Economic Importance of Claw Health Problems in Ethiopian Dairy Cows: Causes and Methods of Improvement
Amanuel Bekuma,
Tekalign Tadesse,
Hirpha Ketema
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 4, December 2018
Pages:
56-60
Received:
26 December 2018
Accepted:
15 January 2019
Published:
20 February 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.eco.20180704.11
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Abstract: Even though a claw health problem is underestimated by many dairy producers in Ethiopia, it is widely regarded as one of the major productivity, health and welfare issues for dairy cows. Its negative impacts are many; decreased milk yield, lowered reproductive performance, increased involuntary cull rates, discarded milk, and the additional labor costs to manage these cows accounts for the largest monetary loses. Nutrition and feeding, housing and environment, concurrent disease, genetic influences, and management factors are all predispose a cow to claw health problems. Laminitis, claw disease, digital dermatitis, and foot rot are the most frequent causes of claw health problems. Since claw health problems have substantial economic loses to dairy producers, it is important to alleviate its negative impacts. Therefore, proper hoof trimming, providing appropriate nutrition, improving housing and environment, good management practices and awareness creation are among the best improvement strategies of claw health problems in dairy cows in Ethiopia.
Abstract: Even though a claw health problem is underestimated by many dairy producers in Ethiopia, it is widely regarded as one of the major productivity, health and welfare issues for dairy cows. Its negative impacts are many; decreased milk yield, lowered reproductive performance, increased involuntary cull rates, discarded milk, and the additional labor c...
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