The Swiss Claw Health Project - an interim assessment after 5 years

Abstract

The Swiss Claw Health Project (SCHP) started on 1 January 2019 and will last a total of 8 years. The main goals of the SCHP are (a) digital recording of claw health data of cattle in Switzerland by 100 professional claw trimmers, (b) development of claw health programs, (c) improvement of cattle claw health in Switzerland, (d) development of breeding values for claw health and (e) reduction of antibiotic use to control claw health problems. Data was collected digitally by 45 hoof trimmers who had previously successfully completed the training program for diagnosis and digital documentation in accordance with the ICAR Claw Health Atlas. The national animal health database was further developed for data storage. Livestock farms with unfavorable claw health were offered an on farm analysis with subsequent annual support visits. A total of 1155 cattle owners joined the project by the end of the 5th project year. The claw health data of 149753 claw trimmings at cow-level was recorded, and 176 individual visits and analyses of farms with claw health issues were carried out. A health program for mechanical and metabolism-related claw disorders was developed and successfully established. Biosecurity measures during claw trimming were analyzed, and a brochure with recommendations for claw trimmers was developed. Risk factors for the occurrence of digital dermatitis in dairy herds were identified. The prevalence of alarm lesions (painful lesions) decreased significantly and continuously in the participating farms over the project years 2 to 4. The scientific project support proved to be extremely useful, as the progress of the project was continuously monitored, and new issues could be addressed promptly. Digitally recorded findings during herd hoof trimming are essential for monitoring and improving claw health. This description and critical assessment of the SKGP procedure can be used by other consortia planning a similar project.