Using foot lesion prevalence data in an investigation of lameness associated with Palm Kernel in a Dairy Blend

Abstract

An alleged lameness problem due to undigested palm kernel expeller was investigated in a herd of 431 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. A sample of the milking herd underwent foot examination and black, flint-like material was found in sole lesions. Similar material was identified in the blend of housed cattle and in the housing. While recorded lameness due to stone penetration was higher than expected in the foot trimmer records, most palm kernel fragments were either too small to puncture the sole or were found in pre-existing sole lesions (sole ulcers and white line lesions). Although lameness due to palm kernel could not be confirmed, acute onset lameness due to sole penetration at other times seemed likely to be due to the high incidence of lameness associated with sole penetrations.