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.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 27, 2021 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 27, 2021 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.