Lameness is the most costly of all endemic dairy cattle health disorders, and can cause damage to reputations, as well as welfare problems.
We probe foot health in this Vet Times Podcast, where vet specialist Owen Atkinson discusses the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s Healthy Feet Programme and how and why vets need to be at the heart of lameness team working on farm.
_______________
𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗧𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡, 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗗𝗖𝗛𝗣, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦
Owen worked in farm practice for more than 20 years before establishing Dairy Veterinary Consultancy in 2013. He now provides strategic health advice and training to ruminant and dairy agri-businesses, vet practices and dairy farmers throughout UK.
Awarded the RCVS Diploma in Cattle Health and Production in 2013, Owen is an RCVS-recognised specialist, a CowSignals master trainer and a Nuffield Scholar (2010). His interests include lameness; youngstock; building design; rumen health; and responsible use of medicines.
Owen’s mission is to improve the lives of cows and the people who care for them. He has written a Focus article on dairy cattle lameness, due to appear in a future Vet Times (Volume 53, Issue 5), and later online.