Laura Solano

Beyond hooves: The human element in tackling lameness

A key element to reducing lameness on farms is the human interaction. By recognizing and addressing the needs and barriers faced by the hoof health team, farms may be able to better address lameness and impact animal welfare on a broader spectrum.

January 27, 2025

Demetrio Bautista Ortiz and Laura Solano

Lameness is an issue that impacts every part of the supply chain – not just the welfare and health of cows but also the farmers and their teams working to maintain herd productivity, as well as the dairy processors and retailers seeking to build trust in their brand.

What have we learned after 20 years of research into footbaths?

A look at 20 years of research on footbath design, management and effectiveness to control digital dermatitis, and what still remains to be known.

October 5, 2022

Laura Solano

We have been discussing the optimum use, management and design of footbaths for about 20 years, but what evidence do we have that footbaths are effective in controlling digital dermatitis (DD)?

The surprising relationship between lameness and hoof lesions

October 18, 2019

Makaela Douglas and Laura Solano

Lameness is a sign of pain resulting in an abnormal locomotion, gait or posture. It is a major economic, productivity and animal welfare issue in our industry. Lameness is commonly caused by hoof lesions, which are either infectious or non-infectious.

The surprising relationship between lameness and hoof lesions

May 31, 2019

Makaela Douglas and Laura Solano

Lameness is a sign of pain resulting in an abnormal locomotion, gait or posture. It is a major economic, productivity and animal welfare issue in our industry.

How to minimize the negative effects of automated alley scrapers on hoof health

July 18, 2018

Laura Solano

A list of risk factors for the most common infectious foot lesion, digital dermatitis (DD, also known as hairy heel warts, Mortellaro’s disease), includes multiple aspects related to the cow, the farm’s management and environment.

What are freestall farms with low lameness doing differently?

November 6, 2017

Laura Solano

In addition to being detrimental for cows’ longevity, reproductive performance and production, lameness is our dairy industry’s most visible animal welfare issue. We face increasing pressures from the public to ensure our cows are well cared for.

What are the freestall farms with low lameness doing differently?

September 7, 2017

Laura Solano

Lameness is our dairy industry’s most visible animal welfare issue as well as being detrimental for cows’ longevity, reproductive performance and productivity. In addition, the dairy industry is faced with increasing pressures from the public to ensure our cows are well cared for.

Evaluating topical treatments for digital dermatitis: Add a dose of skepticism

July 18, 2017

Laura Solano

Digital dermatitis (DD), known as hairy heel warts, strawberry foot rot, raspberry heel, Mortellaro’s disease and foot warts, has become the most common foot lesion on many dairy herds throughout North America. It seems there are as many prevention and treatment products for DD as there are names for the disease.

What we’ve learned about lying behavior in freestall barns

March 31, 2017

Laura Solano

The following summary is part of a Dairy Farmers of Canada-funded Dairy Research Cluster study examining dairy cow comfort, lameness and longevity. The study included data from 141 freestall farms in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. Lying behavior was automatically recorded on 5,135 cows using accelerometers over four days.

What lesions lead to lameness in Canada’s dairy cattle?

November 4, 2016

Laura Solano

Foot lesions in Alberta dairy cattle

Over the last several years, our team at University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has increased its research focus on lameness in both dairy and beef cattle.

Progressive Dairy

Progressive Dairy Canada

PD Canada en Francais

Progressive Cattle

Progressive Cattle Canada

Progressive Forage

Agproud Idaho

Home

Laura Solano

ARTICLES

Beyond hooves: The human element in tackling lameness

What have we learned after 20 years of research into footbaths?

The surprising relationship between lameness and hoof lesions

The surprising relationship between lameness and hoof lesions

How to minimize the negative effects of automated alley scrapers on hoof health

What are freestall farms with low lameness doing differently?

What are the freestall farms with low lameness doing differently?

Evaluating topical treatments for digital dermatitis: Add a dose of skepticism

What we’ve learned about lying behavior in freestall barns

What lesions lead to lameness in Canada’s dairy cattle?

Foot lesions in Alberta dairy cattle

Economic Update: HPAI returns to Texas, Utah

New World screwworm confirmed in southern Texas

FREE NEWSLETTERS

SUBSCRIBE to Leading Industry Magazines

I'm looking for ________

[Podcast] What it takes to raise great heifers and build a winning team culture with Jason Shamburg and Nic Schoenberger