Early-life cow-level risk factors for sole ulcers in primiparous dairy cows

Abstract

Graphical Abstract Summary: Previous cases of sole ulcers increase the risk of new cases, and prevention of sole ulcers during the first lactation may, therefore, have long-term effects. This study evaluated early-life risk factors (associated with the period before first calving) for sole ulcers at the first hoof trimming in the first lactation. Analysis of data from 466,113 primiparous Danish dairy cows from 2020 to 2022 showed that 1.95% of cows had sole ulcers at the first hoof trimming in the first lactation. Results from a logistic regression model showed that the odds of sole ulcers were approximately twice as high in cows calving for the first time among the oldest 25% within a breed, compared with cows calving among the youngest 25%. Focus on early-life risk factors for sole ulcers may influence the occurrence of sole ulcers throughout the life of cows.