Hoof health plays a decisive role in the well-being and performance of our cattle. Claw diseases continue to be the third most common reason for dairy cow deaths. In addition, every case of lameness is also a financial problem that should not be underestimated due to reduced milk yield, increased remounting rates, additional labour due to treatment and veterinary costs, and extended calving intervals. Through feeding, hoof care and animal-friendly husbandry, the farmer has a wide range of options for influencing the hoof health of his herd.
An online seminar was held at the LWK Lower Saxony as part of the Focus on Animal Welfare network to familiarise dairy farmers with this topic. Dr Jörg Willig, Cattle Health Service of the LWK Lower Saxony, and Klaus Hermann Haß, self-employed hoof trimmer, were invited as speakers. They reported on the organisation of functional hoof care and the most important therapeutic and prophylactic measures for hoof diseases. Klaus Hermann Haß made the start. The hoof trimmer from Schleswig-Holstein began by explaining that the aim of functional hoof care is to achieve healthy, pain-free, strong and functioning hooves in the long term. He explained why hoof trimming is necessary at all for our dairy cows, stating that the animals are primarily kept on hard, artificial floors such as concrete and move little or not at all on naturally grown ground.
5-point scheme for hoof care
The speaker then gave the audience an insight into the 5-point hoof care programme. The starting point is the measuring claw. This is found on the outside of the forelimbs and on the inside of the hind limbs. It is measured and shortened accordingly to approx. 7.5 cm in Holstein cattle, then the footprint is processed (sole thickness at least 5 mm). Then, if possible, the weight-bearing claw is adjusted to match the dimension claw. The model is then cut, also known as a hollow fillet. The horn around the claw gap is removed to improve ventilation. The fourth step involves the treatment of colour deviations and defects. For example, a relief incision can be made in the rear third of the claw. The 5-point scheme is rounded off by finishing work such as shortening the dewclaws or removing loose horn in the rear claw area. When it comes to hoof care, a distinction is made between preventive work, which should be carried out every six months at the latest, and curative work, which must always be carried out when necessary. Checks and aftercare after four to six weeks are crucial. If there is no prospect of healing through hoof care alone, a vet must be consulted.
Checkpoints for preventive measures
Following the first presentation, Dr Jörg Willig took over the digital lectern. In addition to the previous presentation, he emphasised once again how important the claw health of the herd is. According to him, every second cull is at least indirectly linked to claw problems. A complex network of possible triggers can be considered as a cause. The control points for preventive measures are at least as extensive. For example, hard gangways or long standing times due to poor stall management favour external trauma. Another example: hormonal changes after calving or metabolic disorders due to inappropriate feeding damage the hoof leather. Ultimately, genetics also have an influence on claw health.
The speaker went on to outline a 5-point plan for controlling Mortellaro's disease. This includes external and internal biosecurity, early detection and treatment, reducing germ pressure on the hoof and setting and monitoring targets. In conclusion, Dr Jörg Willig summarises: 'Successful claw health management requires always treating lameness as an emergency and having functional claw care carried out by a trained professional. In addition, the findings must be documented and analysed and, ultimately, problem areas must be identified and tackled.
Synergy effects between emission reduction measures and claw health
In a second online seminar, Prof Dr Barbara Benz from the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences spoke about the synergy effects between emission reduction measures in the cowshed and claw health. She brought with her practical impressions from innovative EIP cattle barns. The expert explained: "Ammonia emissions arise from urine and faeces, e.g. on dirty walking surfaces. At the same time, urine and faeces attack the claw horn, increasing the risk of claw diseases. The logical consequence, according to Prof Benz, is that emission reduction measures that promote a dry running surface also promote claw health. Practical measures that can be taken into account when building a barn, but can also be retrofitted at a later date, include urine-draining floor designs with adapted manure removal technology, e.g. a high scraper frequency. A special measure is the installation of raised feeding stalls. This reduces the risk factors for claw diseases and the scraper frequency can be increased further without disturbing or even injuring the feeding cows.
Importance of cubicle design for claw health
The speaker also emphasised the special role of cubicle design for claw health. If the cow is hindered by the control elements, this automatically leads to shorter lying times, which in turn puts additional strain on the claws. Standing comfort in the stalls should also be taken into account. If the cow is not hindered by the neck tube, she can stand with all four feet in the stall and is therefore soft and dry. According to the expert, the animals also defecate less in the lying area if the cubicle dimensions are adapted and there is no risk of the animals injuring themselves through the bars or coming into painful contact with the dividers when lying down or standing up. Uncomfortable front borders also disturb the animal when lying down in a relaxed position with its front leg stretched out. Finally, an incorrectly adjusted neck tube impairs the head swing when standing up.
The conclusion of these two events: Improving claw health is worthwhile in order to reduce one of the main causes of claw loss. Functional hoof care by a specialist and the consistent and animal-friendly treatment of disease cases are crucial. Structural changes can also bring about an improvement.
If the coronavirus situation allows, the LWK Lower Saxony will soon also be offering face-to-face seminars on practical hoof care.
Author: Alexandra Koch, Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture
How to manage hoof health easily
Online event series of the Eifel Rural Service Centre
On 21.01. and 04.02.2021, two online seminars of the nationwide Fokus Tierwohl network on the topic of claw health took place at the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Eifel with the support of the Arbeitsgemeinschaften für Landtechnik und Bauwesen Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar e.V. and the Milchvieh Beratungsring Wittlich-Trier e.V.
Dr Hans-Peter Klindworth, specialist cattle veterinarian from Vierden, kicked off the claw health series with the topic "Influence of husbandry on claw health". He pointed out the biggest weak points, such as uncomfortable or incorrectly dimensioned cubicles, wet and dirty walkways, but also the lack of or inadequate measures in the event of heat stress, which have a negative impact on the cattle's hooves.
Thomas Engelhardt from the Centre for Animal Husbandry and Breeding at the Saxony-Anhalt State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture then spoke about the most common feeding errors and their effects on claw health. Lack of fibre, structure and energy, but also excess starch or sugar are only a small part of the wide range of possible feeding errors. Good quality coarse feed, needs-based and ruminant-appropriate supply, but also consideration and control of body condition can contribute to prevention.
In the second part of the online seminar series, Dr Andrea Fiedler used many images and video sequences to show how to identify lame animals on the farm. Observing the animals at the feed fence, on the way to the milking parlour and in the milking parlour itself is particularly suitable for this. She also gave tips on documentation, the most common tools and the correct implementation of functional hoof care. Close observation of all animals, regular hoof care (at least twice a year) and early detection and treatment make a significant contribution to animal welfare.
The importance of this topic was emphasised by the large number of participants (almost 150 at each seminar) and the lively questions in the concluding discussion rounds. Due to the high demand and the importance of the topic of claw health, a practical section on functional claw care is also being planned for later this year.
Author: Hannah Herres, Service Centre for Rural Areas Eifel