Improving the Prevention and Treatment of Lameness on Organic Dairy Farms
Project Director
Paul J. Plummer
Year Funded
2017
Award Number
2017-51300-26852
Funded Institution
Iowa State University
Grant Program
OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)
Project Overview
Lameness is more costly than mastitis for dairy farms, and organic production systems entail different risk factors and intervention options than conventional dairy operations. The goal of this project was to develop protocols to prevent, manage, and treat lameness in organic dairy cattle. Project activities included:
(1) Initial interviews with 74 certified organic dairy farmers to identify relationships between management practices and incidence of lameness.
(2) Clinical trials of organic treatments were conducted for four causes of lameness: digital dermatitis, footrot, white line disease, and sole ulcers. A total of 1,166 cows were enrolled and evaluated five times during the study.
(3) Development and delivery of organic modules for the ISU Master Hoof Care Program.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented follow-up visits with interviewees and necessitated online delivery of the Master Organic Hoof Care Program. However, the project remained in touch with all 74 farmers and clinical trials proceeded as planned with farmers delivering treatments and collecting data.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Four causes of lameness in dairy cattle – digital dermatitis, white line disease, foot rot, and sole ulcers – stem from bacterial hoof infections, which can be contagious.
(2) Conventional treatment of lameness includes antibiotics; researchers evaluated organic alternatives in over 1,100 cows and gathered data from physical evaluations.
(3) Diligent hoof care and hygiene can reduce lameness-related infections.
Project Outputs
Krebill, C. (2023). Improving the prevention, management, and treatment of lameness on organic dairy farms. Iowa State University Master’s Thesis.