Abstract
Sub-optimal mobility in dairy cows can be broadly defined as abnormal gait which causes a deviation from the optimal walking pattern of a cow. Sub-optimal mobility is also associated with significant economic and environmental consequences, which have yet to be extensively researched or quantified in pasture-based systems. However, to quantify sub-optimal mobility in terms of its impacts economically and environmentally, and indeed to aid in the development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility, a clear understanding of the characteristics of a cow with sub-optimal mobility is required. So far, automated detection sensors have been successful for detecting moderate to severe forms of sub-optimal mobility. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the cow-level traits associated with all forms of sub-optimal mobility, including mild forms, to incorporate this into future development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the associations between hoof disorders (both type and presence), body condition score, and all levels of sub-optimal mobility in pasture-based dairy cows using data from a large sample of Irish dairy farms. Mobility scores, body condition scores (BCS), claw disorder (presence and severity), and parity records were available for 6,927 dairy cows from 52 pasture-based herds. Binomial logistic regression analysis was completed to determine the associations between claw disorder (presence and severity), BCS, parity and sub-optimal mobility. The output variable was sub-optimal mobility (mobility score ≥ 1) and the predictor variables were specific claw disorders and their severities, BCS, and parity. Our results indicate that all severities of claw disorders, low BCS, and higher parity cows are all associated with an increased risk for sub-optimal mobility.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Precision Livestock Farming 2019 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Papers Presented at the 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019 |
| Editors | Bernadette O'Brien, Deirdre Hennessy, Laurence Shalloo |
| Publisher | Teagasc |
| Pages | 798-802 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781841706542 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2019 |
| Event | 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019 - Cork, Ireland Duration: 26 Aug 2019 → 29 Aug 2019 |
Publication series
| Name | Precision Livestock Farming 2019 - Papers Presented at the 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019 |
|---|
Conference
| Conference | 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019 |
|---|---|
| Country | Ireland |
| City | Cork |
| Period | 26/08/19 → 29/08/19 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Body condition
- Claw disorder
- Grass-based system
- Lameness
- Parity
Cite this
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Associating body condition score and parity with sub-optimal mobility in pasture-based dairy cows. / O'Connor, A.H.; Bokkers, E.A.M.; De Boer, I.J.M.; Hogeveen, H.; Sayers, R.; Byrne, N.; Ruelle, E.; Shalloo, L.
Precision Livestock Farming 2019: Papers Presented at the 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019. ed. / Bernadette O'Brien; Deirdre Hennessy; Laurence Shalloo. Teagasc, 2019. p. 798-802 (Precision Livestock Farming 2019 - Papers Presented at the 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference paper
TY - GEN
T1 - Associating body condition score and parity with sub-optimal mobility in pasture-based dairy cows
AU - O'Connor, A.H.
AU - Bokkers, E.A.M.
AU - De Boer, I.J.M.
AU - Hogeveen, H.
AU - Sayers, R.
AU - Byrne, N.
AU - Ruelle, E.
AU - Shalloo, L.
PY - 2019/8
Y1 - 2019/8
N2 - Sub-optimal mobility in dairy cows can be broadly defined as abnormal gait which causes a deviation from the optimal walking pattern of a cow. Sub-optimal mobility is also associated with significant economic and environmental consequences, which have yet to be extensively researched or quantified in pasture-based systems. However, to quantify sub-optimal mobility in terms of its impacts economically and environmentally, and indeed to aid in the development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility, a clear understanding of the characteristics of a cow with sub-optimal mobility is required. So far, automated detection sensors have been successful for detecting moderate to severe forms of sub-optimal mobility. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the cow-level traits associated with all forms of sub-optimal mobility, including mild forms, to incorporate this into future development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the associations between hoof disorders (both type and presence), body condition score, and all levels of sub-optimal mobility in pasture-based dairy cows using data from a large sample of Irish dairy farms. Mobility scores, body condition scores (BCS), claw disorder (presence and severity), and parity records were available for 6,927 dairy cows from 52 pasture-based herds. Binomial logistic regression analysis was completed to determine the associations between claw disorder (presence and severity), BCS, parity and sub-optimal mobility. The output variable was sub-optimal mobility (mobility score ≥ 1) and the predictor variables were specific claw disorders and their severities, BCS, and parity. Our results indicate that all severities of claw disorders, low BCS, and higher parity cows are all associated with an increased risk for sub-optimal mobility.
AB - Sub-optimal mobility in dairy cows can be broadly defined as abnormal gait which causes a deviation from the optimal walking pattern of a cow. Sub-optimal mobility is also associated with significant economic and environmental consequences, which have yet to be extensively researched or quantified in pasture-based systems. However, to quantify sub-optimal mobility in terms of its impacts economically and environmentally, and indeed to aid in the development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility, a clear understanding of the characteristics of a cow with sub-optimal mobility is required. So far, automated detection sensors have been successful for detecting moderate to severe forms of sub-optimal mobility. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the cow-level traits associated with all forms of sub-optimal mobility, including mild forms, to incorporate this into future development of automated detection sensors for sub-optimal mobility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the associations between hoof disorders (both type and presence), body condition score, and all levels of sub-optimal mobility in pasture-based dairy cows using data from a large sample of Irish dairy farms. Mobility scores, body condition scores (BCS), claw disorder (presence and severity), and parity records were available for 6,927 dairy cows from 52 pasture-based herds. Binomial logistic regression analysis was completed to determine the associations between claw disorder (presence and severity), BCS, parity and sub-optimal mobility. The output variable was sub-optimal mobility (mobility score ≥ 1) and the predictor variables were specific claw disorders and their severities, BCS, and parity. Our results indicate that all severities of claw disorders, low BCS, and higher parity cows are all associated with an increased risk for sub-optimal mobility.
KW - Body condition
KW - Claw disorder
KW - Grass-based system
KW - Lameness
KW - Parity
M3 - Conference paper
T3 - Precision Livestock Farming 2019 - Papers Presented at the 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2019
SP - 798
EP - 802
BT - Precision Livestock Farming 2019
A2 - O'Brien, Bernadette
A2 - Hennessy, Deirdre
A2 - Shalloo, Laurence
PB - Teagasc
ER -