RECENTLY a 6000 cow study carried out by AFBI, Hillsborough concluded that a third of all herds in Northern Ireland had problems with lameness, with a financial cost of £178 per case.

Cow mobility is a cornerstone of overall herd health that should never be overlooked as an opportunity to improve the profitability of every herd. By targeting the prevalence and severity of lameness in each herd, through a practical and feasible approach, the financial impact on the relative cost of milk production can be improved.

With the combined efforts of Steve Paul, Grade 1 Hoof Trimming Assessor, Michael Bain, Zinpro Performance Minerals and the Thompsons Team, the idea of targeting lameness in the six counties of Northern Ireland became a reality from 14th – 18th February 2011.

The venues were set for the six lameness workshops: Derryduff Farm, Dungiven, Drew McConnell’s, Omagh, Dessie Moore’s Corryglass Herd, Fintona, The Megarity Family Farm, Armagh, Dunleath Estates, Ballywalter, Crawford’s, Gracehill Ballymena.

Each workshop was designed to incorporate theory with the practical side of lameness – which it did with great enthusiasm.

Three work-stops provided the format of each session:

1.Richard Moore, James Black and Jason McMinn (of Jason McMinn Consultancy) outlined the impact of nutrition on lameness and how it fits into the overall financial picture of milk production costings – and ultimately the ‘bottom line’.

2.Michael Bain tested the ability of each producer to identify the severity of lameness using the Locomotion Scoring Map as detailed in Zinpro’s First Step Programme.

3.Steve Paul kept everyone ‘glued’ to his section of the workshop as he skilfully assessed and trimmed cow’s feet using his well travelled ‘crush’.

The events brought more than just a practical approach to lameness, as they also facilitated the discussion of a topic that has, potentially, serious financial implications when it is left unattended.

Thanks must be given to all of those that were involved in making the workshops such a success. From the hosts of each event that provided their excellent facilities without hesitation to all the producers that gave up their time to support these events.

It was with great regret that the workshop at Dunleath Estates was cancelled and Thompsons take this opportunity to send their sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Jack Harris at this sad time.

DerryDuff Farm – by kind permission of the Semple Family

The first workshop - on Valentine’s Day - was the impressive dairy unit on the Legavallon Road, Dungiven – Derryduff Farm. The family partnership of Ian, Jean and Wesley Semple provided a great start to the week of workshops.

Gordon Donaldson, Thompsons Sales Director, welcomed everyone to the Lameness Workshops explaining the motivation behind the event.

“The overall objective of each forum is to help understand herd lameness – and more importantly – how through nutritional and non- nutritional factors, producers can reduce this financial burden on their herd,” he said.

“Lameness must be recognised as a key aspect of the overall picture of herd health and although its cost is very evident at the time of culling, the financial consequences of lameness and mobility on the whole herd are often overlooked.”

Wesley Semple responded to Gordon’s introduction by highlighting the measures in place at Derryduff Farm to prevent and control lameness. Wesley detailed the pro-active approach the farm takes to tackling overall herd health, cow comfort and the sustainability of a profitable dairy unit.

Overlooking the remarkable cow shed that houses the Derryduff herd Steve Paul – the ‘black belt’ of hoof trimming - was welcomed to speak by Gordon. He gave a brief synopsis on the implications of foot problems such as slurry heel, digital dermatitis, laminitis and foul of the foot.

Following time for questions everyone was split into three groups which were allocated a leader. Each group spent 30 minutes either locomotion scoring, at the crush, or analysing the nutritional and financial implications of lameness. Every group had the opportunity to Steve Paul in action listen to and watch the expertise of each speaker before concluding and finishing with a delicious hot lunch. Derryduff Farm was the first of five workshops carried out across the province. Over the next four weeks the other farms will be profiled in photographs completing the full picture of the one off event – the lameness workshops.