footbathing

New Hoofsure HELP service from Provita

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Research from DairyCo shows that lameness can be successfully reduced by up to 70% through effective footbathing. It can be assumed that with the average UK milk output per cow and average herd size having increased by approximately 20% and 30% respectively in the last 10 years alone, lameness levels and stress on cows feet will also rise (Dairy Co Datum 2014).

The role of the veterinarian in reducing lameness levels has been discussed at recent conferences such as at the Cattle Lameness Conference 2015 and International Lameness Conference 2013, in Bristol. It has been suggested that not only has the size and shape of farms altered but so have the roles and responsibilities of farm owners, workers as well as vets and other contractors (Alcock, 2015). 

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Footbath to prevent lameness

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The Provita stand at this year’s Sheep NI event was a focal point for discussion regarding a wide range of sheep management issues.
“It was tremendous to have so many flockowners coming up and discussing many management related issues which are of key interest to them at the present time,” confirmed Provita’s Tommy Armstrong.
“It was obvious that keeping hoof condition right remains a priority for sheep producers throughout Northern Ireland.
Tommy pointed out that Hoofsure Endurance, the unique footbath solution from Provita, is finding favour with leading sheep producers throughout Northern Ireland.

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Foot bathing after every milking reduces lameness problems by 50%

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The combined approach of foot bathing after every milking and the inclusion of Provita’s Hoofsure Endurance in the foot bathing solution has allowed Ballymoney dairy farmer Brian Knipe and his father Alfie to reduce the levels of lameness within his 100 strong cow dairy herd by almost 50%.”

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Hoofsure for a healthier herd, farm and farmer

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Research in America has found that copper has reached toxic levels in soils due to copper sulphate being used in footbaths. It was reported at the recent International Lameness Conference that fields which have gone toxic can no longer grow alfalfa.

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Regular footbathing reduces lameness levels by up to 70%

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DairyCo research has shown that 35 cows out of 100 will have lameness problems if footbathing is not carried out.  “This is a median figure,” added Provita’s Tommy Armstrong.

 “In comparison, figures drop down to 20 cows out of 100 on farms footbathing during housing.  Even better results are achieved on farms that are footbathing all year round, with the figure dropping down to 10 cows per 100.  This represents a 70% reduction in the overall scale of the problem, one that is costing the dairy sector millions of pounds in terms of lost production.”

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Provita at Clogher Show

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Provita will be at next week’s Clogher Show, taking place on Wednesday July 31st. “We will be located adjacent to the sheep rings,” confirmed Provita’s Tommy Armstrong. “And we look forward to making contact with farmers throughout the day.”

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Excellent turnout for Blowey lameness meetings

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Leading veterinarian Roger Blowey spoke at Provita/Pfizer Animal Health-hosted farmers’ meetings in Coleraine and Portadown. This was followed on with meetings in Clonmel and Cork. Courtesy of his presentations, Roger highlighted the growing challenge of hoof related problems on dairy farms and the ways by which farmers can get on top of this issue. Read … Read more

Farmer successfully controlling lameness

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Steven Robinson milks 125 Holstein Friesian cows at Longber Farm, near Lancaster. Until recently, he had been foot bathing the cows using a mix of Copper Sulphate and Formalin. However, ten months ago, after consulting with his local farm merchant, Steven decided to change to Provita Hoofsure Endurance. Since then he has been walking the … Read more

Digital dermatitis: footbathing critical

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The following article appeared in Farming Life, Sat 29th October, 2011. DairyCo figures have highlighted that a quarter of the British dairy herd is lame at any one time, costing farmers an average of £180 per case through lost milk sales, treatments and reduced activity. Traditionally around 25% of all lameness has been associated with digital … Read more