The NAHMS Dairy '96 Study was designed to provide both participants and the industry with information on the nation's dairy animal population for education and research. The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collaborated with NAHMS to select a statistically valid sample yielding 2,542 producers. Included in the study were 20 states that represented 83.1 percent of the U.S. milk cows as of January 1, 1996. Data on digital dermatitis were collected during the second phase as Federal or state Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO's) or Animal Health Technicians (AHT's) contacted producers from February 20 through May 24, 1996 to complete a questionnaire. Contact for this paper: Steven Ott