Farmers urged to check cattle hoof health ahead of winter housing

As farmers prepare to move stock from grazing to housing it is a critical time to assess current hoof health and address any issues before problems arise.

Prevention is of utmost importance and now is the time to get your herd checked by FRS.

Cows feet get softer directly after caving and as a result winter milk herds tend to have higher incidences of lameness.

Early detection of problems can be brought to light through preventative pairing (eg Motallareo and Interdigital Dermatitis). Preventative hoof paring in conjunction with a good foot bathing programme can help reduce the occurrence of these problems.

FRS provides expert paring of hoofs for preventive and curative hoof care, but the service extends to more than just a ‘pedicure’ for your herd. FRS offer knowledgeable advice on how to aid the prevention of lameness through a complete hoof care regime. FRS hoof care technicians are fully trained and up to date on the diseases and hazards that affect lameness and offer advice on how the famer can proactively address these.

Correct weight distribution and correct length of the claws, paired by an FRS expert, will help alleviate lameness problems in conjunction with a correct diet and foot bathing.

FRS pioneered the first hoof care training to Ireland over 30 years ago and has built up a highly reputable expert hoof care service to farmers. FRS has continuously evolved its service with current technologies and equipment to give the best service available to the market.

FRS hoof care technicians take part in intensive in-house training programmes. During the training participants learn the theory of hoof care, causes of lameness, the 5 step Dutch method of hoof care, hygiene, the practical skill of paring and communications skills, which is important to effectively communicate with farmers. Regular refresher courses are held to keep even the most experienced operator up to date on new developments and new technologies. Most recently a large group of FRS technicians were awarded their Certificate Of Competence In Professional Hoof Care In The Dutch Method, which involved training and assessment by Pieter Kloosterman, renowned hoof care expert from Oenkerk, an Agricultural College in Holland.

The FRS hoof care service how incorporates the use of a hand held data recording device used by the FRS hoof care technicians to record hoof ailments and treatments administered during the hoof care process. It gives invaluable decision making and herd management information back to farmers and the data is analysed by ICBF.

Using Herdwatch, the new mobile App and system, farmers can record observations of lameness and keep track of what animal’s hooves should be checked and then record any diseases identified and treatments administered.

Foot bathing needs to take place before housing in order to help prevent lameness problems later in the year.

Foot bathing is essential to combat hoof diseases such as Mortellaro disease, but will only solve certain types of lameness. Herds with high incidence of Mortellaro should probably start with an antibiotic footbath to get the issue under control. Following up with three consecutive foot bathings in bluestone every three weeks is a good way to keep hooves health after that. Antibiotic solution can be topically sprayed into cow’s feet for a more targeted approach on farms with small levels of infection.

To avail of the FRS specialist hoof care services or to find out more about Herdwatch please contact your local FRS Office.