Implementing a footbath on your farm provides the opportunity to help the farm’s bottom line. Not only does a footbath save money, but it also lessens the amount of lame cows employees have to fetch, boosting morale in the workplace. In a recent article in The Ohio State Buckeye Dairy Newsletter, extension specialist Jason Hartschuh highlighted benefits of adding a footbath to your operation.
A cow is always on the move, whether that be a few trips to the parlor or multiple trips to the feedbunk in a day. Just like humans, if a cow has a sore foot, walking on it inflicts pain, ultimately making the pain worse. The cow is less likely to get up and make these trips, lowering dry matter intake and milk production. “Each case of lameness costs approximately $336.91 in lost milk production, treatment of lameness, reduced performance and, increased culling. For each additional week a cow is lame beyond the first signs of clinical lameness, this cost goes up by $13.26,” said Hartschuh.
Footbath basics
Results from footbaths will only be seen if they are used consistently. Not only does consistency make a difference, but so does the setup. A footbath should be a minimum of 10 feet long, with solution being 4 inches deep. “The minimum width a cow will pass through is 20 inches, but 24 inches for the footbath is better. Cows will move better through a footbath with solid walls at least 3 feet above the footbath and tapered outwardly at a 70-degree angle,” noted the extension specialist. Cows should only be able to walk single file through the footbath.
Footbaths are not one size fits all. If too many cows are passing through, manure can contaminate the footbath, making its effects useless. Although there is no set number on how many times a week a cow should encounter a footbath, it is recommended that they pass through at least three times a week. “Footbaths are effective for approximately 150 to 300 cow passes,” he cited. If hoof problems start to spread throughout the herd, you may want to consider implementing an additional footbath throughout the week.
What should I use?
There are many products that are advertised for use in footbaths, but only three have been scientifically proven. Copper sulfate, formalin, and zinc sulfate all have benefits when it comes to improving hoof health. “Copper sulfate is the best option due to its antibacterial properties and the hardening effect on the claw horn at a cost of about $42 per cow per year with four uses per week,” recommended Hartschuh. Be sure to maintain copper sulfate concentrations between 3% and 5%.
While formalin is a suspected carcinogen, it has been proven to kill bacteria and harden the claw horn. “Treatment concentrations of formalin should be maintained at 3% to 5%, with caution to not exceed 5% due to risk of chemical burn,” he said. Temperatures below 50°F may not allow formalin to work properly, though, making claw lesions heal more slowly than normal. Zinc sulfate isn’t as popular and is not as soluble but also serves as another option to control digital dermatitis. Keep zinc sulfate concentrations between 5% and 20%.
Incorporating footbaths on the farm presents the opportunity to help the farm’s bottom line by limiting lameness. Footbath use should be farm specific, so find the best way to reap its benefits on your farm. “Lowering the number of clinical and subclinically lame cows on the farm also boosts employee morale as they have fewer cows that don’t want to move, causing them to be frustrated,” noted Hartschuh.
