Using farm data to improve hoof health

Join AHDB and Farming Connect for a webinar with strategic dairy farm host, Arthur Owen, to find out how to improve hoof health.

Reducing lameness is one of the most pressing challenges facing the UK dairy industry, with impacts on cow welfare, public perception, and financial performance. Early identification and prompt effective treatment of lame cows is key to addressing these problems; and has driven the Owen family to complete monthly mobility scoring. 

In this webinar Arthur will be joined by vet Sara Pedersen of Farm Dynamics, to discuss how the team at Bodysgaw can ensure that they are effectively identifying and treating lame cows and adopting a holistic approach to reducing the risk factors for poor hoof health. 

In this session you will learn about: 

• The importance of mobility scoring and early identification
• Effective record keeping
• Best approaches to hoof trimming and treating causes of lameness
• An overview of the Healthy Feet Lite and Healthy Feet Programmes
• How to use on farm data as part of a hoof health plan

About Bodysgaw Isa

Bodysgaw Isa has been tenanted by the Owen family on the Cefn Estate since 1939.  First managed by his grandfather, Arthur Owen now runs the farm alongside his two sons Guto and Gwion, wife Marian, plus father in law Clwyd. 

This autumn calving herd consists of 375 Friesian Crossbred ‘Easy Care Cows’ average 7077 litres (587kg MS) per cow per year at 4.65% butterfat and 3.65% protein.  The herd, which calves onto grass, has an impression 5 year average of 93% cows calving within the first 8 weeks of the block.  All cows graze from early Feb until late Nov, average stocking density 3.65LU/ha across the year.  All replacements are home reared. 

Find out more about Bodysgaw Isa’s story by visiting www.ahdb.org.uk/bodysgaw-isa

About Sara Pedersen- Farm Dynamics

Sara Pedersen is a veterinary surgeon specialising in cattle hoof health. She runs Farm Dynamics Ltd, a veterinary consultancy, is an RCVS specialist in cattle health and production, holds a Diploma in bovine reproduction, and is currently reading for a PhD in cattle lameness at the University of Nottingham.

About Strategic Dairy Farms

Strategic dairy farms help farmers learn from each other through regular on-farm meetings where we will share key performance data and showcase what the best farmers are doing. 

They form part of the Optimal Dairy Systems programme which aims to help dairy farmers lower costs and increase efficiency by focusing on either a block or all-year-round calving system. 

The growing network of strategic dairy farms have calculated key performance indicators (KPIs) for their enterprises which are shared at meetings and published online. These are physical and financial performance measures that are critical to success. Farmers can benchmark their businesses against these KPIs and identify areas for improvement. 

Follow the programme and find other local SDFs at www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence