Most studies suggest a loss of milk production due to lameness of the order of ~ 3lb milk per cow per day or 900lb per lactation, but losses due to foot rot and sole ulcers are most severe (~2,000 lb), while losses due to digital dermatitis can be much less severe (0lb)
Effect on fertility ranges from 0 to 50 days extra from calving to conception depending on severity
Culling risk is increased from 0 to 4 fold greater depending on severity
Direct costs relate to the time and materials used for treating individual cows eg. blocks and wraps
Individual estimates for a case of lameness can be as much as $500 per case, while less severe cases can be $100 or less per case
Problems with Lameness Economics
Cows that become lame tend to be higher milk producers than cows that do not
When we compare lost milk production in lame cows to non-lame cows we tend to UNDERESTIMATE the true losses (ideally we should compare the lame cow to the same cow that did not get lame!)
We don’t keep good records of INCIDENCE on farm, therefore it is difficult to use the cost of a case of lameness at a herd level
In herds that control lameness, milk production increases at a herd level frequently exceed 2,000lb per cow per lactation!