The Ten Pillars Against Lameness in Cattle

In the heart of livestock production, the health of cattle's legs is a fundamental pillar for productivity and animal welfare. In a recent interview with MOTIVAR, Dr. Enrique Pofcher, a bovine podology specialist, shared valuable concepts about lameness in cattle, focusing on prevention as the most effective strategy to maintain low percentages of affected animals. In a talk given at the latest Latin American Veterinary Congress of Drovet, the professional summarized ten key management points, providing a general overview of what he considers essential to reduce the incidence of lame cows, both in dairy and breeding systems. National Landscape Dr. Pofcher emphasizes that lameness is a condition that will always exist in cattle; the true challenge lies in "having low prevalence percentages". In Argentina, the situation is concerning, with "23% of cows dealing with leg problems, representing approximately 400,000 affected animals. Digital dermatitis stands out as the main condition, ...