Hoof health

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.

Prevention 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.

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.

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.