An evaluation form to aid dairy producers to systematically assess cows prior to culling

The objective of this prospective observational research project was to have dairy producers use and assess the utility of a cull cow evaluation form.

Cull dairy cows.

Veterinarians were recruited to enrol a purposively selected group of dairy producers into a project to evaluate a cull cow evaluation form. Producers were provided with evaluation forms and asked to complete a form for every cow they culled from their herd from January to June 2017, inclusive.

A total of 44 producers used the form to record information on 323 cows prior to transport.

Despite the completion of 323 forms, only ~1/3 were completed fully, with compliance highest for body condition score, lameness, and temperature recordings (> 90% of forms). A cull cow evaluation form may improve the thoroughness and consistency of dairy producer assessment of cull dairy cows for fitness for transport.