Lameness: Investigation, Prevention and Treatment
Two separate workshops running on consecutive days allowing veterinarians to select the best CPD for their needs.
Lameness is a significant source of pain and discomfort in cattle, negatively affecting production and reproduction. Despite being a common health issue in dairy and beef cattle, there is much to learn about how to investigate, how to prevent and how best to treat lameness on-farm.
These two workshops combined cover lameness risk factors and how to assess them, how to support your farmers in reducing lameness through prevention, and if required, how to treat it safely and effectively.
Lameness: Investigation and Prevention
Come along to this 1-day workshop and learn about the risk factors of lameness in New Zealand dairy cows, how to assess them on-farm and how to better support your farmers to improve cow management to reduce lameness prevalence through prevention.
Date and location
Tuesday 25 November 2025, Waikato
Audience
Veterinarians wanting to perform lameness investigations on-farm. Restricted to 12.
Format
Classroom (2hr) and on-farm.
Topics
- The basics of dairy cow lameness and what we see in NZ
- Risk factors of lameness in NZ
- How to conduct a lameness investigation, including:
- Observing cow flow and herd management (cow behaviour)
- Assessing infrastructure (tracks, shed, lameness facilities and equipment)
- Communicating with farmers to get meaningful change
Skills gained
- A better understanding of lameness in NZ and the associated risk factors
- Conduct an effective lameness investigation
- Produce and deliver a report focused on short- and long-term change recommendations
- Knowledge of how to work with farmers to achieve change
Tutor
Hanneke Officer-van Kooten
Cost
- NZVA Member: $895
- NZVA Non-member: $1345
Lameness: Treatment
Are you a recent grad who wants to get better at treating lame cows? Or maybe you just need a refresher. Come along and join this 1-day workshop on safe and effective treatment of lame cows.
Date and location
Wednesday 26 November 2025, Rotorua
Audience
Veterinarians wanting to perform lameness treatment on-farm. Restricted to 10.
Format
Classroom (1hr) and on-farm.
Topics
- The latest science on early detection and prompt effective treatment (EDPET)
- How to treat lame cows promptly and effectively
- How vets and techs can practically support farmers in the treatment of lame cows to reduce lameness on-farm
Skills gained
- Succinctly outline EDPET and why it matters
- A safer and more effective way to treat lame cows:
- How to safely restrain cows
- Having the right tools for the job
- Safe and effective use of a knife and grinder
- Hoof block application that lasts the distance
Tutor
Mark Anderson
Cost
- NZVA Member: $1095
- NZVA Non-member: $1645
Contact
Shannon Leader
Events Manager
vetlearn@vets.org.nz