Did you know?

After fertility disorders and udder health issues, diseases of the hoof and extremities are the third major cause of culling among dairy cattle. Lameness of over 30 per cent in herds is not uncommon. Walking with a limp is mainly a sign of pain in the locomotor system. In over 90 per cent of cases, lameness is due to diseases of the hoof and the skin around the hooves. The economic impact is estimated at up to 600 euros per cow and year. 

Factors for healthy hooves 

A great many factors affect the health of dairy cattle's hooves. Selective breeding and the general state of disease in the cattle shed are largely underestimated. Infectious diseases such as BVD/MD and IBR/IBV weaken the immune system, opening the floodgates for other pathogens. A cattle shed climate that is species-friendly and consistent hygiene strengthen the animals' immune systems and reduce the risk of infection. The choice of feed including the water supply also has an impact on hoof hygiene. A total mixed ration (TMR) should contain a minimum of 16 per cent crude fibre and two thirds structured fibre.

Keeping and pens adapted to the cattle’s needs are most obvious. In stanchion barns, the lack of exercise and hoof horn growth shoots lead to problems; in pens, it is the slippery, rough and wet walkways that are problematic. Horn growth and abrasion should be kept in equilibrium. Incorrectly measured stalls lead to localised overloading and pressure points. Walkways and waste removal processes should be coordinated, and management of the system optimised. 

Hoof hygiene constitutes an additional key factor. Profession hygiene means cleaning and disinfecting – for care and disinfection products can only be fully effective when they are applied to clean surfaces. Several studies have shown that only the combination of several individual measures significantly reduces the bacterial load. This also includes the regular professional trimming of hooves and, in particular, cleaning out of the interdigital space.