Prevent lameness to improve 6-week in-calf rate

Changing how we treat lameness can improve cure rates by 50%, reduce culling for lameness by 50% and improve 6-week in-calf rates and empty rates^¹. Being lame is the biggest risk to becoming lame again. This is due to bony changes that happen in a cow’s foot when she is lame.

We can stop this cycle by treating in a way that prevents new future cases of lameness. There are four key steps to lameness treatment for better outcomes: treating early, picking feet up and trimming them, managing the pain and managing recovery. The single biggest thing that improves lameness outcomes is detecting and treating lameness quickly. 

What practical things can I do?

Identify lame cows early – take time to watch the herd walking:

• Address any underlying causes of lameness, e.g. minimise time on concrete and move stock calmly.
• Have good facilities to make it a nicer experience for cows and your staff – this makes it quicker and safer. A roof and good lighting in the treatment area make a big difference.  

Treat as soon as possible:

• Get outside help (hoof trimmer/vet) if you’re too pushed for time to examine and treat cows quickly.
• Pick the feet up and trim them. Most cows will recover faster with a hoof block.
• Manage the pain and inflammation. This gets them moving and eating again.
• Giving pain relief results in production benefits- even for mildly lame cows.

Manage the recovery of these cows by minimising walking but continuing to feed well:

• If the pasture is getting short for the lame mob bring them supplement, they should be fed like the other milking cows. Low BCS cows are more likely to become lame and more likely to stay lame
• Have a system for recording progress, so you can keep track and know when to recheck her if she’s not improving. 

How can you identify lame cows early?

• Any additional cow identified or identified quickly will make a positive difference.
• Get staff looking at cows on a set day each week, e.g. at cups off or as cows come into the shed.
• Encourage staff to draft out any lame cows they see, even if mild.
• Using camera technology.
• Score the whole herd for lameness at high-risk times. 

Remember:

• Lameness over mating will have a direct impact on repro performance.
• Taking the time to monitor lameness will help pick up cases sooner.
• Treating early with appropriate trimming, pain relief, and support will greatly improve recovery rates and reduce production and reproductive impacts.
• The sick/ lame cow mob needs to be fed as well, if not better than, the main mob.

Talk to your local vet or on-farm advisory team for any lameness questions you have, including your approach to diagnosis and treatment.

¹ HFNZ Webinar by Winston Mason. Retrieved 7/9/2025 from: https://youtu.be/EMlwn-9PVvI