2001 Volume 54 Issue 4 Pages 269-271
Twenty-four Holstein cows housed in cubicles on one farm and 38 cows housed in three-tie stall on another were divided into 2 groups (P and NP) according to matching parity and calving month. The hoofs of the cows in group P were trimmed from 1 to 2 months before and from 4 to 5 months after calving. The hooves of the cows in group NP went untrimmed. Per-lactation milk production of the two groups was compared for animals accommodated in both housing systems. Among animals housed in cubicles, foot disease appeared in two animals in each group. Otherwise no foot diseases developed throughout the experimental period. Although animals in group P produced more milk than those in group NP (cubicle-housed P: 6, 935 and NP: 6, 456 kg; tiestall housed P: 10, 331 and NP: 10, 095 kg), the differences were not significant. Perhaps the comfort and psychological impact of hoof trimming had no effect on milk production because management conditions at both farms were good.
