VETPARTNERS is backing a plan to stamp out cases of lameness on British dairy farms over the next 20 years.
With dairy cow lameness remaining a key challenge for the industry, VetPartners is supporting a new, industry-led manifesto developed by the Dairy Cattle Mobility Steering Group.
The GB Dairy Cow Lameness Manifesto outlines 21 action points designed to significantly reduce lameness cases across the national dairy herd which is estimated to have a lameness prevalence of around 30%.
VetPartners Farm Director Ian Cure believes it is important to support the new initiative which aligns closely with work we are already doing as a group to improve lameness.
“Joining peers across the dairy industry in signing the manifesto provides a much needed, coordinated approach to tackling lameness and making head way against an issue which affects the health, welfare and sustainability, of our national herds,” he said.
“Many of the manifesto strategies align closely with what VetPartners is already doing to improve lameness through vet training and working closely with farmers to support better management practices. It was a natural step for us to show our support as a signatory.”
Ian added that VetPartners is playing another key role in delivering a key manifesto aim to evidence 10% improvement in lameness reduction.
“Encouraging every dairy herd to record whole-herd lameness prevalence is key, ensuring this data is collated and used to track progress with their nominated vet practice or suitably qualified advisor,” he said.
“It’s vital vets help farms identify their starting point and then track progress year-on-year, for example, through our DigiFarm system. With DigiFarm, our vets and farms can share success and work together to make improvements when the 10% is not being met.”
Will Gratwick, pictured right, a vet from LLM Farm Vets in Shropshire, part of VetPartners, said the group is already making progress in tackling lameness and improving evidence of reduction.
Will said: “For several years at VetPartners we have been using Project FEET (Furthering the Evidence-base on cow mobility by Engaging the whole Team) as a knowledge sharing exercise to focus on improving awareness of lameness and attitudes towards recognising and treating pain.
“This has already created stronger communication between foot trimmers, vet teams and farmers and has improved how quickly lameness is picked up and addressed on farms, using mobility scoring training as an example.
“By engaging a unified mobility team, we’re already seeing real improvements in knowledge sharing and on-farm practices. The project aligns closely with the AHDB Heathy Feet Programme – the adoption of which is another key strategy in the manifesto.”
Will is attending Dairy-Tech on February 5th where he will be supporting the National Association of Cattle Foot Trimmers (NACFT) with demonstrations in the Healthy Feet Zone.
View the manifesto here Dairy Cow Lameness Manifesto – Ruminant Health & Welfare
Read more about Project FEET: Recognising and treating pain in lame dairy cows – VetPartners