Why do I see lameness 6-8 weeks post calving?

To give birth many changes must happen to a cow’s body. This includes relaxation of connective tissue (think loosening of ligaments and pelvis). Relaxing everything is vital to the passage of the calf but a negative of this is that the part of the hoof that grows new hoof is also made of connective tissue. The softening of this tissue makes it less resilient to external forces and increases the chance of lameness.

On top of the loosening of ligaments, cows lose weight around calving. Inside the hoof, there is a fat cushion that absorbs forces when walking. As cows lose weight the cushion reduces in size. These two things mean injuries happen deep in the foot, but you don’t see the injury until it grows out to the bottom of the foot.

Careful cow walking management around calving can greatly reduce the risk of lameness. Things like not pushing cows to walk, reducing time on yards, and making sure cows have adequate space in the yard to spread out help to support the hoof. If you’re having trouble visualising this, check out the video below, the first in a series from AgriHealth NZ about monitoring, managing & minimising lameness in your herd.

8 weeks after calving is a good time to do a herd lameness score to get a gauge on how your herd is going.

Belinda Borman, BVSc, Farm Vet Taupiri