Fractures

The idea that dairy cattle housed in well-designed and comfortable environments produce more milk and have longer, healthier, and more productive lives has been well supported by formal research studies as well as by the personal observations of experienced dairy personnel (1,2). Known as cow comfort, this concept includes a wide range of issues and measures aimed at improving animals ’ welfare and dairy businesses (3). Environment As indicated in the diagram below, the primary focus of many comfort-enhancing efforts is improvements to the animals ’ environment. Improving a cow’s environment is often the first step to-wards avoiding future problems that cause painful conditions. For example, decreasing the time cattle spend in a holding pen or using rubber mats to cushion pens or walkways may decrease the incidence of lameness. However, even the most comfortable environment will not directly provide relief for an animal or group of animals experiencing the potentially painful conditions listed below. Pain Management Given that these represent commonly encountered con-ditions have great economic impact for the dairy farmers, it becomes apparent that what’s missing in discussions about cow comfort is pain management, which encompasses the interventions used to understand and ease pain, and alleviate its cause if possible