Animal Health & Welfare

Much of the existing information on cow tracks and cow walks originated in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Temperate countries such as these maintain large herds that are less frequently housed indoors.

A cow track is any pathway used to move cattle between grazing areas or into the parlour. It includes trackways that are permanent and purpose built for cattle and those that exist through use of heavy machinery and years of moving animals.

Often cattle will walk in single file along softer ground at the edge of the track and will deliberately avoid objects or areas of ground that may cause injury.

A large percentage of trackways are used as dual purpose access routes both when moving heavy machinery and herding cattle. Often this leads to tracks becoming worn and damaged, exhibiting poor drainage and comprising of an abrasive and uneven walking surface. These factors have been found to be associated with lameness in outdoor herds. As cattle may be required to complete a return journey 2 or 3 times per day on these tracks, attention to their quality is justified.

The following actions will help to reduce and avoiding lameness when moving cattle:

• Always allow cattle to move at their own pace, in single file and uncrowded
• Ensure that all tracks are devoid of sharp stones and depressions that may allow water to collect and obscure the pathway
• If possible do not use heavy machinery on the trackway but try to establish a different path of use. If wide enough a track could have 2 parallel areas, one for machinery and one for cattle
• Tracks should have a suitable surface (research has shown that bark chips are the best) that is maintained and replaced/topped up when required. Avoid using quarry dust or shale as it can damage the hoof and penetrate the white line, and it has a tendency to turn into mud in heavy rain
• Tracks should be wide enough to allow for crowding around gates and drinking troughs. Ensure any hedges are kept trimmed to prevent encroachment