Training Videos
Animal observations are an important tool in managing the care of dairy animals. The National Dairy FARM Program scores four areas to evaluate dairy animal care on the farm - body condition, hygiene, hock lesions, and locomotion. The videos provided explain the scoring systems used in the FARM program.
How to Body Condition Score a Dairy Cow
How to Score Dairy Animal Hygiene
How to Score Hock Lesions on Dairy Cows
How to Locomotion Score a Dairy Cow
How to Body Condition Score a Dairy Cow
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Body condition scoring (BCS) for dairy cattle is an important management tool for optimizing milk production and reproductive efficiency while reducing the incidence of metabolic and other diseases. This video explains the BCS used in the National Dairy FARM program. |
How to Score Dairy Animal Hygiene
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Proper sanitation and waste management keep animals dry, and clean of manure and provide the with comfortable, healthful surroundings. This video explains the hygiene scoring system utilized by the National Dairy FARM Program. |
How to Score Hock Lesions on Dairy Cows
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Hock lesions (swelling, abrasion, and even ulceration) are an important indication of inadequate bedding and lack of animal comfort. This video shows how the National Dairy FARM Program scores hock lesions. The FARM program is a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that provides consistency and uniformity to best practices in animal care and quality assurance in the dairy industry. |
How to Locomotion Score a Dairy Cow
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Foot care is important to the well-being of all cows. Lameness will interfere with movement to the milking, feeding, and watering areas, limit the exhibition of estrus, and influence general health. This video shows how the National Dairy FARM Program scores lameness in dairy cows. The FARM program is a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that provides consistency and uniformity to best practices in animal care and quality assurance in the dairy industry. |