In days past, before we learned the principles of good hoof care, we would see older, mature dairy cows with overgrown corkscrewed outer claws on their rear feet.

As we move past tail docking, down cows and the handling of dairy cattle on our farms, there are a number of other welfare concerns emerging for us to address in the near future. These issues are voiced by consumers through social media, open discussion with food marketers and are often amplified by animal activism groups.

In 2010, we had a vision to create an online resource for dairy producers that assisted with the construction of facilities designed to optimize the well-being of their dairy cattle.

We are lucky to have many fine hoof trimmers in the U.S. who do an outstanding job for their clients. Unfortunately, because the business of trimming is largely unregulated, there are trimmers who do not do a good job trimming our cows’ feet.

Proponents of robotic or automated milking systems expound the many advantages such systems have, both for the lifestyle of the cow and for the lifestyle of the dairy producer.

Freedom stalls, green stalls, Michigans, dog bones, wide loops, narrow loops – there is seemingly an endless list of different ideas for freestall divider designs that dairy producers have to sort through when making a building choice.

Numerous surveys have identified lower lameness prevalence in freestall facilities using deep, loose-bedded stall surfaces compared to mat-bedded or mattress-bedded facilities. The difference does not appear to be due to any great difference in management between the two types of facilities impacting the rate of new lameness case development.

People expect cows to graze. Pastoral scenes of cows at pasture are used by many marketing groups to sell milk products. Yet the reality of our dairy industry in North America and many other parts of the globe is very different, with a shift toward larger herds, housing and more intensive management.