Evaluation of ‘In-Parlour Scoring’ (IPS) to Detect Lameness in Dairy Cows during Milking

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of 'In-Parlour Scoring' (IPS) as an alternative to locomotion scoring in herringbone, side-by-side, and tandem milking parlours in Austria. Between January and May 2023, a total of 990 observations were conducted on 495 cows across eleven Austrian dairy farms by two investigators working simultaneously but independently of each other. The observation criteria included shifting weight, claw conformation, and obvious disorders of the distal limb. Locomotion scoring was conducted on all cows within 24 h of assessment in the milking parlour using a scale of 1 to 5 (LCS 1: not lame; LCS 5: severely lame). Functional hoof trimming was performed within ten days after IPS. The following indicators were identified as useful for predicting lameness (LCS ≥ 3): shifting weight, abnormal weight distribution, swollen heel, hock joint or interdigital space, skin lesion on the lateral hock, claw position score, digital dermatitis lesions, short dorsal claw wall, and hyperextension of one claw. The reliability of the individual indicators for intra- and inter-rater assessment exhibited considerable variation ((weighted) kappa values: -0.0020-0.9651 and -0.0037-1.0, respectively). The specificity and sensitivity for the prediction of lame cows were calculated to be ≥ 96% and ≤ 24%, respectively. It was demonstrated that a one-time IPS has limited suitability for lameness assessment on Austrian dairy farms with herringbone, side-by-side, and tandem milking parlours.