FAST FACTS
Poor hoof health can be caused by overgrown hooves, lesions on the hooves, or laminitis.
Prevention of problems is achieved by ensuring that hoof trimming is done in time and that proper nutrition is in place.
Compromised hoof health results in cattle battling to stand up and walking with difficulty.
Maintaining hoof health in a cattle herd is very important. Gert van Zyl, director at Dairysmid Hoof Trimming, a cattle hoof trimming company, says there are two things to look for when identifying hoof health: length and balance.
He adds that hooves grow at a rate of approximately 5mm/month, with the toe horn being harder than the heal. Therefore, the toe will wear down slower than the heel, causing imbalance.
“This could be because of the field conditions where the cattle are kept and the nutrition the animals receive. The growth-to-wear ratio is implicated, and intervention is necessary,” he says.
Moreover, he says that a lack of balance is one of the main causes of lameness, especially if the animals walk excessively and stand for long periods on hard surfaces. “The front legs are connected to the skeleton by means of muscles and ligaments, while the hind legs are part of the skeleton, with very little suspension. Lameness is mainly experienced in the hind legs because of the weaker suspension.”
MOVEMENT SCORING
A locomotion scoring of lameness (from normal to severe) is used in the dairy industry, and focuses on the posture of the cow. A score of 1 means the cow is healthy, with a flat/straight back posture when standing and walking. A score of 5 means the cow is unhealthy in terms of hoof health, with pronounced arching of the back when standing and walking.
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Denne historien er fra August 27, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
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Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
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Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results
Optimising cherry production and quality
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.
