Lameness caused by hoof lesions remains one of the most costly and persistent animal welfare issues on United States dairy farms, affecting cow health and productivity and farm profitability. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), CattleEye LTD, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Kinder Ground and CATTLEytics are investing $2 million in a FFAR Seeding Solutions grant to support innovative strategies for early lameness detection and prevention that improve long-term outcomes on U.S. dairy farms.
Hoof lesions are widespread, primarily because they are often difficult to detect until they reach more advanced stages, at which point treatment is less effective. Newly developed and chronic cases typically stem from different causes, yet most detection methods fail to distinguish between them. Many farm workers also struggle to recognize early signs of lameness and lack access to tailored training and resources.
Researchers led by Dr. Gerard Cramer, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, are combining advanced data analysis of farm records, hoof health history and genetic information with autonomous cameras that use images and artificial intelligence to track cow movements. They seek to better understand the impact, causes and detection of lameness and develop metrics that allow farms to breed cows less prone to it. Additionally, they are developing training programs, including hoof care courses and support networks, to provide farmers with effective tools and knowledge for transforming lameness management on dairy farms.
With the U.S. dairy industry supporting more than 3.2 million jobs and contributing almost $800 billion to the nation’s economy, the industry is a driving economic force. Yet, lameness prevalence ranges from 13-55% in U.S. dairy herds, and lameness costs the global dairy industry approximately $6 billion annually.
“By integrating advanced technologies with tools farmers can use on the ground, this research has the potential to deliver game-changing, scalable tools that create lasting benefits to the U.S. dairy industry and our nation’s bottom line,” said Dr. Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director.
It is increasingly clear that an integrated approach that focuses on prevention and early, effective treatment is required to address hoof lesions, Cramer said. “Autonomous cameras can catch early signs of lameness that often go unnoticed, allowing for faster treatment. But technology alone is not enough,” he explained. “By integrating artificial intelligence with hoof health records, genetics and on-farm practices, we are creating a more complete picture of lameness and a better understanding of how to work with farmers to prevent it.”
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.
