Provita developed Hoofsure Konquest hoof gel in conjunction with Queens University Belfast and Roger Blowey. Konquest hoof gel is a concentrated blend of organic acids and essential oils. It is formulated to possess bio-adhesive and potent penetrating action so it sticks to the skin and hoof and effectively gets to the source of infection. Provita have ongoing studies with Konquest hoof gel versus commercially available antibiotic aerosol sprays. Early results have been very promising. Cure rates are an impressive 75% after 28 day revisits for selected active DD lesions. For this study, Konquest was applied under gauze and lightly wrapped before removal in the parlour not more than 24 hours later. These early results are certainly encouraging and confirmed anecdotal results seen in the field from commercial users.
Hoof Care
Sale season in full swing at Springhill Texels
Last Saturday marked the beginning of the Texel pedigree sale season in Northern Ireland with the breed’s ‘Premier’ event taking place in Ballymena. The Foster family, from Ardstraw in Co Tyrone, are owners of the renowned Springhill flock with a history stretching back thirty two years.
“We had a good day in Ballymena,” confirmed Graham Foster. “A ram lamb sold to 2,500gns with a shearling ram making 1,400gns in the ring,” confirmed Graham Foster.
“We are also taking part in Scotland’s Premier Texel Sale at Lanark. This is the first time in twenty years that we have taken sheep to that event.”
New Hoofsure HELP service from Provita
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).
Farmer successfully controlling lameness
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
Lameness Talks by Rodger Blowey
Provita and Pfizer Animal Health have joined forces to organise two farmers’ meetings, the key speaker at each which will be leading veterinarian and cattle lameness expert Roger Blowey. The venues are: The Dunsilly Hotel Antrim, on Wednesday February 22nd and the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh on Thursday February 23rd. Each event commences at 7.45pm. Both farmers’ meetings … Read more
Provita Sponsors Lameness Seminars at World Dairy Expo
Provita is committed to farmer education and is proud to be the sponsor of the lameness hoofcare seminar at the World Dairy Expo, being held at Madison, October 4-9. Dairy farmers and those involved in the dairy industry are invited to attend the lameness seminar featuring Roger Blowey, in the Waubesa room at 10:30 on … Read more