Joris R Somers

Tirlán

The detection of reproductive tract disease (RTD) 3 wk postpartum is important because of its effect on subsequent reproductive outcomes. Numerous methods for the diagnosis of RTD are described, some of which are more practical and instantaneous in terms of diagnosis. Two of these methods involve identification of purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) a...

Background Although visual locomotion scoring is inexpensive and simplistic, it is also time consuming and subjective. Automated lameness detection methods have been developed to replace the visual locomotion scoring and aid in early and accurate detection. Several types of sensors are measuring traits such as activity, lying behavior or temperatur...

The cow-side diagnosis of reproductive tract disease (RTD) involves identifying the presence of purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and ultrasonographic endometritis (UE). The objectives of our study were to obtain prevalence estimates for RTD diagnosed by 2 methods (PVD and UE scoring) and to investigate the risk factors for increased probability of...

Herd-level risk factors related to the cow’s environment have been associated with lameness. Uncomfortable stall surface and inadequate depth of bedding as well as abrasive alley way surface are contributing factors to increased levels of lameness. Access to pasture has been found as having a beneficial effect on cows’ locomotion. However, dairy ca...

The aim of this study was to compare vaginal mucus scoring and ultrasonographic assessment of uterine content as predictors of future reproductive performance of dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows (n=493) from seven commercial dairy farms were enrolled in this study. All cows received one pre-breeding exam (PBE) between 21 to 38 days after parturit...

The effects of lameness on fertility have been documented frequently but few data are available from seasonally breeding, pasture-based herds (such as those used in Ireland) where cows are housed during the winter months but managed at pasture for the remainder of the year. This study determined the prevalence of lameness in a group of 786 cows in...

Little is known about foot lesions in dairy cattle in Ireland, managed under a pasture based system with housing during the winter and grazing for the rest of the year. Ten Irish dairy herds, with a lameness prevalence ranging from 9 to 17 % were locomotion scored routinely during the 2013 grazing season. Lame cows were foot trimmed and foot lesion...

Lameness is an important welfare issue for dairy cows (O'Callaghan and others 2003) and has significant economic implications (Hoffman and others 2012). The aetiology of lameness is multifactorial and the result of interactions between the environment, farm management, nutrition and genetics (Leonard and others 1998). Detailed research on risk fact...