Lameness is one of the most pressing health and welfare challenges facing Irish dairy farms. That’s according to Teagasc research, Dr Muireann Conneely, who spoke at the launch of a new video series to help farmers tackle lameness.

“Recent Teagasc research found that approximately 1 in 10 Irish dairy cows is lame at any one time, with levels rising to over 30% in some herds. The top 20% of Irish herds maintain lameness prevalence below 5%,” Dr Conneely added.

Launched by Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day on July 2, a series of short Animal Health Ireland (AHI) videos is now available online.

The SCIP project (Sound Cow Innovation Programme) was also launched, which is an EIP-funded initiative involving Animal Health Ireland (AHI), Teagasc, UCD, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ICBF, ICFTA (Irish Cattle Foot Trimmers Association), Tirlán, veterinary input and Farm Relief Service. It aims to pilot a lameness control programme on Irish dairy farms.

Michelle McGrath, Hoof HealthCheck Programme Manager at Animal Health Ireland said; “For the average 100 cow dairy herd with 10% lameness, the cost of lameness is approximately €8,750 per annum. The SCIP programme is key in highlighting a preventative approach to lameness in dairy herds, while complementing how farmers are successfully approaching lameness. The programme will be a first step to having a lameness control plan for all farms in Ireland.”

The first in the series of videos on dairy cow lameness explores why lameness matters, not just for animal welfare, but also for farm productivity, sustainability and public trust.

Watch the full series of videos now on the AHI YouTube channel here.

On Teagasc Daily, an article will accompany each video, as part of a five-part series aimed at helping farmers tackle lameness through practical, evidence-based solutions. Follow here for Teagasc Daily updates.