Hoof health
Discover the impact of healthy hooves
A healthy herd is key to an optimal milk production, which in turn translates to a healthy business. And healthy cows walk on healthy hooves. Many dairy farmers are not aware of the impact of hoof disorders to the profitability of their dairy farm.
Insights
Preventive hoof care is better than cure
Maintaining an optimal hoof health includes preventive hoof care on a farm. When building on a strong fundament, hoof problems are far less likely to occur, saving you time and money.
The real costs of hoof problems
Studies show that hoof problems have a bigger impact on profit than most farmers realize. A lame cow will visit the milking robot less frequently. Furthermore, milk from a cow that’s being treated with antibiotics cannot be put on the market. And a cow in pain or feeling sick will eat less, therefore will produce less milk and/or will be less fertile.
Literature research on the prevalence of lameness (2023) concluded that 22% of the cows on an average dairy farm show signs of lameness. Direct and indirect costs as a result of these hoof problems were found to lie between € 250 and € 380 per cow per year (R. Robcis, 2023). Not to mention the fact that lame cows can produce 8% less milk on a daily basis than healthy cows (M.R.N. Bruijnis, 2010).
All combined this makes hoof problems one of the three most expensive diseases at dairy farms and a top three reason for culling. It shows that preventive hoof care to improve hoof health can be very beneficial.
What contributes to preventing hoof problems?
Prevention includes regular hoof trimming during the cows’ lactation, at dry off and when you see any problems. Furthermore, clean barn floors reduce the risk of infectious hoof disorders spreading in the barn. An optimal feed intake contributes to the cows' resistance, making her less susceptible to diseases like Digital Dermatitis. And of course it helps to clean the hooves on a regular basis, for example during the milking process.
Ultimately, to maintain an optimal hoof health at your farm, prevention takes less effort than curing hoof problems only when they occur. It also reduces the costs in the long run.
Images hoof health
5 factors that influence hoof health
That good hoof health for cows is important, everyone readily agrees. But why in practice is it sometimes quite a challenge to maintain hoof health? Hoof health is influenced by several factors that together determine how well a cow can move. This can be summarised as:
Locomotion = Barn design + Hygiene & Climate + Preventive hoof care + Nutrition
In a series of five articles, hoof health expert André Janse, Farm Management Specialist at Lely, takes a closer look at this topic and shares valuable insights and practical tips.
Cows spend their days eating, drinking, resting, and visiting the milking robot, activities that rely on strong legs and hooves. Read more about the role of locomotion in dairy farming!
Free movement is key to a comfortable and productive barn. When cows have enough space to eat, rest, and move without obstacles, they experience less competition and stress. A well-designed barn benefits both cows and farmers. Sometimes, less really is more! Discover how barn layout impact dairy farming.
Barn hygiene and climate can influence hoof health, especially when it comes to infectious skin-related diseases. Ventilation, light, and dry floors all play a role in maintaining a clean environment. Regular foot baths and proper care extend beyond dairy cows. Dry cows and young stock also need attention to prevent infections from spreading. Explore how barn conditions and routine care contribute to overall hoof health.
Preventing hoof issues is better than treating them. Regular hoof care, combined with preventive measures like automatic spray bars or hoof baths, helps maintain healthy hooves. Explore how structured hoof care fits into daily farm management
Proper nutrition strengthens hooves and boosts disease resistance. A balanced diet, especially during transition, supports to prevent energy deficits that can affect hoof health. Read more about how feeding strategies can support strong hooves and overall cow resilience.
Marius van Laer
Healthy hooves lead to healthy cows, making farm operations not only more efficient but also more enjoyable.
Hoof care specialist
The great thing about this technology is that it integrates preventive care into the daily routine, without adding any work for the farmer
We had the privilege of welcoming Marius van Laer, an experienced hoof trimmer and hoof health advisor in the Benelux region, for an in-depth discussion on the importance of hoof health on dairy farming and how to communicate the value of focusing on hoof care to farmers. With years of hands-on experience (certified since 2012) Marius shared real-life examples of challenges and best practices in hoof care, emphasizing its critical role in animal well-being, farm productivity, and long-term herd health.
Marius pointed out that hoof health is often overshadowed by other priorities like fertility and udder health, largely because managing it, is not enjoyable for farmers to deal with. Many see hoof trimming as a hassle, making it easy to overlook early signs of issues. This oversight, also referred to as “company blindness,” means farmers may not fully recognize the severity of hoof health issues until they become critical.
Case study
”When cows hooves are in good health, everything just works better”
Product used
Meteor
Danish dairy farmer Hans Gejl knows how important hoof health is for keeping his cows and his business running smoothly. In this video, Hans shares how the Meteor automatic hoof sprayer helps him proactively prevent hoof problems without disrupting the cows' routine. Curious how automation can proactivly support healthier, happier cows? Watch the video and find out.
Disclaimer: Results have not been verified by Lely or an independent party. Your results may vary.
Read our latest articles
The evolution of robotic milking
For more than three decades, robotic milking has changed the way dairy farms operate. What began as an idea to reduce physical labor has grown into a smart system that supports farmers, cows, and long-term farm performance.
Early robotic systems were designed to solve one key challenge: how to milk cows safely and consistently without direct human involvement. Over time, these systems developed into reliable, data-driven tools that support free cow traffic, flexible working hours, and healthier herds.
Today, robotic milking is not only about efficiency. It is about creating a barn environment where cows can follow their natural rhythm, farmers gain insight from the data, and daily work becomes more sustainable and future-proof.
Continuous development of the automatic milking robot
Automatic milking technology has transformed dairy farming, but the journey is far from finished at Lely. The continuous development of the automatic milking system is at the heart of our innovation strategy. The Lely Astronaut continues to evolve year after year, driven by new knowledge, new technology and the daily challenges on farms. On the outside, the Lely Astronaut may look similar, but on the inside improvements are made every single year to keep our solution sustainable, profitable and enjoyable to work with. This proves that robotic milking is not a fixed product, but a continuously developing solution built to support farmers today and in the future.
Why farmers choose the Lely Discovery Collector
When it comes to barn hygiene, every farmer can recognise themselves in at least one of the following challenges:
- Labour shortages and succession planning – Skilled labour is hard to find, and automation offers a sustainable solution.
- Maintenance headaches – Conventional systems require frequent rope changes and repairs, costing time and money.
- Deep bedding stress – Managing sand or other bedding materials adds complexity.
- Limited cleaning with traditional scrapers – Corners and tight spaces often remain dirty, impacting hygiene.
The Lely Discovery Collector is developed to address these problems. Designed for barns where traditional systems can struggle, it combines robust engineering, intelligent operation, and reliability to clean practically every corner, even the hard-to-reach areas, day and night. For farmers who strive for consistent hygiene, healthier cows, and less manual labour, the Discovery Collector is the smart choice.
The first solution for dense barn floors: the Lely Discovery Collector
Keeping your barn clean is essential for cow health, milk quality, and overall farm efficiency. But what if your barn has dense floors, sand bedding, or irregular layouts? Traditional scraping systems often struggle in these conditions. That’s why Lely developed the Discovery Collector, the first manure robot designed specifically for dense barn floors.
This innovative solution combines robust engineering, intelligent operation, and proven reliability to deliver consistent cleaning in even the most demanding environments. It’s not just a manure collector, it’s a smarter way to supporting barn hygiene and cow comfort, contributing to cleaner conditions in all areas of the barn.
Why reliability and adaptability matter in automatic manure cleaning
If you’re considering automatic manure cleaning, two questions usually come first: “Will it work in my barn?” and “Will it keep working?” The Lely Discovery Scraper is built to answer both. With proven technology, robust design, and exceptional fit across different barn layouts, it’s a safe, smart step towards cleaner floors, healthier cows, and a more efficient routine.
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