How to avoid a broken tail in dairy cows

31-03-2023 | Health | Article

Broken tail is an indicator of poor welfare with up to 50% prevalence in dairy farms. However, most on-farm welfare programs do not include broken tails as an assessment measure. Photo: Canva

Broken tails typically do not involve fractures to vertebrae; however, they cause substantial pain and distress in dairy cattle, which must be avoided at all costs. Low-stress handling during routine management practices is essential for dairy cows’ welfare. Tail manipulation, including lifting and twisting, is one of the common handling methods used to prompt forward cattle movement or to get dairy cows to stand still depending on circumstances. However, improper twisting with excessive fo