Effects of sole ulcers and digital dermatitis lesions on dairy cows’ productivity and
longevity in Québec

  • Benjamin Fouquette, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montréal
  • André Desrochers, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montréal
  • Luc Des Côteaux, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montréal
  • Marianne Villettaz Robichaud, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montréal


Lameness and hoof lesions are one of the biggest challenges faced by dairy farmers. With 75% of Québec’s dairy farms having tie-stall installations and most hoof health studies done in free stall barns in North America, research results and recommendations are less applicable in Québec’s dairy operations. A hoof trimming data collection program has been running since 2015 with the participation of the Québec Hoof Trimmers Association.

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impacts of sole ulcers and digital dermatitis, two of the most common hoof lesions in Québec’s dairy farms, on cows’ milk production and longevity according to housing characteristics. The data collected includes trimming observations, such as hoof lesions, and farm characteristic. Twenty trained hoof trimmers participated in the on-farm data collection project using standardized lesions’ definitions and the Hoof Supervisor tm software. The individual cow data is combined with Lactanet milk recording data.

Based on a previous study, we hypothesize that sole ulcers in free stall barn will have a greater impact on milk yield thandigital dermatitis. Also, sole ulcers will cause a more negative impact on cows’ longevity than digital dermatitis and in free stall barn. Statistical analysis will be produced to validate these hypotheses.
This study will hopefully lead to more research exploring this important database. It will also lead to better awareness on the importance of preventing these hoof lesions in all types of installation to improve dairy cattle productivity and well-being.