Dairy health in German organic farming - an intervention study on lameness and the implementation of herd health plansSolveigMarchauthorJanBrinkmannauthorChristophWincklerauthorA pilot study carried out in 2002/2003 (50 farms) revealed that production diseases such as mastitis, lameness and metabolic disorders play a considerable role in german organic dairy farming. In a follow-up project, an intervention study on lameness is currrently being carried out in 43 cubicle housed Holstein Friesian herds. Farms are monitored at 3-months intervals for two years. The average baseline lameness prevalence was 26%. Preliminary findings suggest a beneficial effect of access to pasture during summer and improvements due to intervention measures (housing, management) taken in approximately half of the farms. In a third step, herd health plans with regard to mastitis, lameness, metabolic disorders, reproductive disorders and calf diseases will be implemented on the project farms integrating farmers, veterinary practitioners and advisors. Health and welfare2006Conference paper, poster, etc.