EIP Project Database

Find EIP-AGRI projects in Germany

You can find projects by searching for:

  • "Suchbegriff" = Search item, like "pig", "animal welfare" or "climate" ...
  • "Bundesland" = Federal states in Germany, you can also have a look on the map on the bottom of this page
  • "Projektstatus" - "laufend" oder "abgeschlossen" = ongoing or completed status
  • "Schlüsselwörter" = key words
  • "Starttermin" = project start

Claw Condition Score – naturally fat padded

Authority

Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz

Federal State

Lower Saxony and Bremen

Contact

Calenberger Straße 2
30169 Hannover

Website: External link to the authority

Project Title

Claw Condition Score – naturally fat padded

Project description

Claw and limb problems are among the most common causes of losses in dairy farming. Besides premature animal losses as a result of claw and limb problems, lameness of cows present a major problem in dairy herds. But how can the farmer himself recognize problems in the health status of his herd? So far, the method of lameness scoring has been available to him. During lameness scoring lame cows will be detected and treated medically. However, this method will only work when the cow already expresses pain and suffering. Therefore, the aim of this EIP project is to develop a management approach which, unlike lameness scoring, serves to prevent claw problems. Therefore, the established body condition scoring (assessment of body fat reserves) will be extended by the unit claw condition score (assessment of fat inside the claws). Combining these two approaches will serve as an early warning system and can provide crucial information to farmers, veterinarians and hoof care specialists.

Results focusing on practiceorientation

When superimposing the five analyses (CCS, BCS, weight, back fat thickness, metabolic parameters), statements can be made on how the fat body thickness develops depending on the respective life phase and the lactation stage of the cow (heifer, first calving, high lactation, low lactation, dry standing, 2nd calving, etc.) as well as in relation to the metabolic situation. In addition, all claw data records (according to ICAR, 2015) are always documented during the claw care measures in preparation for the measurement. From this, generally valid derivations for the assessment of hoof health are to be made, which in turn serve as management aids for the farmer, hoof carer and veterinarian. In addition, long-term prophylaxis recommendations can be derived.

 

Key words

  • Animal husbandry
  • Pest/disease control
  • animal welfare

Main funding source

Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013)

OG contact information

Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen; LBZ Echem
Zur Bleeke 6
21379 Echem

Phone: 04139/698111

Email: martina.wojahn@lwk-niedersachsen.de

Type of OG partners

  • Farmer
  • Advisor
  • Researcher

Begin of project

2020

Project status

completed

Total budget applied for in EUR

497,160

Link 1

project website of EIP Lower Saxony

NUTS3 CODE

DE935

To top