Organic Farms Have Fewer Lame Cows

"A Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) study has shown that the incidence of lameness is lower on organic dairy farms compared to non-organic farms.

The lower incidence was associated with longer periods that the cows spent at grass and the higher age at which they first calve. The levels of hock lesions were also lower on organic farms.

The three-year study, sponsored by Defra at a cost of £300,000, compared 40 organic farms and 40 non-organic farms across Great Britain and assessed lameness, mastitis, ketosis, somatic cell counts, fertility and cow behaviour. Other than foot and leg health, there was little difference between the health and welfare of Holstein Friesian dairy cows on organic and non-organic dairy farms."

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