In a case study of one calving and mating season on a large, well-managed, South Island dairy farm, EpiVets examined how higher Herd-i lameness scores affected 6-week in-calf rate and final pregnancy rate. In addition, the financial loss resulting from reproductive failure associated with lameness was reported. The study also looked at whether there were differences between lameness detected by the Herd-i system and lameness cases treated by farm staff.
The study analysed data from 549 cattle collected between June 2023 and February 2024. This included 125,304 Herd-i lameness scores and MINDA records detailing treatments for lameness, calving dates, and pregnancy test results.
