Robotic milking: Preventing lameness | Sollio Agriculture

When it comes to robotic milking systems, preventing lameness is crucial. It has a major impact on both cow well-being and productivity.

Robotic milking systems are defined by voluntary milking. But for the system to work, farmers need to know how prevalent lameness is within their herds and take a fast, responsible approach to dealing with it.

I often say that in dairy, we work with “Formula 1” cows. They’re doing the equivalent of taking turns at 300 km/h, and to pull that off, they need to be in good shape and have healthy feet and legs. They need proper tires and pit stops, so to speak.

This means that any problems with lameness need to be addressed. Studies show that lame cattle are milked less (-0.3 milkings/day) and produce less milk (-1.64 kg/day).

What causes foot and leg problems?

As with race cars, there are many different factors involved in the “mechanical issues” experienced by cows.

• Lying time: With robotic milking systems, some cows don’t spend enough time lying down. Spending many consecutive hours standing in waiting areas and alleyways puts a lot of pressure on feet and legs.

• Hoof trimming: Sometimes preventive trimming isn’t done often enough or isn’t adapted to the specifics of a given farm.

• Heat stress

• Comfort

• Flooring type

• Feed management

Other possible causes of locomotion problems in cows include infections, poor transition periods, and metabolic disorders after calving.

 

Preventing lameness

The best mechanics will tell you that preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your car in top shape. The same goes for dairy cows.

Regular, proper hoof trimming is essential to prevent lameness. In the same vein, giving your cows regular footbaths can help control infections. Just be sure to follow your veterinarian’s advice.

Early detection is a key factor in keeping lameness under control. If you can identify the early signs, you can act quickly to keep your cow’s condition from worsening.

Want more advice on preventing lameness in your herd? Talk to your agri-advisor!