Research has proven that with each incidence of lameness the loss of milk production, lowered conception rate and treatment cost exceeds $120 and over 90 percent of foot rot cases, digital dermatitis and sole ulcer cases can be treated.
Finding cows early and treating them right away will shorten the duration of disease and limit the probability of relapse, but the knowledge and training of the hoof trimmers in paramount in a herd program that lowers lameness.
A Master Hoof Care training will be held on May 8 and 9 at the Iowa Dairy Center at Calmar, Iowa. It is a hands-on training program for instruction in hoof care and trimming. Trimming techniques are designed to correct claw horn overgrowth without over-trimming, balance weight bearing within and between the claws of each foot, and finally, create a stable weight bearing surface on all claws. The lab will consist of instruction on knife sharpening techniques, the treatment of lameness disorders including the proper application of foot blocks for relief of weight bearing in diseased or injured claws and practice trimming with knives and grinders.
This class is taught by Dr. Jan Shearer, dairy Extension veterinarian at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Shearer’s primary areas of interest in recent years have been lameness and welfare of cattle. In addition, he can present in Spanish for students having difficulty following in English.
The tuition is $549 and there will be an additional $100 tool and educational material fee to be paid on the first day of class.
For more information contact Mariah Schmitt, Dairy Center coordinator, at 563-534-9957, ext. 107, [email protected] or Leslie Shearer at 515-294-2836 or by email at [email protected].
