Livestock Micronutrients crucial to prevent lameness F


armers looking to reduce lameness in cattle are being encouraged to consid- er trace element and vitamin supple-


mentation to support hoof health. Appropriate micronutrition, teamed with a suitable trimming strategy, can support the hoof horn and help prevent lameness and its costly consequences, says Tom Butler, group technical manager at Brinicombe. “Lame cows will have a lower dry matter intake and their milk yield will subsequent- ly be reduced. The problem most commonly occurs when the integrity of the hoof horn de- teriorates, allowing disease and bacteria to enter the foot.” Trace element and vitamin supplementa- tion can play an important part in supporting hoof integrity, says Mr Butler. This helps to reduce the risk of hoof diseases, such as dig- ital dermatitis and sole ulcers.


Biotin and zinc as particularly beneficial. Essential for keratinisation, which is a key process in the healthy composition of the hoof horn, biotin is a vitamin often lacking in cat- tle diets. Zinc is also seen as important for good hoof health. Mr Butler says: “Severe nutritional defi- ciencies in both biotin and zinc can lead to a


Lameness can be increasingly noticeable


during summer


Photo: Tim Scrivener


fragile hoof, more susceptible to cracks and bacterial infections, thus increasing the risk of lameness.” He recommends routinely incorporating trace element and vitamin supplementation into lameness management strategies. “Trace element and vitamin boluses high in biotin and zinc, such as EnduraBol Bio- tin, are a good way to ensure a consistent and long-lasting supply of micronutrients to help support hoof health as well as general


cow health and performance.” Based on scientific research, EnduraBol Biotin has been designed with hoof health in mind. Two boluses deliver approximate- ly 20mg of biotin per day and a sustained re- lease of zinc for up to 120 days. “During the summer, lameness can be in- creasingly noticeable as cattle are more like- ly to be walking further to the parlour, often on sharp, stony tracks, which can cause wear and tear on hooves,” says Mr Butler.


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