Program Inputs
Initial Page
| Dairy name | Enter the name of the dairy |
| Group name | Enter a common group name or code used on the dairy. If more than one group is entered, subsequent group names may be entered after completing the milk yield for the previous group or by using the tab key or mouse. |
| Group Size | Total number of animals residing in the group or pen. This number may exceed the number of animals evaluated in the group. |
| Milk Production lb/day | Enter the average daily milk yield for each group of cows.
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| Date | Should reflect the date of herd evaluation. The date can be changed to any desired date. |
| User Name | This should reflect the name of the person conducting the locomotion evaluation. The user name will be reported on the scoring report as the evaluator. |
Locomotion Scoring Page
| Group Name | Select the group to be locomotion scored by using the drop-down arrow to the right of the name. |
| Add/Remove | Clicking or tapping these buttons with the stylus will increase the number of animals receiving the respective locomotion score. The evaluator may score as many cows as desired up to the number of animals previously entered in Group Size. Once a group of cows have been evaluated the user should select the next Group Name in the drop-down box or select the Next button to proceed. |
| Viewing Cows by Score | Clicking or tapping on the central portion of the screen over the locomotion description will open a screen showing cows for each respective locomotion score, i.e. Flat – Flat will show the #1 cow. Once this option is selected the user may then view cows both standing and walking. Selecting the next or back button will move to the next higher or lower locomotion score. Closing will return the user to the locomotion scoring screen. Locomotion scores based on research by Sprecher et al., 1997. Theriogenology 47:1178-1187. |
Cost of Lameness Page
| Milk Price, ($/CWT) | Enter current milk price corresponding to the date of locomotion evaluation. |
| Avg. Cost of Dairy Replacements, $/head | Enter the cost of dairy replacement heifers or cows as they enter the milking herd |
| Avg. Cull Cow Price, $/head | Enter the current cull cow dollar value on a per head basis. |
| Cost Per Day Open, $/day | Enter the average dollar value given for each additional day a cow remains non-pregnant past approximately 150 days in milk. |
| Treatment Cost Per Case, $ | This value should reflect the average cost of treating a cow for lameness. This cost may include corrective trimming, blocking, wrapping and veterinary fees. A default value of $13 will automatically appear and is based on research at Cornell University by Chuck Guard, DVM. |
| Additional labor ($/hour) | Input the current cost of labor per hour for employees involved in lame cow treatment. A default value of $10 will automatically appear and is based on research at Cornell University by Chuck Guard, DVM with respect to the average amount of time involved in treating lame cows. |
Results
Economics adapted from P. H. Robinson, Ph.D., Dept. of Animal Science, UC Davis.
| Group Name | Corresponds to Group Names input on the initial input screen. Values for each group may be viewed by selecting groups from the drop-down arrow at the right of the Group Name. Selecting the Herd designation in the Group Name will present the average Lost Revenue Due to Lameness for all groups of cows evaluated. |
| Average Locomotion Score | Average locomotion score for each group. When Herd is selected in the Group Name this value represents an average locomotion score for all groups of cows evaluated. Locomotion scores based on research by Sprecher et al., 1997. Theriogenology 47:1178-1187. |
| Milk Loss (lbs/cow/day) | Estimated average pounds of milk production lost due to lameness. Losses based on research by P. H. Robinson, Ph.D., Dept. of Animal Science, UC, Davis. Average milk production losses based on cows with locomotion scores as follows:
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| Total Milk Loss (lbs/group/day) | Equals the average milk loss (lbs/cow/day) times the number of cows per group. |
| Income Loss ($/group/day) | Average daily milk loss (lb/group/day) divided by 100 X milk price ($/CWT). |
| Annual Group Income Loss | Lost revenue due to reduced milk yield as a result of lameness, $/day/group X 365. |