Now you can simplify hoof trimming and make it more timely.
DairyWorks has begun offering on-site hoof trimming training.

DairyWorks is now offering foot trimming training. Hoof health is a critical component of managing herd health, controlling involuntary cull rate and improving profitability. Cows need their hooves trimmed regularly and correctly by a skilled, trained technician. Well-intentioned but untrained workers doing improper foot trimming can cause cows to develop sole ulcers and lameness. Do you trim every cow at dry off? This is the time to “reshape” the foot to guarantee sound fresh cows that walk through their next lactation. Too often, aggressive and improper trimming causes lameness throughout the next lactation. Some herds experience lameness at a 5% herd level; others have lameness incidence of greater than 40%. If your incidence of lameness is too high we can help you reduce it.

We teach proper foot trimming technique. Bilingual explanation of the TECHNIQUE allows good workers to do the right job:

1. Not every foot needs to be trimmed on every dry cow.
2. Every foot needs to be shaped correctly at this routine trimming time.
3. Both claws of each foot need to be balanced properly to equally share the weight of the cow.
4. Claws need be shortened (or not) to cause the cow to walk at the correct leg angle.
5. Subclinical lameness must be identified and corrective foot trimming performed at this critical preventive trimming time.
6. Proper foot trimming is done through a precise, three step method to shape the foot to a predetermined form.
7. Recognize the early signs of foot rot to avoid problems later

When lameness does occur, it should be diagnosed and treated immediately. All too often cows become chronic because herdsmen don’t deal with the lame cow quick enough or don’t apply the right treatment for the specific type of lameness. You can’t afford to wait days or a week for your off-farm foot trimmer to care for lame cows. Training your herdsman to examine the lame hoof and diagnose the specific cause for the lameness is critical. When lame cows are diagnosed and treated quickly and correctly, they respond incredibly fast. A well trained, conscientious herdsman can virtually eliminate chronically lame cows.

Consider the cost of lameness:

• Considering milk loss, labor, drugs and discarded milk, each case of lameness can cost more than $400/lame cow.
• Lame cows loose approximately 3.3 lbs. of milk daily for two weeks following lameness.
• Lameness due to:
  • Foot rot = $190 per cow
  • Laminitis = $310 per cow
  • Hairy Wart = $153 per cow at 6 – 10 lbs. milk/da

Arm your herdsman and foot trimmer with training and the proper tools. They can make a huge difference in your breeding program, in your lame and hospital pen, in your drug costs and your cull rate. Trained workers are proud to do a good job and gain confidence when they see results. We can help you improve the foot health of your herd.

If you have questions or would like to schedule hoof health training call Cindy Bailey at 480-831-6358 or email us at dairyworks@aol.com.