The Milk Producer - July 2011 - (Page 24)

COVERSTORY By Dr. Wayne Shewfelt/Photos By David Barr Tackling Lameness W We can make a solid case for taking a team approach hen it comes to improving his dairy herd’s overall productivity, Ed Danen is achieving success by quite literally starting at the bottom. Improved hoof health is resulting in better milk production, better reproductive performance and better fresh cow performance. As his veterinarian, I have been working with Ed since late 2010 on implementing a team approach to improving hoof health. Ailing feet had been an issue for quite some time on the farm where he and his wife, Julie, have a freestall operation, Danzel Holsteins, milking about 90 cows near Shakespeare, Ont. both, so those improvements readily stand out. Ed has found there is no “magic bullet” for curing a herd’s ailing hooves. A variety of factors are involved. Also, maintaining sound feet in your herd is an ongoing process, he advises. “It takes vigilance to maintain good hoof health. You have to have constant monitoring and oversight.” Ed’s brother, Jack Danen, who farms nearby, has implemented a similar team approach to hoof health for improving his herd’s longevity. Jack and his wife, Jane, operate Danesview Holsteins, milking about 80 cows, where they have put a major focus on hoof health and cow comfort. Jack is acutely aware of the importance of foot trimming. He trims himself and has a hoof trimmer on the premises two to three times per year. He is also getting a positive dollar return on hoof health inputs, and runs a footbath for routine maintenance. As his veterinarian, I have discussed longevity with him, and we have identified hoof issues as the main factor holding back his herd’s improvement in this area. Ed saw hoof problems increase with the move to a new barn in 2008. The concrete floor is more abrasive than in the old facility, and the cows’ hooves were wearing faster than they could grow again. The herd has made several changes. These include switching to a new hoof trimmer, scraping manure off the barn floor more often, routinely using a foot bath, pasturing cows in warmer weather when practical, and consulting with the herd nutritionist and me. As well as fewer lame cows, he is seeing major improvements in milk production and reproductive performance. He has long-term records for 24 | July 2011 | MilkPRODUCER Worldwide problem Ed and Jack are far from alone in having to deal with limping cows. Lameness is generally considered the third

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - July 2011

The Milk Producer - July 2011
Contents
Editor's Notes
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty
DFO Vice-Chair's Message
Dairy Update
DFC Promotion
Cover Story
Herd Health
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Markets
New 'N' Noted
The Back Forty

The Milk Producer - July 2011