Sharing hoof-health data to improve UK herd mobility

A hoof-health registry is set to support producers as they strive to breed for better herd mobility. So how will it work, how can producers get involved and how will they benefit?

In a bid to improve genetic evaluations, producers are being asked to share their foot trimming and hoof-health records, which will be stored in a new UK hoof health registry.

By agreeing to share this information – in exactly the same way as production and type records are shared for the benefit of the wider farming industry – hoof health records have the potential to substantially improve the genetic indexes produced by AHDB.

Producers already use two of our genetic indexes related to hoof health – Lameness Advantage and Digital Dermatitis. But with the addition of more data, the accuracy of these indexes will improve, and more hoof-related traits could be introduced.

This has the potential to substantially reduce the incidence of lameness in cows, as clearly demonstrated in a range of academic trials. One study, carried out at the University of Liverpool, identified that for every two-point decrease in Lameness Advantage, the risk of a sole ulcer doubles.

AHDB’s geneticist Marco Winters says: 

“This strong link between the existing Lameness Advantage and a cow’s tendency to go lame later in life provides compelling evidence that breeding against lameness is an extremely worthwhile strategy.

“This comes at a negligible cost to producers who simply need to select bulls with high indexes for Lameness Advantage, and breed from their own genetically-superior cows.”

High heritability

The study also found that heritability of lameness is higher than previously measured. This was particularly the case for sole ulcers, at 35%, and sole haemorrhage at 29%.

The UK Hoof Health Registry project’s James Wilson says:

"This puts lameness on a par with milk yield and many conformation traits.

“It demonstrates that, although lameness must be addressed with management interventions, there is also plenty of scope to make genetic gains.”

Genetic improvements have the benefit of being long term, permanent and cumulative, as they pass down the generations. Dr Wilson says that large datasets are essential in the drive for genetic improvement as they can help identify robust patterns of inheritance and improve the accuracy and speed of making genetic progress.

Data capture

Data captured by many dairy management software packages can be used in the UK Hoof  Health Registry project. Uniform Agri, DairyComp, All4Feet and VetIMPRESS are already linked and other packages could potentially be included, on request.

Dr Wilson says: 

“Whether producers are trimming cows’ feet themselves or using an external foot trimmer, as long as the herd data is being captured electronically, by compatible dairy management software, it can be used.

“Complete confidentiality is assured, with data being held at University of Liverpool both securely and ethically, solely for the purpose of this project.”

Eventually, the reward for producers will be more accurate genetic evaluations for Lameness Advantage and Digital Dermatitis, and the possible development of indexes for specific lameness traits. This could include sole ulcer and white line disease, which will further enhance producers’ opportunities to improve herd mobility.

Support work

Dr Wilson says that with around one in three dairy cows estimated to be lame at any point in time, there is a lot that individual producers and the industry can gain by supporting this work. 

Marco Winters adds: 

“Producers should be congratulated on already taking enormous strides in improving genetics for a range of production, conformation, health and management traits. And with better and more accurate records, there’s no reason they can’t do the same with lameness.

“While the prospect of defeating lameness for good is challenging, we must pay attention to it or we could easily breed for cows that are more prone to hoof health issues.”

Dr Wilson urges producers to be part of the process to improve the genetics of lameness. “By doing something simple, like sharing a small amount of data, we can achieve something really impactful for producers and their herds and businesses.”

What are producers being asked to do?

All milk-recorded herds that trim cows’ feet are urged to take part.

• Once a consent form has been completed, foot trimming and hoof-health data will be sent electronically to the new UK Hoof Health Registry
• Only data captured electronically by compatible dairy management software can be used
• Software already linked to the registry includes: Uniform Agri, DairyComp, All4Feet, and VetIMPRESS
• Data from other dairy management software packages could potentially be included, on request
• The information can be used irrespective of whether it is collected by the producer or the foot trimmer
• No farm visits, or changes to hoof-health management, are required
• Information is never shared with any third party, and all data reported is completely anonymised

To allow your herd’s foot trimming data to be used in this work, complete the University of Liverpool form: Participant consent form - Hoof Health Records 

Alternatively text 07468 495027 or email j.p.wilson@liv.ac.uk