August 2024

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this prospective observational research project was to have dairy producers use and assess the utility of a cull cow evaluation form.

Animals: Cull dairy cows.

Procedure: Veterinarians were recruited to enrol a purposively selected group of dairy producers into a project to evaluate a cull cow evaluation form. Producers were provided with evaluation forms and asked to complete a form for every cow they culled from their herd from January to June 2017, inclusive.

Results: A total of 44 producers used the form to record information on 323 cows prior to transport.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Despite the completion of 323 forms, only ~1/3 were completed fully, with compliance highest for body condition score, lameness, and temperature recordings (> 90% of forms). A cull cow evaluation form may improve the thoroughness and consistency of dairy producer assessment of cull dairy cows for fitness for transport.

Todd F Duffield, Allison K G Moorman, M Ann Godkin, David F Kelton, Jeffrey Rau, Derek B Haley
PMID: 39091471 PMCID: PMC11265832 (available on 2024-11-01)
Can Vet J. 2024 Aug;65(8):802-807.