Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Lameness Cases and Milk Production Losses Caused by Lameness Cases in Dairy Herds: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Lameness and claw disorders have still adverse effects on cow's health and milk production levels in dairy enterprises. The objectives of this investigation were revealing non-genetic factors affecting lameness cases (LC) and estimating 305 daily milk production losses (305 dMYL) due to LC in dairy herds. A total of fifteen study results reported in the scientific journals between 2002 and 2021 were analyzed. The percentage of the non-genetic factors affecting LC were noted as days in milk (DIM; 31.25%), parity (P; 25%), season (S; 9.37), calving season (CS; 9.37) and others (25%).To estimate the effect of herd size (HS) on 305 dMYL, three HS groups were divided (small: <= 500 cows, moderate: 501-1498 cows and big: >= 1499 cows). Thusly, 305 dMYL were calculated to be 630 kg, 377.2 kg and 493.57 kg, respectively. In country level, 305 dMYL were determined to be 494 kg, 408 kg and 398.66 kg for UK, US and other locations, respectively. Finally, the overall mean of 305 dMYL caused by LC was 419.66 kg/cow