The weather is an important consideration for many aspects of animal farming, and bad weather can impact on the health of your herds as well as making the job harder. A wet Spring, with a lot of rain and mud to contend with, can lead to higher levels of lameness in your cattle and this can be detrimental to the health and milk production of your cows and therefore the success of your business.
Here, we’ll take a look at how the season can affect your cows and consider the measures you could put in place to remedy this. We aim to help you increase productivity on your farm and improve the health of your animals, and our experienced team will be happy to discuss your cattle welfare practices and offer advice where we can.
How Does Springtime Weather Affect Your Cows?
Understanding why Spring weather can be a problem for cattle is the first step in maximising the productivity of your business. There are several diseases that can lead to lameness, including infectious diseases such as digital dermatitis and foot rot, and diseases that are not infectious, such as sole ulcers and white line disease. Each condition will manifest differently and will require specific treatment, so it is important to know which you are dealing with in order to address the root causes of lameness in your herd.
It is important to establish if any cows in your herd are lame and the reasons for this. You should have a hoof trimming routine that keeps your cows hooves in good condition and helps to prevent them from lameness, and it is especially important to keep a close eye on their hooves during the Spring, when wet, muddy conditions can cause damage and enable bacteria to spread more quickly.
How to Protect Your Cows in the Spring
Protecting the health of your cows in the Spring can mean taking a look at your existing practices and considering possible changes to improve your standards. This may include:
Spraying Hooves
You may find that hoof sprays on a regular basis can help to keep hooves clean and control the spread of bacteria.
Using Footbaths
A footbath that your animals can walk through is a simple way to manage hoof health and can disinfect and protect the hooves from several dangerous conditions.
Treating problems Quickly
If you notice lameness in your herd, quick treatment can save the productivity – and even the life – of your animals. You should carry out regular hoof checks to ensure early identification of any problems and allow for immediate treatment.
Carrying Out Regular Hoof Trimming
Regular hoof trimming will help you to keep your cattle healthy and well, and using a hoof trimming crate can make this a straightforward and efficient process. Hoof trimming is usually recommended every six months, although older animals and those with existing foot problems may require more frequent trimming.
Hoof Trimming Crates from HoofCare Direct
At HoofCare Direct, we want to make life easier for Ireland’s farmers and we are here to help you find the equipment and advice you need to simplify your practice. We have a range of excellent quality hoof trimming tools and protective wear, and our hoof trimming crates are designed to make light work of tasks such as hoof trimming, insemination and giving medication.
A mobile hoof trimming crate can transform your practice, giving you a solution that saves you time and stress. At HoofCare Direct, you can see a full demonstration the Inspect4 Mobile Hoof Trimming Crate in action, and our experienced team will be happy to help you find the best options for your animals. Simply call us today or enquire via our website to find out more about these options.