Association of Lameness Prevalence and Severity in Early-Lactation Cows with Milk Traits, Metabolic Profile, and Dry Period
Vigilijus Jukna,
Edita Meškinytė,
Gediminas Urbonavičius,
Ronaldas Bilskis,
Ramūnas Antanaitis,
Lina Kajokienė,
Vida Juozaitienė
Affiliations
Vigilijus Jukna
Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto St. 10A, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
Edita Meškinytė
Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto St. 10A, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
Gediminas Urbonavičius
Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto St. 10A, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
Ronaldas Bilskis
Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto St. 10A, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
Ramūnas Antanaitis
Large Animal Clinic, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
Lina Kajokienė
Institute of Biology Systems and Genetic Research, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
Vida Juozaitienė
Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto St. 10A, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
This study investigated the prevalence and severity of lameness in dairy cow herds, focusing on its relationship with milk traits, metabolic profile, and dry period management. Lameness was evaluated in 4221 multiparous Holstein dairy cows during early lactation (up to 60 days postpartum) using a 1-to-5 scale. The average lameness score was 1.67, with a prevalence of 10.66% (scores 3 to 5) and 4.55% classified as severe (scores 4 to 5). Severe lameness was associated with energy-corrected milk losses of −11.00 kg/day (p p p p < 0.05). This research underscores the need for improved management strategies to enhance dairy cow welfare and productivity.
