Animal Health Ireland Initiates Sound Cow Innovation Programme
Sourse: dairynews.today
Animal Health Ireland (AHI) introduces a collaborative programme to address lameness in dairy cows through preventative measures and tailored management strategies.
Animal Health Ireland (AHI) is launching the Sound Cow Innovation Programme (SCIP), a comprehensive initiative focused on improving lameness management in Irish dairy farms. This collaborative endeavour, involving AHI, Teagasc, University College Dublin (UCD), the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), and other experts, aims to equip farmers with science-based support to tackle the prevalent welfare issue of lameness. SCIP will emphasize a preventative approach, encouraging farmers to perform monthly mobility scoring using digital tools for better tracking and early intervention.
A key component of the programme involves partnerships between farmers, trained veterinarians, and hoof trimmers to devise customized lameness management plans. These plans may include adjustments in trimming routines, housing, hygiene, and treatment protocols. SCIP also promises to offer training and advisory support, urging farmers to make gradual, practical improvements leading to healthier hooves, reduced economic losses, and decreased antibiotic usage.
The official launch of SCIP is scheduled for July 2 at the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day in Fermoy, Co. Cork. With lameness often resulting from conditions like white line disease and digital dermatitis due to various environmental and management factors, this initiative promises a significant step forward in dairy herd welfare.
A key component of the programme involves partnerships between farmers, trained veterinarians, and hoof trimmers to devise customized lameness management plans. These plans may include adjustments in trimming routines, housing, hygiene, and treatment protocols. SCIP also promises to offer training and advisory support, urging farmers to make gradual, practical improvements leading to healthier hooves, reduced economic losses, and decreased antibiotic usage.
The official launch of SCIP is scheduled for July 2 at the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day in Fermoy, Co. Cork. With lameness often resulting from conditions like white line disease and digital dermatitis due to various environmental and management factors, this initiative promises a significant step forward in dairy herd welfare.
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