Distribution of hoof lesions and hoof health strategies on a robotic milking farm

Abstract

In Turkey, the use of robotic milking technology is still very new. The scientific data showing the effects on animal health are important as well as the studies related to the economic performance of milking robots. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hoof diseases encountered on dairy cattle farms working with robotic milking system and to determine the causes and to provide the necessary precautions to prevent and control hoof health problems. In the study, 93 Holstein dairy cattle aged between 35-54 months were evaluated in a dairy farm with two robotic milking system (system capacity of 120 cows/day). The locomotion scores were recorded and the cows’ feet were examined in hoof trimming chute and claws of all cows were trimmed according to biomechanical characteristics of foot. The treatment method was determined according to the condition of the lesion in cases of hoof disease and the results of recovery were followed. In the herd, cases of claw deformation (6.4%; n=6), sole ulcer (4.3%; n=4), white line disease (3.2%; n=3), digital dermatitis (8.6%; n=8), heel lesion (6.4%; n=6), foot rot (1.0%; n=1), limax (2.1%; n=2), hoof crack (2.1%; n=2) and coroner inflammation (1.0%; n=1) were recorded. Evaluated etiologically, it has been found that mistakes in the application of bath solutions used in the single footbath at the exit of the robotic milking unit in the formation of infectious foot diseases, feeding mistakes made without regard to cow traffic in the case of non infectious foot diseases and exposure of the foot to traumas due to not paying attention to comfort in the feeding areas are effective. As a result, to prevent management malfunctions causing metabolic problems, stress and traumas in animal, the use of senseless technology should be avoided in order to ensure sustainable hoof health on robotic milking farms.