WET conditions have increased the rates of lameness in southwest Victorian dairy herds.
Camperdown veterinarian John Penry said he had been kept busy dealing with cows' tender feet.
- DPI LAMENESS FIELD DAY
- WHERE: Sally and Neville Hallyburton's property at 529 Gribbles Rd, Jancourt East
- WHEN: September 1 from 10.30am until 1.30pm
- WHO: Gippsland vet and foot disease expert Jakob Malmo and DPI scientist Ellen Jongmon
- CONTACT: Janet Sloan on (03) 5561 9906
"Compared to the past 10 years when we were probably averaging half of that ... we've (now) doubled our lame cow rate."
Dr Penry said changes in track conditions and surfaces near paddocks and gateways had increased the rate of lameness in dairy herds.
While many farmers have been using orthopaedic shoes - blocks and cowslips - designed to raise the cow's affected claw off the ground, Dr Penry said there was a "raft" of small on-farm tips to help prevent lameness.
"The way cows walk along they are looking where their feet are going," he said.
"Anything you do to rush the cows can interfere with that."
He also suggested keeping lame cows in a paddock close to the dairy and using wood chips on tracks in problem areas.
Rubber mats in the dairy have also been popular.
Farmers with stock battling lameness issues have been invited to attend a special field day hosted by the Department of Primary Industries at Jancourt East tomorrow.
Among the speakers will be Gippsland vet and foot disease expert Jakob Malmo who will speak about the common causes of cow lameness and treatment, while DPI scientist Ellen Jongmon will discuss cow-handling techniques to reduce the likelihood of lameness.
Locomotion, or forward-movement scoring, will also be discussed and Corangamite Shire road construction specialists will be on hand to provide advice for track maintenance.
The field day will be held at Sally and Neville Hallyburton's property at 529 Gribbles Rd, Jancourt East and runs from 10.30am until 1.30pm.
For more information, phone Janet Sloan on (03) 5561 9906.
