Milk loss from lameness

Based on Locomotion Scoring the resulting milk losses can be calculated

Systematic lameness assessment (locomotion scoring) indirectly shows the claw health status. Lame cows eat less and hence produce less milk. (Source: JoDee Sattler, Midwest Dairy Business, 2002)

Investment in claw-friendly walking areas pays off in a short time!

source: Peter Robinson, UCDAVIS

Source: Zinpro

tip: you can easily calculate milk losses from lameness!

Specifications

Example	A	B	C
Cows with score 1 (not lame)	50	63	63
Cows with score 2 (mildly lame)	33	30	36
Cows with score 3 (moderately lame)	17	12	18
Cows with score 4 (lame)	13	10	2
Cows with score 5 (severely lame)	7	5	1
Number of cows observed: 120
Milk price: 0,30 €/Liter
Milk production level of the herd: 35 Liter/Tag
Herd size: 120

Results

Example	A	B	C
Average locomotion score	2.1	1.9	1.7
Average daily milk losses	1.46	1.24	0.48	litres/cow
	175	148	57	litres/herd
Revenue lost	52.28	44.48	17.18	€/day/herd
	19,192	16,236	6,270	€/year/herd

Source: Zinpro

Not taken into account are further costs like: reduced fertility, vet costs, excessive weight loss, withdrawal period from medicinal treatment, increased replacement,...

Bench marks for a healthy herd

Locomotion score	goal
1	75 %
2	15 %
3	9 %
4	0,5 %
5	0,5 %

Source: Steve Berry, University of California-Davis

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