Surveillance of hoof disorders in Korean dairy cattle and the correlation of farm condition risk factors to their prevalence

Abstract

Background

This study investigated the prevalence of hoof disorders (HDs) in intensive dairy farms in Korea and their association with farm conditions. A total of 877 cattle from 15 farms were examined for infectious, noninfectious, and non-lesion HDs at the animal, foot, and farm levels. Risk factors such as bedding depth, floor wetness, floor elevation transitions, and aggressive hoof treatment were evaluated. Correlation and clustering analyses were used to assess the relationship between HDs and farm conditions and classify farms based on disease prevalence and management conditions.

Results

Hoof disorders were identified in 31.5% of cattle, with hoof overgrowth (OG) (24.1%) being the most common. Infectious and noninfectious HDs were observed in 6.2% and 4.6% of cattle, respectively, with bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) (3.2%) and laminitis/corium damage (LCD) (3.1%) as the most prevalent. OG was more frequent in the front feet, while lesion HDs were more common in the rear feet. Correlation analysis showed that poor farm conditions, particularly aggressive hoof treatment and sharp floor elevation transitions, were linked to higher prevalence of BDD, LCD, and coronet swelling (CS). Hierarchical clustering classified farms into two main groups, distinguishing those with higher disease prevalence and poor conditions from those with lower prevalence and better management. This highlights differences in disease control across farms and the need for targeted interventions.

Conclusion

This study provides an updated assessment of HD prevalence in intensive dairy farms in Korea, the first in nearly two decades. The reported prevalence of OG, BDD, LCD, and CS underscores the need for improved hoof care and farm management. Farms with better conditions had lower disease prevalence, serving as benchmarks for improvement, while farms with poor conditions require targeted interventions. Enhancing hoof care practices and farm management strategies could reduce HD incidence and improve dairy cattle welfare.