Clearly, these figures indicate that lameness is one of the most costly health problems affecting dairy cattle.4

THE COST OF LAMENESS 2 Recent survey data from California cited the following as risk factors for digital dermatitis: 1) Large herds, 2) Herds with predominately Holsteins 3) Herds with corral housing in winter (muddy conditions prevalent) 4) Herds using footbaths. Others have theorized that wet muddy conditions favored the propagation of this disease in herds, however until this survey there was little to substantiate this view. Its of more than just casual interest that footbaths were recognized as a significant risk factor. The footbaths are particularly difficult as well as costly to manage properly in large herds.5 The impact of lameness on a dairys bottom line can be very significant! Despite the fact that the cost of treating lame cows may at times appear to be the biggest economic cost of lameness, it is often quite negligible in the overall scheme of things. Lameness is associated with a decrease in milk production and impaired reproductive performance, and can increase the probability of a cow being culled. Estimates are that a case of lameness is associated with $300- $400 in costs and lost revenue. The loss of milk production associated with subclinical lameness has also been documented (see Locomotion scoring below). Lameness is also an animal welfare issue that must be addressed by the industry. Many times, herd owners and herd managers are so accustomed to seeing cows with abnormal gaits that they do not fully appreciate the level of lameness that really exists in their herds. Until recently however there has not been a systematic method to measure and record lameness events and foot health status on dairy farms. Fortunately, there are now some tools available, which can help veterinarians, and producers define, record, and monitor these important parameters.6 Economically, the results of foot disease are much greater than the treatment costs. Reduced milk yields, lower reproductive performance, increased involuntary cull rates, discarded milk, and the additional labor costs to manage these cows accounts for the largest monetary loses. Studies in New York have shown why lameness is one of the most expensive health problems, at a cost of $90 per cow. Cows with foot problems commonly may be the same cows being treated for mastitis, reproduction and other health problems at later dates.

THE COST OF LAMENESS 3 Keeping records on these cows and culling persistent problem cows may be advantageous.7 What does lameness cost a dairy farmer? What does lameness in cattle cost the individual dairy farmer, and the Australian Dairy Industry as a whole? (1 Australian dollar = 1.02 US dollar) Lame cows are less willing to walk, and prefer to lie down. Time spent grazing or competing for food is reduced. Food intake declines, and with it, milk production and body weight. Reduced food intake results in a negative energy balance may interfere with breeding performance by reducing conception rates, by delaying the onset of first heat after calving, and by reducing the visible signs of heat. Poorer fertility increases the risk of cows being culled because they are empty. Culling for infertility incurs costs in terms of the herd's subsequent production, and lowers genetic gain. Animals culled because of the lameness itself have a much-reduced market value because of the loss of bodyweight. The key factors that contribute to the cost of a single case are: Loss of milk production Lowered fertility Increased risk of culling Treatment costs In order to determine costs, each factor is calculated individually: Add up the costs Lowered milk production = $ 40 - $75 Lowered fertility (11% of $800 -$1500) = $ 88 - $165 Increased risk of culling (2.5% of $1500) = $ 37 Treatment costs = $ 35 Total = $200 - $312 Thus a single case of lameness costs approximately $200 to $300. Individual farmers can calculate their average annual cost of lameness by multiplying the estimated cost of a single cost of lameness (calculated above at $200 to $300) by the number of cases of lameness in their herd each year.

THE COST OF LAMENESS 4 Using this data and other estimates, lameness is thought to cost the Australian dairy industry over $30 to $45 million dollars per annum.8 The real cost of lameness is when you have to accelerate culling. The longer you extend the productive life of the cow; you will drive down the cost of owning that cow. If a dairy producer holds a cow for only one lactation vs. seven lactations, he loses about $1,200. If the cows stay through two lactations, the loss drops to $400. If you extend that to three lactations instead of the five or six that most producers shoot for, the dairy producer is losing $200 per head. From an economic standpoint, it is easy to see why lameness is such a critical issue.9
Several gait scoring systems have been developed based on visual observation of how cows walk.10 The typical system uses a 5-point scale where 1 represents a sound cow and 5 represents a severely lame cow. Behavioral signs of lameness include: back arch, jerky head bob, short strides, stiff joints, uneven steps, and reluctance to bear weight on one foot (limping). To gait score, observe cows walking in a straight line on a flat, even surface, from the side.11 Gait score 1: Sound walks with a smooth and fluid locomotion with flat back and even steps. Gait score 2: Imperfect locomotion walks with a slightly uneven gait and slight joint stiffness but is not lame. Gait score 3: Mildly lame walks with shortened strides, an arched back and a slight limp. Gait score 4: Moderately lame walks with an obvious limp, a severely arched back and a slight head bob. Gait score 5: Severely lame unable to bear weight on at least one limb and/or must be vigorously encouraged to stand or move; extremely arched back when standing and walking.10

Although we cannot eliminate lameness, there is good evidence that it can be greatly reduced on all farms a farm moving from an average incidence of lameness to the top 10% will save at least the equivalent of $1.33/litre. In addition once a cow becomes lame in one lactation she is more likely to have a lameness problem in the future.11

THE COST OF LAMENESS 5 Bibliography 1. The Merck Vet Manual 2. Lameness in Dairy Cattle J.K. Shearer DVM, MS., Dairy Extension Veterinarian University of Florida S. Van Amstel DVM, MS. Associate Professor University of Tennessee 3. Defra Health and Welfare of the UK 4. Lameness in Dairy Cattle, et al. 5. Lameness in Dairy Cattle, et al. 6. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Ernest Hovingh, DVM, Ph.D. 7. Utah State University Authors Gerald Stokka, Extension Specialist, Beef Veterinarian John F. Smith Extension Specialist, Dairy James R. Dunham Extension Specialist, Dairy Science Travis Van Anne K-State Veterinary Medicine Student Research & Extension 8. DairyInfo.biz newsletter

9. Bruce Jones, PhD., is an agricultural economist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an extension economist and the former director of the Center for Dairy Profitability.

10. Zinpro Locomotion Scoring

11. Defra Health and Welfare et al.

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