Nutritional Influences on Horn Quality and Hoof Health

Lameness in dairy cows is a major cause of suffering and economic loss with up to 52% (average 20-25%) of cows becoming lame each year (Clarkson et al., 1996; Green et al., 2002). The vast majority of lameness cases are caused by a variety of non-infectious and infectious claw diseases causing severe pain, decreased milk yield, reduced reproductive performance, high culling rates and increased cost of veterinary intervention. Claw diseases are consequently a highly important economical and animal welfare issue (Whay et al., 1998, 2003). Factors affecting lameness and locomotion include but are not limited to nutrition, feeding strategies, wetness, abrasive or slippery floor surfaces and health events causing production of poor quality horn (fever, age, off-feed, metabolic disturbances, toxins/mycotoxins), inappropriate genetic selection, accelerated breeding protocols, poor peri-parturient management and farmer awareness knowledge and skills.