Some dairy producers gauge the impact of lameness by the number of cows requiring treatment, but Abbie Goldenberg with Farm Inc. believes that measure misses the bigger picture. Experts say better hoof bath management is what keeps cows healthy in the first place as noted in this article about proper footbath design and maintenance.
Aerica Bjurstrom with the University of Wisconsin-Madison advocates for:
- Hoof baths being at least 10 feet long so each hoof enters the solution twice.
- Solution depth being at least four inches ensures the dewclaws are submerged
- Changing the hoof bath solution after 150 to 350 cows pass through
Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 26, 2026. Link.
When managed correctly, hoof baths remain one of the best defenses against digital dermatitis and other hoof health challenges that contribute to lameness.”
INSIGHTS: For veterinary teams and dairy sales representatives, discussing hoof bath consistency is a prevention topic producers will appreciate. Use this article to open a discussion during farm calls. One priority is to ensure the mixing instructions are known and followed.
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