Evaluating Alternatives to Locomotion Scoring for Lameness Detection in Pasture-Based Dairy Cows in New Zealand: Infra-Red Thermography

Lameness in cattle is a complex condition with huge impacts on welfare, and its detection is challenging for the dairy industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between foot skin temperature (FST) measured using infrared thermography (IRT) and locomotion scoring (LS) in dairy cattle kept at pasture. Data were collected from a 940-cow dairy farm in New Zealand. Cows were observed at two consecutive afternoon milkings where LS was undertaken at the first milking (4-point scale (0–3), DairyNZ). The next day, cows were thermally imaged from the plantar aspect of the hind feet using a handheld T650sc forward-looking infrared camera (IRT). The association between FST and locomotion score was analysed using a generalised linear model with an identity link function and robust estimators. ROC curves were performed to determine optimal threshold temperature cut-off values by maximising sensitivity and specificity for detecting locomotion score ≥ 2. There was a linear association between individual locomotion scores and FST. For mean temperature (MT), each one-unit locomotion score increase was associated with a 0.944 °C rise in MT. Using MT at a cut-off point of 34.5 °C produced a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 92.4% for identifying cows with a locomotion score ≥ 2 (lame). Thus, IRT has a substantial potential to be used on-farm for lameness detection. However, automation of the process will likely be necessary for IRT to be used without interfering with farm operations.

23 Effects of Rubber Matting on Cattle Locomotion Scores in Slatted Facilities

The objective was to determine effects of interlocking rubber floor matting in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities on cattle locomotion. In experiment 1, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (N = 206; BW = 228 ± 34 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 32 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: new Max Grip Animat matting (MG), new Animat Pebble matting (PEB), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD), and no matting/concrete slating (CONC). Steers were fed a common diet for 209 d with an average stocking density of 3.70 m2 per steer. Locomotion scores were assigned by two trained staff using a 0–3 scale of the Step-Up® Locomotion Scoring System (Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN) throughout both experiments. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.88) observed. Treatment affected (P < 0.01) locomotion scores with CONC being the greatest and MG, PEB, and OLD being lesser and not different from each other. Locomotion scores also increased (P < 0.01) over time. In experiment 2, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (n = 189; BW = 352 ± 43 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 21 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: new Animat Pebble matting (PEB2), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD2), or no matting/concrete slating (CONC2). Steers were fed a common diet for 152 d with an average stocking density of 2.64 m2 per steer. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.42) observed. However, both treatment and day affected (P ≤ 0.02) locomotion scores. Steers on CONC2 had the greatest locomotion score, while PEB2 and OLD2 were not different from each other. Locomotion scores were the greatest on d 152. Overall, results suggest new and old rubber floor matting improved locomotion scores of feedlot steers in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities.

Prediction of lameness using automatically recorded activity, behavior and production data in post-parturient Irish dairy cows

Background Although visual locomotion scoring is inexpensive and simplistic, it is also time consuming and subjective. Automated lameness detection methods have been developed to replace the visual locomotion scoring and aid in early and accurate detection. Several types of sensors are measuring traits such as activity, lying behavior or temperature. Previous studies on automatic lameness detection have been unable to achieve high accuracy in combination with practical implementation in a on farm commercial setting. The objective of our research was to develop a prediction model for lameness in dairy cattle using a combination of remote sensor technology and other animal records that will translate sensor data into easy to interpret classified locomotion information for the farmer. During an 11-month period, data from 164 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were gathered, housed at an Irish research farm. A neck-mounted accelerometer was used to gather behavioral metrics, additional automatically recorded data consisted of milk production and live weight. Locomotion scoring data were manually recorded, using a one-to-five scale (1 = non-lame, 5 = severely lame). Locomotion scores where then used to label the cows as sound (locomotion score 1) or unsound (locomotion score ≥ 2). Four supervised classification models, using a gradient boosted decision tree machine learning algorithm, were constructed to investigate whether cows could be classified as sound or unsound. Data available for model building included behavioral metrics, milk production and animal characteristics. Results The resulting models were constructed using various combinations of the data sources. The accuracy of the models was then compared using confusion matrices, receiver-operator characteristic curves and calibration plots. The model which achieved the highest performance according to the accuracy measures, was the model combining all the available data, resulting in an area under the curve of 85% and a sensitivity and specificity of 78%. Conclusion These results show that 85% of this model’s predictions were correct in identifying cows as sound or unsound, showing that the use of a neck-mounted accelerometer, in combination with production and other animal data, has potential to replace visual locomotion scoring as lameness detection method in dairy cows.

213 Distribution of subjectively evaluated conformation traits in commercial growing replacement gilts

Feet and leg/locomotor issues represent a primary reason for sow removal from U.S. breeding herds. A shift from gestation stalls (GS) to group-sow housing (GSH) is occurring the U.S. swine industry, emphasizing the importance of structural soundness in replacement gilts. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine if feet and leg/body conformation score differences exist when evaluated at approximately 50 kgs. and 100 kgs.; 2) estimate subjectively scored feet and leg/body conformation trait repeatability within and across measurement time and scorer(s); and 3) determine if the ideal feet and leg conformation traits and scores within traits are the same within GS and GSH. A total of 4494 gilts were evaluated at approximately 22 weeks of age at 3 different farms within the same production system by 4 scorers, representing varying levels of experience. The conformation traits evaluated included locomotion score (LS), front and rear leg conformation (FLC and RLC), front and rear pastern angle (FP and RP), front and rear foot position (FFP and RFP), rib shape (RS), foot size (FS) and toe size (TS). Across farms, the mean gilt BW was 83 ± 11.5 kg. Across scorers and the entire gilt population, the mean conformation scores were: LS (0.06 ± 0.16), FLC (6.1 ± 0.54), RLC (5.4 ± 0.40), FP (3.6 ± 0.62), RP (4.0 ± 0.64), FFP (4.4 ± 0.31), RFP (4.1 ± 0.30), RS (4.3 ± 0.72), FS (2.0 ± 0.35) and TS (4.8 ± 0.61). The entire gilt population was divided amongst four individual sow herds (2 GS and 2 GSH). Sow performance will be followed for three parities to determine the relationship between production and longevity within gestation housing systems and determine if the relationships are associated with one or more conformation traits and/or differences in scores within each conformation trait.

Characterization of Oligofructose-Induced Acute Rumen Lactic Acidosis and the Appearance of Laminitis in Zebu Cattle

The objective of this study was to characterize oligofructose-induced acute rumen lactic acidosis and its consequences in zebu cattle. We used 29 Nellore heifers which were submitted to experimental induction of laminitis by oligofructose excess. During the induction period, the animals underwent clinical examination, including laminitis diagnosis (hoof pressure testing and locomotion score) and blood and ruminal fluid sampling every six hours (over the initial 24 h) and every 12 h (up to 72 h), after the highest dose. Almost half of the animals (48.1%) required treatment with bicarbonate and saline to correct metabolic acidosis and dehydration. Due to this treatment, the animals were analyzed in treated (n = 13) and non-treated (n = 14) groups. The induction model promoted marked reduction in rumen pH, rumen anaerobiosis, carbon dioxide pressure, and increase in rumen lactate, blood osmolarity, and cortisol concentration. The animals treated had lower values of rumen pH and marked dehydration, evidenced by the increase in globular volume and serum urea. The clinical condition caused by excess oligofructose is severe, with the differential of the appearance of ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation against systemic acidosis, in addition to the frequent appearance of laminitis.

Arthrectomy for traumatic proximal interphalangeal arthritis in the lateral digit in a heifer

Instructive information on the treatment for chronic deep infections of digital joints in a 9-month-old Holstein heifer is described in this report. Preoperative ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations revealed soft tissue swelling and subchondral bone lysis at the distal part of the proximal phalanx in the lateral digit. Arthrectomy was performed under xylazine sedation to remove infectious articular cartilage tissues. Immature callus formation was observed via radiography at the surgical site by the 28th postoperative day. On the 48th postoperative day, callus fellinto disrepair on the radiographs along with aggravation of the locomotion score. After the application of a half-limb cast, the immature callus formed again by the 62nd postoperative day (11 months), and bony callus formation was observed by the 74th postoperative day. Thereafter, the heifer could walk well with marked improvement in the locomotion score. The withers height of the heifer at 13 months (136 cm) was within the range of that in control heifers of the same age on this farm (133 ± 3 cm); however, the body weight (BW) of this heifer (322 kg) was lower than the BW of controls (384 ± 26 kg). The BW gain from 11 to 13 months of age seemed to be higher in the present heifer (+76 kg) than in controls (+55±20 kg), suggesting that BW of the present heifer was returning to the original BW. Based on these observations, we suggested that arthrectomy was an effective treatment option for the present case of digital joint arthritis.

Prepartum lameness on subsequent lactation in Holstein dairy cows

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to confirm the possible consequences of prepartum lameness on subsequent lactation among Holstein cows. In this research, 27 multiparous cows, were monitored from the 30th to 63rd day, relative to calving. Thirty days prior to parturition, the animals were segregated into two groups based on the locomotion score (LS), where LS 1 is attributed to animals without claudication, LS 2 to those with suspected lameness and LS 3, 4 and 5 to those with mild, moderate and severe lameness, respectively; in the lame cows group (LC) (n=15), the animals displayed LS ≥ 3, whereas in the non-lame cows group (NLC) (n=12) they showed LS 1. Milk production, body condition score (BCS) and blood concentration levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), urea, phosphorus, calcium aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total plasma proteins (PPT) were evaluated. Milk production (17.675 ± 0.31 L of milk/day) and blood calcium concentration (7.42 ± 0.12 mg/dL) were lower in the lame cows in comparison to those without lameness (22.27 ± 0.42 L of milk/day and 9.63 ± 0.13 mg/dL). Besides, the lame cows showed higher BCS loss during the early postpartum period. The metabolites AST, GGT, PPT, urea, BHB and phosphorus revealed no difference between the groups during the period evaluated. The lameness evident in cows during prepartum exerted major negative effects on the milk production and calcemia, making the LS evaluation during these period an important tool in the early diagnosis of losses for future lactation.