Promoting farm advisor engagement and action toward the improvement of dairy cattle lameness

Abstract

Lameness represents a significant management challenge in the dairy industry worldwide. In addition to farmers, many advisors are involved in lameness management, including veterinarians, hoof trimmers, and nutritionists. These advisors support farmers through lameness prevention practices, treatments, and advice, but little is known about how advisors view others' roles and the extent to which they work together. This study used qualitative participatory methods to facilitate the formation of lameness advisory groups among 13 advisors (4 veterinarians, 5 hoof trimmers, and 4 nutritionists), with the aims of promoting advisors' engagement with one another and documenting their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of the research activities through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Participants shared predominantly positive views toward the project and voiced appreciation about the quality of discussions and the opportunity to connect and build relationships with other advisors. Participants reported improved communication with others via sharing reports and farm information, as well as increased confidence in reaching out to other advisors. Reported challenges included time constraints and discomfort in leading the lameness advisory group meetings. Difficulties were also found in bringing issues to farmers' attention when they might not align with the farmers' goals or priorities, as well as participants' questioning other advisors' knowledge and intentions. This study describes a promising avenue of facilitating advisor engagement, although more work is needed to determine whether such engagement translates to a reduction of lameness on farms.

The Perception of Emerging Cattle Farmers on Extension and Advisory Services in Improving the Welfare of Cattle in Sinthumule-Kutama Areas of Makhado Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…The primary focus is on the nuanced dynamics between farmers' self-assessment of their expertise in cattle welfare and their reliance on agricultural advisors and extension agents. Firstly, it highlights the farmers' acknowledgment of the importance of agricultural advisors in enhancing their comprehension of the complexities surrounding cattle welfare (Wynands et al, 2022). This underscores one of the main goals: emphasizing the value of external expertise in augmenting farmers' understanding and practices (Ogunyiola and Gardezi, 2022).…”

Hoof trimming: The steps to success

“…For veterinarians to become involved in assessing hoof trimming methods, it requires a working relationship with the farm's hoof trimmers, which can sometimes lead to conflicts. 14,15 The easiest approach to assessing hoof trimming is typically by addressing the following 2 questions: 1) do nonlame cows remain non-lame after hoof trimming, and 2) do lame cows show improvement within a reasonable time frame after trimming? Most lameness cases should improve immediately following hoof trimming, and most cases should have healed within 4-6 weeks.…”