Managing cow movement to reduce lameness risk

Best practice cow movement would involve the following actions:

1. Allow cows to move at their own pace and avoid pressuring them through the use of a dog or a quad bike.
2. Allow cows to exit parlour and go directly to paddock. Do not hold cows in yard post milking, if possible
3. Consider use of a Batt Latch (automatic or remote-controlled paddock exit gap opener)
4. If cows are grazing a distant paddock by day, graze a nearer paddock by night.
5. The risk of sole bruising due to instability of the pedal bone is greater in the post-partum period. If possible, graze recently calved cows near the milking parlour and limit the distance they need to walk.
6. Graze lame cows near the milking parlour.