Evaluating alternatives to locomotion scoring for detecting Lameness in pasture-based dairy cattle in New Zealand: In-parlour scoring
Loading...
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Earlier detection followed by efficient treatment can reduce the impact of lameness. Cur-
rently, locomotion scoring (LS) is the most widely used method of early detection but has significant
limitations in pasture-based cattle and is not commonly used routinely in New Zealand. Scoring
in the milking parlour may be more achievable, so this study compared an in-parlour scoring (IPS)
technique with LS in pasture-based dairy cows. For nine months on two dairy farms, whole herd LS
(4-point 0–3 scale) was followed 24 h later by IPS, with cows being milked. Observed for shifting
weight, abnormal weight distribution, swollen heel or hock joint, and overgrown hoof. Every third
cow was scored. Sensitivity and specificity of individual IPS indicators and one or more, two or more
or three positive indicators for detecting cows with locomotion scores ≥ 2 were calculated. Using a
threshold of two or more positive indicators were optimal (sensitivity > 92% and specificity > 98%).
Utilising the IPS indicators, a decision tree machine learning procedure classified cows with loco-
motion score class ≥ 2 with a true positive rate of 75% and a false positive rate of 0.2%. IPS has the
potential to be an alternative to LS on pasture-based dairy farms.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
lameness, locomotion scoring, in-parlour scoring, decision tree, machine learning, pasture- based system, dairy cows