Standing behavior and sole horn lesions: A prospective observational longitudinal study

Studies performed on individual research farms have reported that dairy cattle developing sole hemorrhages or ulcers in peak to mid lactation spent more time standing during the weeks around calving. The aim of this prospective observational longitudinal study was evaluate whether relationship is evident commercial herds. A convenience sample 8 herds were visited every other week, and animals without previous severe horn lesions deemed sound at 4 wk before calving enrolled. Standing behavior measured with data loggers attached a rear leg, duration longest bout determined for each cow. summarized into 3 periods: (d ?14 ?2), ?1 1), after 2 14) Average daily average cow period. normally distributed, mean ± standard deviation 12.1 1.6, 14.4 2.2, 13.8 1.7 h/d periods, respectively. right skewed median 3.6 [interquartile range (IQR): 3.0 4.3; range: 12.1], 3.9 (IQR: 3.1 4.8; 1.3 11.5), 3.7 3.2 4.4; 1.5 11.7) before, around, calving, Hoof trimming 12 postpartum; hoof lesion per cow, most serious injury type noted. Sole found 25 256 cows. Mixed-effect logistic regression models herd as random effect used analyze risk ulcers, using reference category. Separate fitted behaviors, periods Change from also analyzed. Body condition score body loss early lactation, milk yield, parity, days included covariates. In study, no evidence an association between Longer longer bouts associated increased odds increase Animals white line had higher unconditional becoming lame (odds ratio = 2.5) severely compared registered trimming. Multiparous lameness incidence, both Avoiding practices exacerbate increases may reduce incidence ulcers.