Identifying Lameness: Step-Up™ App Easy-to-Use, Convenient Training Tool
By: Connie Larson, Ph.D., Ruminant RNS Manager North America, Zinpro Corporation Lameness in beef cattle is a multifactorial problem and one that is commonly underdiagnosed within the industry. Developing an awareness and understanding of lameness is critical, as lameness impairs the ability of cattle to move and gain access to water and feed. This in turn reduces their wellbeing, production and performance. Seeing a need for a systematic approach to identify and manage lameness in beef cattle, Zinpro Corporation – in conjunction with the Beef Cattle Institute and Kansas State University – developed the Step-Up™ Lameness Management Program. A cornerstone of the Step-Up program is a four-point locomotion scoring system specifically developed for beef cattle. Locomotion scoring is based on the observation of cattle walking (gait), with emphasis on head bob and stride length. The system uses a simple 0 to 3 scale to assess the severity of lameness in beef cattle (0 = normal; 1 = mild lameness; 2 = moderate lameness; 3 = severe lameness). The Step-Up locomotion scoring system was created to make lameness identification a simple process for beef producers. It is designed to help producers track changes in lameness prevalence within their operation. With the release of the Step-Up App, it is now easier than ever for producers to learn to locomotion score growing and finishing feedlot cattle. Launched in February, the app is designed for tablet devices and is available for free through the App Store and Google Play. The Step-Up App provides convenient access to information on locomotion scoring,
common causes of lameness in beef cattle, trace mineral nutrition and additional training materials. Through the app, producers can watch videos of growing and finishing cattle to determine what lameness looks like and how to utilize locomotion scoring in their herd. The app also features the industry’s first diagnostic tool that provides a systematic, easy-to-use approach for proper identification and management of the most common causes of lameness in beef cattle. Producers can simply flip through the question and answer section of the tool to determine possible causes of lameness in an animal that is exhibiting some degree of change in locomotion. Information regarding the essential role that trace mineral nutrition plays in decreasing cattle lameness is also included, along with access to additional training materials. Since its inception more than a year ago, the Step-Up Management Program has helped to elevate the importance of beef cattle lameness management within the industry. The focus of the Step-Up program is on education, especially in areas where lameness is not commonly considered to be prevalent. It provides resource materials focused on lameness scoring and lesion identification, as well as industry-leading lameness prevention, management and treatment protocols. This program helps cattle producers, managers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and others identify, diagnose and treat lameness and in turn, helps beef operations decrease the prevalence of lameness among cattle. To learn more about locomotion scoring and lesion identification in beef cattle, download the new Step-Up App on the App Store or Google Play, contact your Zinpro representative or visit the Step-Up video library on zinpro.com.
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