Records of claw trimmings were analysed in seven organic and six
conventional Danish herds (a total of 974 cows). The housing systems represented
were tie stall systems, loose housing system with slatted floor (one organic
herd), and
deep litter systems (deep straw bedding). Occurrence of sole disorders
was analysed
separately for cows in first lactation and for cows in later lactations.
Three different
responses (acute haemorrhage, sole ulcer in one leg and sole ulcer in two
or more legs)
were analysed using three binomial logistic regression analyses for each
group. Herd
analysed as a fixed effect was a strong risk factor for all kinds of sole
ulcer. Lactation
stage was a risk factor for acute haemorrhage in both groups of cows, and
for sole
ulcer in first parity cows. In general, there was a strong positive association
between
the period 61–120 d post partum and the presence of sole disorders.
Breed was
associated with acute haemorrhage in cows in second and later parities,
and sole ulcer
in one leg only in first parity cows in an interaction with lactation stage
in both
conditions. Danish Friesian cows were strongly associated with sole disorder,
although the combination of lactation stage from 61 to 120 d post partum
in cows of
other dual purpose breeds was positively associated with the presence of
sole ulcer in
one leg only in first parity cows. The time of year for claw trimming was
a risk factor
for acute haemorrhage in first parity cows, with the period from December
to
January most strongly associated with acute haemorrhage. Previous disease
treatment was a risk factor for sole ulcer in two or more legs in second
and later
parities. Udder related disorders and disorders other than reproductive
problems
were positively associated with the occurrence of sole ulcer. Body weight
at calving
was associated with acute haemorrhage in cows in second and subsequent
parities.
Body weight lower than the mean herd level by >50 kg was negatively
associated
with acute haemorrhage.