Lameness is the biggest animal welfare issue on Irish dairy farms, according to Teagasc’s Dr Laura Boyle.
She told farmers at a Roches Feeds event in Limerick that herding by mechanical means such as quads exacerbated lameness as it forced cattle to move too fast.
While advocating the use of a footbath, she said it was a “myth” that it hardened hooves. Dr Boyle pointed out that consumers were growing concerned over calf/cow separation at birth.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Consumers who are surveyed in various countries believe that that is unnatural,” she said and highlighted negative online reports of dairy calf treatment and how that influenced consumer choices.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Lameness is the biggest animal welfare issue on Irish dairy farms, according to Teagasc’s Dr Laura Boyle.
She told farmers at a Roches Feeds event in Limerick that herding by mechanical means such as quads exacerbated lameness as it forced cattle to move too fast.
While advocating the use of a footbath, she said it was a “myth” that it hardened hooves. Dr Boyle pointed out that consumers were growing concerned over calf/cow separation at birth.
“Consumers who are surveyed in various countries believe that that is unnatural,” she said and highlighted negative online reports of dairy calf treatment and how that influenced consumer choices.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS