When thinking about the economics of cow comfort, we must address a combination of factors. A series of 2019 Canadian studies showed the impact of comfort on a dairy producer’s wallet. We know that poor cow comfort is a primary driver of lameness and hoof lesions. It goes without saying that there is a substantial economic loss resulting from lameness related to loss of milk production, increased risk of death, of culling, of reproduction issues, treatment cost etc. The more cases of lameness, the more severe they are and the longer they last, then the higher the cost.
Laura Solano, DVM., Ph. D.
