The dairy business is carried on cows’ hooves. Digital dermatitis (DD, also known as hairy warts, strawberry warts) remains the number 1 cause of lameness in dairy herds with increasing concern among feedlot cattle. Hoof trimmer Jamie Sullivan suggests DD remains prevalent due to the way we have been trying to prevent or treat the lesions in the first place. He shares research results on the effect of lowering footbath pH on claw health and DD.
Source: Progressive Dairy, January 17, 2020. Link. Keeping your prefresh heifers free from DD with proper nutrition and footbaths if needed is a crucial part to controlling DD. If you combine a good heifer program and continued prevention, including footbaths during the dry-off and transition period, you can dramatically decrease the overall cost of the herd’s prevention efforts and improve results.
INSIGHTS: Dairy producers will appreciate Sullivan’s thinking and guidance. Consider sharing the information in a targeted email campaign and include the article during the required semi-annual VFD reviews on farms.