Neck and Other Injuries 

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Dairy Well: neck and other injury scoring 

Which animals to assess:

• Lactating cows
• Dry cows
• Heifers
• Calves on milk
• Hospital

The number of animals assessed in each group is determined by the sample size calculator.

When to assess:

• Score injuries while cows are being milked
• If evaluating the highest producing, multiparous cows (same that were scored for lameness), score after milking while in lock-ups or tie stalls​

How to assess:

Examine the sides, back, legs and necks of cattle, scoring the worst lesion on each animal. Broken tails are tracked separately.

​Goal:

<2% of cows should have severe neck injuries or severe injuries on any other part of their body (score 3)

Score 1 - Normal​

• Minimal complete hair loss 
  • < 1" in length or width 
  • < 25 mm
  • < size of a quarter
• No swelling

Score 2 - Moderate

• Complete hair loss > 25mm (1") in length or width
  • Approximately the size of a quarter
• No open wounds/abrasions (ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab)
• OR: Swelling ≤ 25mm (1") in length, width, or height

Score 3 - Severe

• Wounds or abrasions as evidenced by any ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab; can be superficial, partial, or full thicknes
• OR: Swelling > 25mm (1") in length, width, or height​

Take repeatability test

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National Dairy Farm Program: neck and other injury scoring

The FARM Program currently does not require a benchmark for body abrasions, but recommends that producers maintain vigilance and monitor cows for body injuries.

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