Hoof Care - Articles - Page 2

Beyond the stall: How partial outdoor access affects gait and hoof health of movement-restricted cows

Results from a recent study illustrate minor alterations in management practices can enhance cow mobility.

April 6, 2023

Amir Nejati, Elise Shepley, and Elsa Vasseur

The dairy industry's reliance on indoor housing systems that restrict animal movement has raised concerns about animal welfare. Although many dairy farms in Canada still rely on facilities that restrict animal movement without providing pasture access, studies have shown that cows benefit greatly from spending time outdoors.

Designing concrete floors for dairy facilities to reduce lameness incidences

Factors contributing to a flooring surface with good traction include concrete floor surface, bedding type used, manure removal system and facility layout. Here is how to provide a proper and secure walking surface for cows to use for a long time.

March 17, 2023

David W. Kammel and Karl Burgi

Lameness can affect anywhere between 8% to 55% of dairy cows worldwide. The contributing causes of lameness are poor cow comfort, long standing time, heat stress, poor stockmanship and poor flooring.

3 Open Minutes with Albert Cousineau

January 31, 2023

Jenn Coyne

Albert Cousineau recently set down the hoof knives and grinders after an impressive 42 years in business. As of Jan. 1, and nearly 200,000 cows later, Cousineau retired as one of Ontario’s staple hoof trimmers and sold the business to his son, Joël.

Research on environmental, genetic components of lameness shows promise

Lameness continues to be the cause of substantial loss on dairies. Researchers are honing in on environmental and genetic factors that contribute to lameness in order to improve animal health and well-being.

January 26, 2023

Zoey Tucker Macon

For some time now, producers have known that lameness causes major loss in the dairy industry, including both economic injury and a decline in animal health and well-being.

What have we learned after 20 years of research into footbaths?

A look at 20 years of research on footbath design, management and effectiveness to control digital dermatitis, and what still remains to be known.

October 5, 2022

Laura Solano

We have been discussing the optimum use, management and design of footbaths for about 20 years, but what evidence do we have that footbaths are effective in controlling digital dermatitis (DD)?

The risk of chronic hairy heel wart reservoirs and how to prevent them

Developing proper prevention and early treatment protocols for digital dermatitis helps gain a degree of control over this infectious claw disease.

October 5, 2022

Doerte Doepfer

Digital dermatitis (DD) affects more than 95% of cattle in husbandry systems under compromised hygienic conditions and with high cattle density.

Three D's to tackling lameness on the dairy

Dedication, data analysis and daily treatment of lame cows are common themes on dairies with less than 2% lameness. Following the three D's can address lameness woes on any size dairy.

October 5, 2022

Lee Erickson

There are no shortcuts for reducing the lameness rates on dairy farms. It takes a lot of hard work and cooperation from the dairy farm team, but it is well worth the effort to reach the goal of 1%-2% lameness on the dairy.

Do not tolerate lame cows on the dairy

Lameness can be a key indicator of animal welfare on farms, and processors are paying attention. Producers are encouraged to work with their on-farm team to create a sustainable hoof health plan.

September 12, 2022

Jenn Coyne

At any given time, 25% of dairy cows in the U.S. are lame, and more than that experience lameness at some point throughout their lactation, according to Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM.

Hoof structural integrity, formation and the importance of hard alpha-keratin

May 7, 2022

Kayla Pecora

Nothing good can be built on a faulty foundation. On a cow, that foundation is its hooves. Therefore, it’s time to look at what the foundation is comprised of and how the foundation is built. We are still talking cows and hooves, though, right?

How one dairy herd recovered from a hairy wart problem

April 19, 2022

Aaron LaVoy

The last few years have been trying for everyone in the dairy industry, and dairy farmers are no exception to that. As a hoof trimmer of 18 years, I have been on hundreds of dairy farms worldwide and continue to be amazed by the levels of digital dermatitis (DD) I still see when visiting farms.

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Beyond the stall: How partial outdoor access affects gait and hoof health of movement-restricted cows

Designing concrete floors for dairy facilities to reduce lameness incidences

3 Open Minutes with Albert Cousineau

Research on environmental, genetic components of lameness shows promise

What have we learned after 20 years of research into footbaths?

The risk of chronic hairy heel wart reservoirs and how to prevent them

Three D's to tackling lameness on the dairy

Do not tolerate lame cows on the dairy

Hoof structural integrity, formation and the importance of hard alpha-keratin

How one dairy herd recovered from a hairy wart problem

Ruminating for better health

Hot chocolate and Holsteins: Ontario family farm hosts annual open house

6 considerations to maximize cow comfort this winter

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