A link between rise in cattle lameness and wet weather.

Due to heavy rain, cattle have softer feet at housing which causes bruising on the feet because of the transition onto concrete. Furthermore, pressure can be put on the cattle’s foot health because of the increased contact with slurry and concrete compared to soft ground.
Sara Pedersen, an RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production, stated: “Although the lameness risk is heightened, housing presents the perfect opportunity to review cow management protocols, including optimising detection and treatment of lameness while cows are indoors. At housing, cows are normally moving from grass to concrete, so are suddenly spending more time standing on a harder surface, which puts extra pressure on the feet and can lead to an increased risk of bruising. Mobility scoring is important year round, but it’s worth considering how often your herd is being scored and working it into the team’s timetable, so it remains an integral part of the routine. Weekly or fortnightly is ideal, as detecting and responding to lameness early gives the best chance for successful treatment.”