Lameness is a major challenge in dairy herds around the world. Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious condition and one of the major causes of lameness reducing mobility, comfort, feed intake, milk yield and fertility. This infectious condition can spread quickly through the entire herd and can reduce milk yield by at least one litre per cow per day. At the International Lameness Conference in Munich, it was reported that the levels of lameness overall ranged from 7% to 61%. Likewise, research at the AVSPNI conference noted that lameness can range from 0% to 79.2% and overall levels are increasing with a reported average 36.8% of lameness incidence.
From the percentages stated, it is evident that lameness can be controlled, however too many lameness protocols on farm are not effective. Obstacles to controlling lameness can be time and labour restrictions, plus the unpopularity and tedium of foot bathing and topical hoof application. Furthermore, if lameness levels reach a noticeably high level, farmers may feel it is irreversible and too difficult to reduce.
Lameness is controllable if the correct measures are in place. Important measures for success are the initial recognition and identification of the lameness levels and the implementation of reviewable farm-specific protocols involving regular foot bathing and topical application.
Provita Animal Health are committed to helping farmers reduce lameness so have developed a lameness programme for farmers providing on-farm assistance, robust protocols and regular follow-up.
HELP: Hoofsure Endurance Lameness Programme
- Initial on-farm assessment to check lameness levels and existing protocol
- Calculated cost of lost milk yield
- Farm-specific foot bathing and topical hoof application protocol
- Regular lameness levels and protocol re-assessments
- Use of customised Provita DD APP for mobiles and tablets to show lameness assessment results
- Provita can advise on and supply a full range of foot bathing options including plastic, stainless steel, concrete and a bespoke semi-automated system
Initial on-farm HELP visit is no obligation, the full programme is free to farmers who order minimum 1-month supply of Hoofsure Endurance footbath solution.
Provita Animal Health have developed a customised Digital Dermatitis (DD) App to aid in the identification and recording of lameness levels.
- Simply record details of the lesion: colour, size and profile. No knowledge of DD scoring systems needed
- Designed for easy use in the parlour
- Data is automatically sent to Provita for analysis and to generate farm-specific report and protocol
- The app converts observations and categorises them into early, acute, healing, chronic DD lesions
- Farmers can monitor lameness levels before and after protocol changes
- Suitable for iOS and android devicesHoofsure Product Range
Formalin and copper sulfate are the most commonly used footbath solutions. However, concerns due to formaldehyde being carcinogenic and copper being toxic to soil and the environments means their long-term use of questionable. With anti-microbial resistance a global issue, the use of anti-biotics in hoof care protocols is also not sustainable.
Hoofsure Endurance footbath solution is a propriety blend of organics acids, essential oils and wetting agents. Proven to be19% more effective than formaldehyde and 7% more effective than copper sulfate meaning it is safe for the animal, the user and the environment. It does not contain anti-biotics.
Hoofsure Konquest Hoof Gel is highly concentrated with potent penetrating action. It has advanced bio-adhesion properties for use with or without a hoof bandage, and is anti-biotic free.
Hoofsure Combat Hoof Spray is a unique film-forming spray providing persistent longer lasting activity. It can be used for spot-spraying in the parlour or during hoof-trimming, and is anti-biotic free.
Hoofsure Range is available through merchants and veterinarians.
