Learn How to Keep Your Cows Walking at Series of MSU Hoof Care Workshops
10/29/09
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Lameness, thin soles, heel warts, hoof rot, ulcers, and blown-out coriums -- these are all diagnoses that make dairy producers cringe. They know that a cow diagnosed with any of these ailments isn’t maximizing her potential for milk production or reproductive efficiency, and most importantly, is hurting the farm’s bottom line.
In today’s economically challenging dairy climate, it’s more important than ever for herd owners to prioritize hoof care in the dairy’s health program. Feet and leg problems contribute to already declining profit margins on dairies and are often cited as a primary reason for culling animals from the herd.
A series of upcoming “Healthy Hooves: The On-Farm Edition” workshops organized by the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Dairy Team will teach producers how they can improve feet and leg health and performance in their herds.
Karl Burgi, director of Dairyland Hoof Care Institute in Baraboo, Wis., will cover a variety of topics during the interactive on-farm session, including how to identify lame cows and the roles cow comfort and nutrition play in reducing cow stress. There will also be a trimming demonstration and tips on low-stress cow handling practices. In addition to operating the Dairyland Hoof Care Institute, Burgi is a full-time hoof trimmer, designs upright hoof trimming chutes, and travels throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia conducting hoof health and lameness clinics.
Workshops will be held Dec. 1-4 at locations across the state. Each workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is limited to 45 people at each workshop location.
The dates, locations and contact persons for the workshops are:
** Dec. 1 at Trierweiler Dairy (9123 Grange Rd., Portland); contact Faith Cullens, Clinton County MSU Extension dairy educator, 989-224-5249.
** Dec. 2 at WRL Daniels Dairy (8189 Prescott Rd., Whittemore); contact Phil Durst, Oscoda County MSU Extension dairy educator, 989-826-1160.
** Dec. 3 at Koster Dairy Farm (1871 S. 7 Mile Rd., Falmouth); contact Kathy Lee, Missaukee County MSU Extension dairy educator, 231-839-4667.
** Dec. 4 at Bradford Dairy Farm (11435 Sparta Ave., Sparta); contact Bill Robb, Ottawa County MSU Extension dairy educator, 616-846-8250.
A $25 per person registration fee includes lunch and all meeting materials. The registration deadline is Nov. 23.
Dairy producers, heifer-raising operators, farm employees, veterinarians, nutritionists and farm consultants are encouraged to attend.
To register or receive more information about the workshops, please call one of the MSU Extension dairy educators listed above.
Sponsors for the “Healthy Hooves: The On-Farm Edition” workshops are Van Beek Nutrition, Zinpro Performance Minerals, Animart and local hoof trimmers.
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