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Claw length recommendations for dairy cow foot trimming

Archer, Simon C.; Newsome, Reuben; Dibble, Harry; Sturrock, Craig; Chagunda, M.G.G.; Mason, C.S.; Huxley, Jonathan

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Authors

Simon C. Archer

Reuben Newsome

Harry Dibble

M.G.G. Chagunda

C.S. Mason

Jonathan Huxley



Abstract

The aim was to describe variation in length of the dorsal hoof wall in contact with the dermis for cows on a single farm, and hence, derive minimum appropriate claw lengths for routine foot trimming. The hind feet of 68 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were collected post mortem, and the internal structures were visualised using x-ray mCT. The internal distance from the proximal limit of the wall horn to the distal tip of the dermis was measured from crosssectional sagittal images. A constant was added to allow for a minimum sole thickness of 5 mm and an average wall thickness of 8 mm. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and two-level linear regression models with claw nested within cow. Based on 219 claws, the recommended dorsal wall length from the proximal limit of hoof horn was up to 90 mm for 96 per cent of claws, and the median value was 83 mm. Dorsal wall length increased by 1 mm per year of age, yet 85 per cent of the null model variance remained unexplained. Overtrimming can have severe consequences; the authors propose that the minimum recommended claw length stated in training materials for all Holstein-Friesian cows should be increased to 90 mm.

Citation

Archer, S. C., Newsome, R., Dibble, H., Sturrock, C., Chagunda, M., Mason, C., & Huxley, J. (2015). Claw length recommendations for dairy cow foot trimming. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103197

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jul 28, 2015
Deposit Date Aug 5, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Veterinary Record
Print ISSN 0042-4900
Electronic ISSN 0042-4900
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103197
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/756195
Publisher URL http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/early/2015/07/28/vr.103197

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