Klövhälsa registrerad vid rutinmässig verkning i lösdrift eller uppbundna system med ekologisk eller konventionell mjölkproduktion
KRAV-certified organic dairy herds generally have a lower milk yield than conventional dairy herds. A high-level of milk yield requires a feeding regime with high amounts of concentrates, a factor known to contribute to the development of claw lesions (Bergsten, C. 2003). The aim of this study was to compare claw health between organic and conventional dairy herds in free and tie stall systems. The number of herds from different domestic animal health associations was chosen in proportion to the association´s total portion of Swedish dairy producing herds of each type, respectively. Data, from Swedish Dairy Association (Svensk Mjölk) database on claw health status retrieved from recordings at routine claw trimmings from the control years 2005-2006, regarding the prevalence of claws without lesions, heel horn erosions, sole haemorrhages and sole ulcers was used in the statistical analysis.
Although not significant, it seems like KRAV-certified dairy herds in loose housing systems generally had a better claw health with a greater proportion of claws without lesions compared to conventional herds (67,1 % versus 55,7 %). They also had fewer records of heel horn erosions (11,6 % versus 22,8 %), of sole haemorrhages (21,3 % versus 24,2 %) and of sole ulcers (3,0 versus 5,6 %). In the observed tie stalls the situation was the opposite: conventional dairy herds had throughout, amongst both first calf heifers and multiparous cows, a higher prevalence of claws without lesions (69,5 % versus 49,7 %, P