An evaluation form to aid dairy producers to systematically assess cows prior to culling.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this prospective observational research project was to have dairy producers use and assess the utility of a cull cow evaluation form. ANIMALS: Cull dairy cows. PROCEDURE: Veterinarians were recruited to enrol a purposively selected group of dairy producers into a project to evaluate a cull cow evaluation form. Producers were provided with evaluation forms and asked to complete a form for every cow they culled from their herd from January to June 2017, inclusive. RESULTS: A total of 44 producers used the form to record information on 323 cows prior to transport. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite the completion of 323 forms, only ~1/3 were completed fully, with compliance highest for body condition score, lameness, and temperature recordings (> 90% of forms). A cull cow evaluation form may improve the thoroughness and consistency of dairy producer assessment of cull dairy cows for fitness for transport.