Lameness is the biggest animal welfare issue on Irish dairy farms, according to Teagasc’s Dr Laura Boyle.

She told farmers at a Roches Feeds event in Limerick that herding by mechanical means such as quads exacerbated lameness as it forced cattle to move too fast.

While advocating the use of a footbath, she said it was a “myth” that it hardened hooves. Dr Boyle pointed out that consumers were growing concerned over calf/cow separation at birth.

“Consumers who are surveyed in various countries believe that that is unnatural,” she said and highlighted negative online reports of dairy calf treatment and how that influenced consumer choices.