Mobility scoring in dairy cattle

Early detection and prompt effective treatment (EDPET) is a cornerstone of lameness management in dairy cattle and a key success factor within the AHDB Healthy Feet programme. However, the most important aspect of this approach is early detection. If cows are detected too late, when lameness is already obvious, the benefit of implementing prompt effective treatment is not realised. In turn, this can lead to a failure to see real progress in lameness prevalence which can lead to the farm team feeling demotivated and frustrated.

More than 20 years ago, O'Callaghan et al (2003) explored the link between changes in a cow's locomotion in response to pain, and the value of this as a method as a method for detecting foot lesions. This research was then expanded and standardised into what has become the AHDB 0–3 mobility scoring system. The descriptors for each category provide an objective measure against which to assess a cow while she's walking, with the ultimate goal of identifying a ‘cow that may benefit from treatment’.