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Association between milk yield and serial locomotion score assessments in UK dairy cows

Archer, Simon C.; Green, Martin J.; Huxley, Jonathan

Authors

Simon C. Archer

MARTIN GREEN martin.green@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Cattle Health & Epidemiology

Jonathan Huxley



Abstract

This study investigated the effect of lameness, measured by serial locomotion scoring over a 12-mo period, on the milk yield of UK dairy cows. The data set consisted of 11,735 records of test-day yield and locomotion scores collected monthly from 1,400 cows kept on 7 farms. The data were analyzed in a multilevel linear regression model to account for the correlation of repeated measures of milk yield within cow. Factors affecting milk yield included farm of origin, stage of lactation, parity, season, and whether cows were ever lame or ever severely lame during the study period. Cows that had been severely lame 4, 6, and 8 mo previously gave 0.51 kg/d, 0.66 kg/d, and 1.55 kg/d less milk, respectively. A severe case of lameness in the first month of lactation reduced 305-d milk yield by 350 kg; this loss may be avoidable by prompt, effective treatment. Larger reductions can be expected when cases persist or recur. Evidence-based control plans are needed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of lameness in high yielding cows to improve welfare and productivity.

Citation

Archer, S. C., Green, M. J., & Huxley, J. (2010). Association between milk yield and serial locomotion score assessments in UK dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(9), https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3062

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 1, 2010
Deposit Date Apr 25, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Dairy Science
Print ISSN 0022-0302
Electronic ISSN 0022-0302
Publisher American Dairy Science Association
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 93
Issue 9
DOI https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3062
Keywords locomotion score; lameness; milk yield; dairy cow
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1011719
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3062
Additional Information © American Dairy Science Association

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