Preventive hoof trimming in dairy cattle: Determining current practices and identifying future research areas

Pedersen, Sara I.L.; I. L. Pedersen, Sara; N. Huxley, Jonathan; D. Hudson, Chris; J. Green, Martin; J. Bell, Nicholas

Abstract

Background: The extent to which preventive hoof trimming is implemented on Great Britain's (GB) dairy farms is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine common practices and capture producers’ input on key areas that require further research. Methods: An online survey was conducted over a 4-week period from March to April 2017. Results: A total of 338 valid survey responses were received. The majority of farmers undertook preventive hoof trimming (82.4%), and this was significantly positively associated with increased herd yield (p<0.001). Drying off was the most common time trimming was undertaken, with 72.2% of farmers who implemented preventive trimming doing so at this point in the management cycle. Of those undertaking preventive trimming, 46.4% solely used an external hoof trimmer, 31.7% solely used farm staff and the remainder (21.9%) used a combination of operators. Four over-arching themes were identified within the key research questions; when to trim, why we should trim, how to trim and who to trim. The most frequent questions related to optimal trimming timing, frequency and method. Conclusion: This study highlighted that preventive hoof trimming is a widespread practice on GB dairy farms, undertaken by both external hoof trimmers and farm staff. Despite this, farmers still want to know when they should undertake preventive hoof trimming and which technique they should use.

Citation

Pedersen, S. I., I. L. Pedersen, S., N. Huxley, J., D. Hudson, C., J. Green, M., & J. Bell, N. (2022). Preventive hoof trimming in dairy cattle: Determining current practices and identifying future research areas. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1267

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 28, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 8, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Deposit Date: Jan 19, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2023
• Journal: Veterinary Record
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-7670
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1267
• Keywords: General Veterinary; General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7278862
• Publisher URL: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.1267
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Pedersen, SIL, Huxley, JN, Hudson, CD, Green, MJ, Bell, NJ. Preventive hoof trimming in dairy cattle: Determining current practices and identifying future research areas. Vet Rec. 2022; 00e1267., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1267. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.