HEAL ▶▶▶TH
Hoof health: Prevention and control strategies
Hoof health problems are major issues in dairy cattle that can cause tremendous economic losses. Depending on the severity, the following can be seen: decreased feed intake, BW loss, decreased milk production, decreased herd longevity and impaired reproductive efficiency.
BY SALAH H. ESMAIL P
revention and control measures are important, but which measure can be adopted to minimise losses and improve animal production? Here are five strat- egies to control hoof health problems.
Housing management House temperature It is not uncommon to see an increase in lameness and other hoof problems two months after peak heat stress as a result of increased standing time during hot summer months. An east–west orientation will reduce solar exposure and alleviate many of these problems. Ventilation and cooling facilities should otherwise be provided during these periods. This will allow comfortable laying and relaxation of animals for several hours a day, improving blood circulation and activating the immune function to better cope with pathogen-induced hoof problems.
Cleaning Overexposure to manure and urine can erode heels, so feed- ing areas and alleys should always be kept clean to prevent this problem.
Stocking density Overcrowding often increases the negative effects of social interactions, especially with younger, less dominant cows or heifers, as dominant cows will displace low ranking cows from the stalls which forces them to stand for long periods. Plenty of space should be provided so that the less dominant cows have an escape route and don’t get trapped, then panic and injure themselves in the process of fleeing.
Covering the floors of the barns with sheets of soft rubber that mimic soil helps to achieve some advantages.
Flooring In a study conducted at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, it was found that covering barn floors with sheets of soft rubber to mimic pasture soil helps to achieve the following advantages compared to solid concrete floors: 1. The soft ground acts as a shock absorber and thus main- tains the integrity of the animal’s hooves. Although the an- imal has a natural substance resistant to shocks – the fat layer between the hooves – these fats are not sufficient to
▶DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 7, No. 3, 2020 9
PHOTO: KOOS GROENEWOLD
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