ID cards for tracking lame cows Recording biometric data on the individual cow and herd is now possible using a handheld PC recording system, developed as part of the LAMECOW project. Health © Shutterstock Lameness causes the industry time and money. A lame cow means treatment costs, reduced fertility and an increased chance of the cow being culled due to lameness, amongst other problems. Farmers could benefit from new software developed to enable the details on a cow's health to be recorded and analysed quickly and efficiently. It allows the link to be made between the data concerning health characteristics and a registration number, date of birth, pedigree and milk yield data. This would enable the farmer to be vigilant and to spot a lame cow before it becomes serious. The necessary information is recorded whilst the animals claw is being trimmed i.e. claw condition, lesions, disease and treatments. As information is administered it is recorded on a pocket PC. The software program can be used on a handheld pocket PC on which the data is recorded. This portability feature allows for the collection of data at different geographical locations. Once the information has been gathered there are various options for analysis available to the user. The device can be linked via the internet to download animal bio-data, which can automatically update the information for the cows already stored on the pocket PC. It is also possible to transmit the data to a central server for data analysis in conjunction with other animal bio-data and performance records. The farmer has the opportunity to access data on each of his/her animals and can be given a printed version of the diagnosis made for each cow during the trimming session. The software allows for a total of 17 different claw conditions to be recorded. In conjunction with the overall project, the software could provide a basis for the sustainable reduction in the incidence of lameness and contribute to the improvement of animal health and welfare.
