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Jan Hultgren - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Lameness and Udder Health in Swedish Dairy Herds, as Influenced by Housing Changes
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 2003Co-Authors: Jan HultgrenAbstract:Traditionally, Tie-Stalls have been the predominant housing system for dairy cattle in northern Europe. In Sweden, Tie-Stalls are either long-Stalls (approx. 2.20 m) or short-Stalls (approx. 1.70 m). In long-Stalls the cows are normally closed out from the feeding table when the herdsman is not in the barn, while in short-Stalls they have always access to the feeding table. Loose housing has been recommended and increases with new faciliTies. Presently, one fourth of the Swedish dairy cows are loose-housed. Very few observational studies of possible animal health effects of a transition from one housing system to another have been performed. The aim of the present study was to assess effects of changes in housing system on the occurrence of veterinary-treated foot and leg disorders, clinical mastitis, teat injuries and of high milk somatic cell counts (MSCCs). The objective was to improve the basis for farmers' decisions in connection with structural changes in milk production. Monthly herd disease incidence rates or prevalences in 194 Swedish commercial dairy herds from 1988 to 1995 were collected retrospectively from the official milk recording scheme and merged with county administrative and farmers' data on housing and management. The studied herds constituted approximately one third of all dairy faciliTies approved for rebuilding in the selected counTies during the same time period. The most common changes of housing systems were going from long-Stalls to short-Stalls (61 herds), remaining in short-Stalls (41 herds) and going from short-Stalls to cubicles (33 herds). Predominant breeds were the Swedish Red and White (SRB) and the Swedish Holstein breed (SLB). Mean herd size was 34.6 cows for long-Stalls, 39.2 for short-Stalls, 62.7 for cubicles and 55.8 for straw yards. The records were either from 1 to 45 months before building start (mean 10.7 months) or from 0 to 59 months after building finish (mean 11.4 months). All data from the actual building period were discarded. Four Poisson regression models were applied to the data (5982 to 7026 herd-month records), using the GEE method and the GENMOD procedure in SAS. Monthly observations were treated as repeated measures within herds (autoregressive correlation structure). There were significant transitory increases in the incidence of clinical foot/leg disorders when changing from Tie-Stalls to cubicles (RR=3.2-4.7) and decreases in the incidences of clinical mastitis (RR=0.20-0.77) and teat injuries (RR=0.13-0.60) when changing from Tie-Stalls to loose housing. Effects on foot/leg health generally lasted for less than 18 months after building finish, while udder health improvements persisted beyond 18 months. Reductions in the incidence of clinical mastitis were not accompanied by any clear changes in the prevalence of high MSCCs. Later than 18 months after rebuilding, herds that shifted from long-Stalls to short-Stalls had less foot and leg lesions than those remaining in long-Stalls. It is concluded that a change in dairy cow housing from Tie-Stalls to loose housing deteriorates foot/leg health temporarily and improves udder health. 236 Abstracts – Oral presentations at 11th ICPD
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A Rubber Slat System for Tied Dairy Cows: Animal Cleanliness, Foot Health and Behaviour
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 2003Co-Authors: Jan Hultgren, Christer BergstenAbstract:Although cubicle systems are increasing in Swedish dairies, still approximately 80% of the cows are kept in Tie-Stalls when housed. Tie-Stalls are either long-Stalls (2.20 m) or short-Stalls (1.70 m). In long-Stalls the cows are normally closed out from the feeding table when the herdsman is not in the barn, while in short-Stalls they have always access to the feeding table. With less time spent per animal, higher production and larger volumes of manure, cleanliness and related foot lesions are major problems in Tie-Stalls. Electric cow-trainers and concrete slatted floors are banned by the animal welfare regulations and new systems are needed to improve stall hygiene. A new rubber slat system for Tied dairy cows, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, was compared with a solid flooring in a two-year controlled trial in a Swedish experimental herd. Effects on animal cleanliness, foot health and behaviour were of special concern. Swedish Red and White cows were kept Tied in 42 traditional long-Stalls with rubber mats. In 21 Stalls, the rearmost 0.74 m of the solid stall floor had been replaced with nine rubber-coated 53 mm wide slats, divided by 29-mm slots. Cleanliness was assessed weekly (year 1) or bi-weekly (year 2) by observations of the hind part of the body. Claw measurements and foot health in hind feet were assessed in connection with claw trimmings at the beginning, middle and end of the housing period. Behaviour was studied during 48 hours in 12 matched cowpairs using video technique. The risk of getting dirty on the rubber slatted floor was significantly lower (odds ratio 0.12 for hind feet when short stall dividers were used, 0.39 for hind legs and 0.38 for thighs and udder), as compared with the solid stall floor. The prevalence of foot diseases in hind feet at trimming was significantly lower on the rubber slats (odds ratio 0.23 for dermatitis, 0.09 for heel horn erosion, and 0.34 for sole lesions). No adverse effects on animal behaviour (rising and lying down), and health (udder health, trauma) were observed. Based on the present study, the rubber slat system has been approved by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Abstracts – Oral presentations at 11th ICPD 235
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Foot/leg and udder health in relation to housing changes in Swedish dairy herds
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2002Co-Authors: Jan HultgrenAbstract:Monthly herd disease incidence rate or prevalence estimates in 196 Swedish commercial dairy herds from 1988 to 1995 were collected retrospectively from the official milk-recording scheme and merged with county administrative and farmers' data on housing and management. To study the effects of changes in housing system on the occurrence of veterinary-treated foot/leg disorders, clinical mastitis, teat injuries and high milk somatic cell counts (MSCCs), four marginal Poisson or negative-binomial regression models were applied to the data (6011-7063 herd-month records), using the generalized estimating-equations method. Monthly observations were treated as repeated measures within herds. There were significant transitory increases in the incidence of clinical foot/leg disorders when changing from Tie-Stalls to cubicles and decreases in the incidences of clinical mastitis and teat injuries when changing from Tie-Stalls to cubicle or straw-yard systems. Effects on foot/leg health generally lasted for 18 months. Reductions in the incidence of clinical mastitis were not accompanied by any clear changes in the prevalence of high MSCCs.
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Observational and Experimental Studies of the Influence of Housing Factors on the Behaviour and Health of Dairy Cows
2001Co-Authors: Jan HultgrenAbstract:Livestock housing conditions are an important determinant of animal behaviour and health. The objective of the present work was to elucidate the influence of some important housing factors on the occurrence of production diseases in dairy cattle and to clarify the relationship between experimental and observational methods in the study of disease patterns in dairy herds. The importance of the animals’ cleanliness is emphasized and consequences for their behaviour, cleanliness, health and well-being of different types of Tie-stall equipment are considered. In particular, the influence of electric cow-trainers on the animals’ health and welfare is discussed in light of the present work and previous research. Important effects on foot, leg and udder health in relation to a transition from Tie-Stalls to loose housing systems are also dealt with. Effects of electric cow-trainers on common clinical diseases, reproductive performance and risk of culling were studied by comparing lactation records from Swedish cow-trainer herds with historical and contemporary control records in herds without cow-trainers. Exposure to cow-trainers increased the incidence risk of silent heat, clinical mastitis and ketosis, and changed silent heat from being a neutral disease with respect to culling to a major risk factor. The cow-trainers increased the general negative effect of diseases on the cows’ reproductive performance and risk of culling. The influence of a rubber slat flooring system for Tie-Stalls on animal behaviour, cleanliness and foot health was studied in a controlled trial during two housing periods in an experimental dairy herd. In half of the Stalls, the rearmost part of the solid flooring was replaced with nine rubber-coated 53 mm wide slats, divided by 29-mm slots. Stalls with rubber slats were equipped with ethyl-vinyl-acetate mats in the front part and littered with small amounts of wood shavings daily, while Stalls with a solid floor had standard rubber mats and received large amounts of chopped straw daily as bedding. Cows on the rubber slatted floor lay down more easily than those on the solid floor, and rose normally and without any increased risk of slipping. However, there was some evidence of a preference for a solid floor when lying. Cows on the rubber slatted floor were much less dirty on their hindparts than those on the solid floor, and at hoof trimming, the prevalence of hygiene-related foot lesions in hind feet was several times lower in the rubber slat system. In order to study the effects of changes in housing system on foot/leg and udder health, retrospectively collected monthly herd records from Swedish dairy herds were utilized. Significant increases in the incidence of veterinary-treated foot and leg disorders were found up to 18 months after changing from Tie-Stalls to cubicles and the incidences of clinical mastitis and teat injuries were decreased beyond 18 months after changing from Tie-Stalls to cubicles or straw yards. Later than 18 months after rebuilding, herds that shifted from long-Stalls to short-Stalls had less foot and leg lesions than those remaining in long-Stalls.
Beat Wechsler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Increasing the interval between winter outdoor exercise aggravates agonistic interactions in Hérens cows kept in Tie-Stalls
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2010Co-Authors: Isabelle M.l. Castro, Beat Wechsler, Lorenz Gygax, Rudolf HauserAbstract:Abstract Cows of the dual-purpose Herens breed are highly motivated to engage in dominance interactions and thus famous for the cow fights traditionally organised by Swiss breeders. However, this characteristic may result in excessively aggressive behaviour when cows kept in Tie-Stalls meet during winter outdoor exercise. This can be dangerous for both animals and breeders in terms of likelihood of injury. Regular outdoor exercise is important for the health and social behaviour of cows, and is mandatory in Switzerland. The aim of this study was to find the maximum interval between two exercise days that leads to a minimum of agonistic interactions between the cows. The study was conducted with 51 horned Herens cows kept on six Swiss working farms. The length of the interval between days with winter outdoor exercise (daily, every third, fourth or fifth day) was experimentally increased on each farm. At the beginning of the experiment, information on social parameters (dominance index and dominance index difference) was collected for each animal and dyad. During the first 40 min of each exercise period (divided into four time-blocks of 10 min each), agonistic and allogrooming behaviour were recorded for each cow. In order to evaluate the risk of injury, all fresh wounds were noted after each exercise period, with three body parts (head, udder, rest of body) being differentiated. All data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. The frequency of agonistic interactions increased along with the interval between two days of exercise ( p p p p p p In conclusion, cows of the Herens breed show pronounced agonistic behaviour after only a few days of tethering in comparison with cows who have daily winter outdoor exercise. Based on our results, the length of the interval between exercise days should be as short as possible, and in any case not longer than three days.
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effects of frequency and duration of outdoor exercise on the prevalence of hock lesions in Tied swiss dairy cows
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2006Co-Authors: N M Keil, T U Wiederkehr, K Friedli, Beat WechslerAbstract:Abstract Injuries around the tarsal joint are common in dairy cows kept in Tie Stalls. This study investigated the influence of the frequency and duration of outdoor exercise on the prevalence of hock lesions in Tied Swiss dairy cows. Over a 1-year period (from January to December), cows on 66 farms were examined a total of six times (once every 2 months) for the number and severity of hock lesions (hairless patches, scabs and open wounds, swellings). The prevalence of scabs and wounds (mean 2.1 scabs per cow and farm, range 0.3–4.1) was negatively associated with the duration of outdoor exercise, and positively associated with its frequency. It was also significantly affected by the time of visit and the type of bedding (straw being better than other materials). With increasing length of the lying area, the prevalence of scabs and wounds decreased. Based on the interpretation of the final model, it is suggested that a minimum of 50 h spent outdoors over a 4-week period is necessary to have a marked result on the prevalence of hock lesions.
David F. Kelton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Herd-level risk factors for seven different foot lesions in Ontario Holstein cattle housed in Tie Stalls or free Stalls.
Journal of Dairy Science, 2009Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:Worldwide, there is considerable between-herd variation within individual foot lesion prevalence studies. This variation suggests that herd-level risk factors are important from a prevention perspective. The objective was to determine the effect of selected risk factors on the prevalence of 7 foot lesions in both Tie-stall and free-stall housing systems. As part of a cross-sectional foot lesion study 5 hoof trimmers recorded lesions for all cows that were foot trimmed in a herd. In addition, they completed a risk factor questionnaire for each herd. The impact of specific risk factors was evaluated using separate multi-variable models for both free-stall and Tie-stall herds. The lesions evaluated were digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, sole hemorrhage, heel horn erosion, white line separations, white line abscess, and interdigital fibroma. Model types were selected based on herd-level lesion distribution. Detrimental risk factors identified in free-stall housing included increased alley scraping frequency (2.2- to 2.4-fold for sole ulcers) and trimming in summer or fall (-0.2-fold vs. spring and winter for digital dermatitis). Protective risk factors in free Stalls included intermediate bedding depth (0.4-fold for 2.5 to 7.5 cm vs. more or less bedding for interdigital fibroma) and trimming heifers before calving (0.1-fold for white line abscess). In Tie-stall herds no protective risk factors were identified. Detrimental risk factors for lesions in Tie Stalls included year-round access to outside areas (2.1-fold increase in digital dermatitis, 3.5-fold for white line separation, and 7.0-fold for interdigital fibroma vs. no or only seasonal exercise access), routine spraying of feet (2.0-fold increase in digital dermatitis), larger herds (3.0-fold increase in interdigital fibroma vs.
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herd level risk factors for seven different foot lesions in ontario holstein cattle housed in Tie Stalls or free Stalls
Journal of Dairy Science, 2009Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:Worldwide, there is considerable between-herd variation within individual foot lesion prevalence studies. This variation suggests that herd-level risk factors are important from a prevention perspective. The objective was to determine the effect of selected risk factors on the prevalence of 7 foot lesions in both Tie-stall and free-stall housing systems. As part of a cross-sectional foot lesion study 5 hoof trimmers recorded lesions for all cows that were foot trimmed in a herd. In addition, they completed a risk factor questionnaire for each herd. The impact of specific risk factors was evaluated using separate multi-variable models for both free-stall and Tie-stall herds. The lesions evaluated were digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, sole hemorrhage, heel horn erosion, white line separations, white line abscess, and interdigital fibroma. Model types were selected based on herd-level lesion distribution. Detrimental risk factors identified in free-stall housing included increased alley scraping frequency (2.2- to 2.4-fold for sole ulcers) and trimming in summer or fall (-0.2-fold vs. spring and winter for digital dermatitis). Protective risk factors in free Stalls included intermediate bedding depth (0.4-fold for 2.5 to 7.5 cm vs. more or less bedding for interdigital fibroma) and trimming heifers before calving (0.1-fold for white line abscess). In Tie-stall herds no protective risk factors were identified. Detrimental risk factors for lesions in Tie Stalls included year-round access to outside areas (2.1-fold increase in digital dermatitis, 3.5-fold for white line separation, and 7.0-fold for interdigital fibroma vs. no or only seasonal exercise access), routine spraying of feet (2.0-fold increase in digital dermatitis), larger herds (3.0-fold increase in interdigital fibroma vs. <41 cow herds), and the use of wood bedding material (6.5-fold vs. straw bedding for interdigital fibroma). The risk factors identified need further evaluation to determine the temporal relationships, as well as whether the relationships with foot lesions are causal.
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Herd- and cow-level prevalence of foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle.
Journal of Dairy Science, 2008Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine herd-level and cow-level prevalence estimates for 11 foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle. Foot lesions were recorded by 5 hoof trimmers on 13,530 cows in 204 Ontario dairy herds from March 2004 to May 2005. Significant differences existed between free-stall and Tie-stall housing. In free-stall housing systems, 46.4% of cows had a foot lesion, compared with 25.7% of cows in Tie-stall barns. Digital dermatitis was the most common lesion in Tie Stalls, occurring in 9.3% of cows and 69.7% of the herds, whereas in free-stall herds, 22.7% of cows and 96.7% of the herds were affected. The most common hoof horn lesions were hemorrhages and ulcers, at 7.7 and 4.7% in Tie-stall housing and 11.0 and 9.2% in free-stall housing, respectively. Foot blocks were used to treat 2.2% of cows in free Stalls and 0.3% in Tie Stalls. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 9.5 to 17.3 for hoof horn lesions and 28.0 to 38.7 for infectious lesions. In summary, foot lesions diagnosed at the time of hoof trimming are common in Ontario, and appropriate treatment for hoof horn lesions is low.
N M Keil - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of frequency and duration of outdoor exercise on the prevalence of hock lesions in Tied swiss dairy cows
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2006Co-Authors: N M Keil, T U Wiederkehr, K Friedli, Beat WechslerAbstract:Abstract Injuries around the tarsal joint are common in dairy cows kept in Tie Stalls. This study investigated the influence of the frequency and duration of outdoor exercise on the prevalence of hock lesions in Tied Swiss dairy cows. Over a 1-year period (from January to December), cows on 66 farms were examined a total of six times (once every 2 months) for the number and severity of hock lesions (hairless patches, scabs and open wounds, swellings). The prevalence of scabs and wounds (mean 2.1 scabs per cow and farm, range 0.3–4.1) was negatively associated with the duration of outdoor exercise, and positively associated with its frequency. It was also significantly affected by the time of visit and the type of bedding (straw being better than other materials). With increasing length of the lying area, the prevalence of scabs and wounds decreased. Based on the interpretation of the final model, it is suggested that a minimum of 50 h spent outdoors over a 4-week period is necessary to have a marked result on the prevalence of hock lesions.
Gerard Cramer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Herd-level risk factors for seven different foot lesions in Ontario Holstein cattle housed in Tie Stalls or free Stalls.
Journal of Dairy Science, 2009Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:Worldwide, there is considerable between-herd variation within individual foot lesion prevalence studies. This variation suggests that herd-level risk factors are important from a prevention perspective. The objective was to determine the effect of selected risk factors on the prevalence of 7 foot lesions in both Tie-stall and free-stall housing systems. As part of a cross-sectional foot lesion study 5 hoof trimmers recorded lesions for all cows that were foot trimmed in a herd. In addition, they completed a risk factor questionnaire for each herd. The impact of specific risk factors was evaluated using separate multi-variable models for both free-stall and Tie-stall herds. The lesions evaluated were digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, sole hemorrhage, heel horn erosion, white line separations, white line abscess, and interdigital fibroma. Model types were selected based on herd-level lesion distribution. Detrimental risk factors identified in free-stall housing included increased alley scraping frequency (2.2- to 2.4-fold for sole ulcers) and trimming in summer or fall (-0.2-fold vs. spring and winter for digital dermatitis). Protective risk factors in free Stalls included intermediate bedding depth (0.4-fold for 2.5 to 7.5 cm vs. more or less bedding for interdigital fibroma) and trimming heifers before calving (0.1-fold for white line abscess). In Tie-stall herds no protective risk factors were identified. Detrimental risk factors for lesions in Tie Stalls included year-round access to outside areas (2.1-fold increase in digital dermatitis, 3.5-fold for white line separation, and 7.0-fold for interdigital fibroma vs. no or only seasonal exercise access), routine spraying of feet (2.0-fold increase in digital dermatitis), larger herds (3.0-fold increase in interdigital fibroma vs.
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herd level risk factors for seven different foot lesions in ontario holstein cattle housed in Tie Stalls or free Stalls
Journal of Dairy Science, 2009Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:Worldwide, there is considerable between-herd variation within individual foot lesion prevalence studies. This variation suggests that herd-level risk factors are important from a prevention perspective. The objective was to determine the effect of selected risk factors on the prevalence of 7 foot lesions in both Tie-stall and free-stall housing systems. As part of a cross-sectional foot lesion study 5 hoof trimmers recorded lesions for all cows that were foot trimmed in a herd. In addition, they completed a risk factor questionnaire for each herd. The impact of specific risk factors was evaluated using separate multi-variable models for both free-stall and Tie-stall herds. The lesions evaluated were digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, sole hemorrhage, heel horn erosion, white line separations, white line abscess, and interdigital fibroma. Model types were selected based on herd-level lesion distribution. Detrimental risk factors identified in free-stall housing included increased alley scraping frequency (2.2- to 2.4-fold for sole ulcers) and trimming in summer or fall (-0.2-fold vs. spring and winter for digital dermatitis). Protective risk factors in free Stalls included intermediate bedding depth (0.4-fold for 2.5 to 7.5 cm vs. more or less bedding for interdigital fibroma) and trimming heifers before calving (0.1-fold for white line abscess). In Tie-stall herds no protective risk factors were identified. Detrimental risk factors for lesions in Tie Stalls included year-round access to outside areas (2.1-fold increase in digital dermatitis, 3.5-fold for white line separation, and 7.0-fold for interdigital fibroma vs. no or only seasonal exercise access), routine spraying of feet (2.0-fold increase in digital dermatitis), larger herds (3.0-fold increase in interdigital fibroma vs. <41 cow herds), and the use of wood bedding material (6.5-fold vs. straw bedding for interdigital fibroma). The risk factors identified need further evaluation to determine the temporal relationships, as well as whether the relationships with foot lesions are causal.
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Herd- and cow-level prevalence of foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle.
Journal of Dairy Science, 2008Co-Authors: Gerard Cramer, Kerry D. Lissemore, C.l. Guard, Ken E. Leslie, David F. KeltonAbstract:The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine herd-level and cow-level prevalence estimates for 11 foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle. Foot lesions were recorded by 5 hoof trimmers on 13,530 cows in 204 Ontario dairy herds from March 2004 to May 2005. Significant differences existed between free-stall and Tie-stall housing. In free-stall housing systems, 46.4% of cows had a foot lesion, compared with 25.7% of cows in Tie-stall barns. Digital dermatitis was the most common lesion in Tie Stalls, occurring in 9.3% of cows and 69.7% of the herds, whereas in free-stall herds, 22.7% of cows and 96.7% of the herds were affected. The most common hoof horn lesions were hemorrhages and ulcers, at 7.7 and 4.7% in Tie-stall housing and 11.0 and 9.2% in free-stall housing, respectively. Foot blocks were used to treat 2.2% of cows in free Stalls and 0.3% in Tie Stalls. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 9.5 to 17.3 for hoof horn lesions and 28.0 to 38.7 for infectious lesions. In summary, foot lesions diagnosed at the time of hoof trimming are common in Ontario, and appropriate treatment for hoof horn lesions is low.