Arthur Hanna, who runs 130 Holstein Friesian cows in Armoy, Co Antrim, recently availed of Provita Hoofsure HELP service. Lameness is a major challenge in dairy herds across the globe. Infectious conditions are the biggest contributor towards lameness, with Digital Dermatitis (DD) the most commonly seen condition which can spread quickly throughout the entire herd if left unmanaged. This painful infection affects the skin around the hoof mainly at the back of the cleft between the claws and due claw. Lameness reduces mobility, comfort, feed intake, milk yield, fertility and ultimately gross margin. Milk yield can be reduced by at least 1 litre per cow per day.
Arthur explained they had been using traditional footbathing products, but the lameness problem was still getting worse. Over the last few years he had also used Hoofsure Endurance occasionally but without much success. However, he heard of Provita Hoofsure HELP service and spoke to sales rep Kieran Donnelly who assessed the cows and recommended a much more aggressive daily plan.
“Initially in November 2017 around 60% of my herd had active DD so footbathing with Hoofsure Endurance 5% was done every day for 3 weeks, we also spot-sprayed bad cases with Hoofsure Endurance 25% or Hoofsure Combat ready to use spray which forms a film for extra protection. I could soon see the DD healing with scabs going brown or black and falling off. The dilution rate was reduced every 3 weeks and the protocol is currently a daily footbath of Hoofsure Endurance 2%. The same mix lasts for 2 days so it’s economical to use. Dry cows and heifers are also done once a week at Hoofsure Endurance 3%. Hoofsure Endurance has helped me reduce the DD problem down to around 10% and I have less lame cows, but I will keep control measures in place. The cows are now milking better as they are not annoyed by sore feet. I can recommend it to other dairy farmers with confidence, but for it to work it must be used according to a tailored plan under the Hoofsure HELP service.”
Arthur also gets a hoof trimmer in every month to stay on top of other problems such as sole ulcers, while line and overgrown ones. A number of long term chronic cases that didn’t respond have been culled.
HELP: Hoofsure Endurance Lameness Programme
- Initial on-farm assessment to check lameness levels and existing protocol
- Calculated cost of lost milk yield
- Farm-specific footbathing 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 footbathing options
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.
For more information FREEPHONE 0800 328 4982 or info@provita.co.uk