DairyCo

Manage cow mobility with new mobility scoring DVD

Published 12 January 10

Poor mobility in dairy cows can cost farmers an average of £180 per case through lost milk sales, treatments and productivity.  To help tackle the problem, DairyCo has launched a new DVD to help producers get the best from mobility scoring.

The DVD, which can be used in conjunction with the DairyCo mobility scoring pad, highlights where, when and how to mobility score.

Kate Cross, DairyCo Product Manager explains: "With an estimated 25% of the national herd lame at various levels at any one time, this represents a huge drain on industry resources.

 "The DVD, which was developed using the DairyCo mobility score, contains information about the best possible location to mobility score to get the clearest results, plus when and how often to score in order to make it a really useful management tool for your business. It also has information on, and examples of, the points to look for when scoring cattle into each category. 

"The DVD has a bank of 30 test clips to help train and test all those involved with mobility scoring on the farm.  It also has some case studies with producers talking about how they use mobility scoring within their business to help reduce incidences of lameness.

 "Mobility scoring is relatively easy to apply but for farmers to reap the benefits it needs to be carried out regularly. Benefits include greater general foot health awareness and early detection of any mobility problems, resulting in prompt identification and management.

"Scoring allows poor mobility trends to be monitored within the herd and causes to be identified early. Mobility scoring provides figures for benchmarking performance and it can motivate farm staff to improve herd mobility," says Kate.

"This DVD is a great chance to get some expert knowledge about mobility scoring, as well as an opportunity to see moving examples of cattle in each scoring category," she concludes.

To order a copy of the DVD or go to or call the publications line on 02476 478695.

Ends

Date 12 January 2010

For further information:

N:        Helen Bond

T:        02476 478696

E:        helen.bond@dairyco.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

DairyCo is a division of the statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

DairyCo's current focus is on improving the profitability of dairy farming by focusing on four specific areas:

• Provision of high quality market information to help farmers and their representatives make the most of dairy markets and opportunities.
• Helping dairy farmers increase their profits while meeting regulatory and environmental requirements - through the provision of world class research programmes and practical on-farm tools and services
• Helping promote the positive perception of dairy farming with the general public.
• The development of DairyCo activities towards a self-sustaining model.

DairyCo is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre.  This provides an annual income of around £6.5m.