Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has released a factsheet called Preventing Lameness in Heifers in their March newsletter as part of their Hoof HealthCheck Programme. AHI highlights two key aspects to prevent lameness in heifers. The first is to introduce heifers to the milking herd before calving. This early introduction allows the animals to resolve social order before the vulnerable postpartum period when she has weakened ligaments. The second key area is to handle heifers gently to avoid startling or exciting them. AHI also reminds readers that postponing a cow’s first incidence of lameness improves her lifelong production and fertility. 

See more here: https://animalhealthireland.ie/assets/uploads/2024/03/AHI_Monthly_Newsletter_March_2024_FINAL.pdf?dl=1