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Neck and Other Injuries 


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)
Picture
Score 1 - Normal​
  • Minimal complete hair loss 
    • < 1" in length or width 
    • < 25 mm
    • < size of a quarter
  • No swelling
Picture
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
Picture
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

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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