Risk factors and indicators of reduced welfare of grazing dairy cows from selected smallholder dairy farms in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe's smallholder dairying faces many challenges that affect the welfare of dairy cows; however, the status of this welfare has not yet been determined. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Midlands Province on 41 active smallholder dairy farms with 86 cows in winter and summer to determine the risk factors and indicators to impaired cow welfare. These objectives were achieved using farmer questionnaires and direct observations. Eleven percent of the observed cows were severely lame in summer while only 5% were severely lame in winter. Lameness was significantly associated with season, absence of shade, breed, and low dipping frequency; 58% of the cows had low body condition scores (BC < 3) and this low BC was associated with low frequency of protein (p = 0.002) and vitamin (p = 0.012) supplementation recorded in more than 52% of the farms visited. In winter, only 11% of the observed cows were heavily soiled (score 3), while in summer 64% of the cows were heavily soiled and this was associated with slurry accumulation in more than 80% of the observed cattle pens as well as the study season (p < 0.001). A quarter (26%) of the studied animals had visible teat lesions on the teat skin and this was associated with the type of lubricant used (p = 0.011). Only 34% of the cows allowed an approaching stockman to touch them and this was associated with shouting (p = 0.012) and whipping of cows (p = 0.002). The study concluded that welfare of dairy cows was poor in most of the smallholder dairy farms studied.

Review of guidelines for functional claw trimming and therapeutic approach to claw horn lesions in cattle

“…In a study by Moreira et al (2019), cow hygiene and longer hours spent in corrals were two risk factors for both lameness and digital dermatitis. Matore et al (2018) found that breed (Holstein-Friesian crosses), season (summer rainy season), lack of shade and low dipping frequency statistically significantly increased lameness prevalence in smallholder dairy farms in Zimbabwe. Genetic factors have a significant influence on foot and leg traits in dairy cattle (van Amstel and Shearer, 2006).…”

Locomotion Score and Postpartum Conception in Jersey Cows Raised under Hot–Humid Tropical Conditions: A Prospective Study

“…However, most of the studies on lameness and reproductive performance have been carried out on dairy breeds such as Holstein and Brown Swiss, with only some including a small proportion of Jerseys and crossbreeds in the sampled population [ 26 , 27 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Regarding extrinsic factors, humid and hot environments have been demonstrated to increase the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows [ 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 ] due to those conditions that can not only soften and damage hooves [ 42 ], but also trigger normal adaptive changes, such as an increase in total locomotor activity and a reduction in lying behaviour to minimise exposure to hot–humid surfaces [ 43 ]. Jerseys have been demonstrated to be much more successful in adapting to tropical conditions and their associated heat stress in comparison to other dairy breeds, such as Holstein [ 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”