Effects of Lameness on Milk Yield of Holstein Friesian Cattle on a Dairy Farm in Niger State of Nigeria

Lameness is a major economic and animal welfare problem facing most dairy herds in Nigeria. Clinical lameness is of concern because of its high prevalence, association with pain, and other diseases and because of the attributed economic losses. This study reports lameness in 17 pedigree Holstein Friesians over a period of four months, during which daily milk yield and locomotion score were taken. The results showed that lameness significantly reduced milk yield (P < 0.05). It was concluded that lameness has a significant negative impact on milk production and this findings lends credence to the importance of early identification and diagnosis of lameness and prompt intervention to prevent severe clinical lameness.