DairySmid Hoof Trimming a proud Sponsor at The 6th Annual Production Sale of Ntaba Nyoni Cattle at Phala-Phala Auction House on the 4th of March 2023. Congratulations to Ben and Jessica with and excellent sale! Proud to be associated. The DairySmid Hoof Trimming team.
Hoof health is essential for a beef or dairy cattle herd to perform optimally, and nutrition and good hoof care should form part of any animal health programme.
Hoefversorging is ʼn wye onderwerp. Mankheid by beeste kan in verskeie kategorieë ingedeel word en vereis ook verskillende benaderings en vorms van behandeling.
In die ewig veranderende wêreld waarin ons lewe, is ’n goeie, gesonde verhouding tussen die veearts en die hoefsmid belangrik om te verseker dat die boer op die voorpunt bly.
In last’s month’s article I focussed on horizontal fissures in dairy and beef cattle. There is a difference between horizontal and vertical fissures, and I want to explain the latter in more detail. A vertical fissure can be described as a fissure or crack on the claw. In the early stages this is only visible…
There are two types of fissures, namely horizontal (discussed in this article) and vertical. Both types cause severe lameness and have their own risk factors and causes.
In parts 1 and 2 of this series I explained the factors that influence overgrown feet and how to identify the origin of the problem. I also touched on genetic disorders and how it re-manifests after a trim. This brings us to a frequently asked question: Is it ethical to trim feet?
In part 1 of this series, I explained why we often see cattle with long claws and I touched on the principles that must be kept in mind whenever the subject of feet comes up.
In this series of different reasons why cows go lame, I want to mention a very important principle, namely, the role that concrete plays in lameness.
There have been many myths and different opinions in the past regarding the subject of the bovine hoof. Part of the reason why it is such a frequently discussed topic, is that it is so difficult to work on the feet of cattle. Unlike horses, cattle cannot be trained to lift one foot while standing on the other three legs. In fact, it is extremely difficult for cattle to stand on three legs, which is why specialised equipment is needed.