Reducing Lameness in Cattle & Sheep (Islay)

Islay livestock farmers & crofters attended this meeting which included a practical demonstration of cattle foot trimming along with discussion and presentations about reducing lameness.

Some key points were;

• Cattle laminitis can be caused by rations with large amounts of high energy feed (such as during preparation for bull sales) and sudden changes in feeding. A balance of forage and concentrates is required in the diet.
• Bull sperm takes 60 days to mature and any interruption, such as lameness or foot-trimming, could affect sperm quality. Therefore foot trimming should be 10 weeks before the breeding season.
• The bacteria causing sheep footrot can survive 10 days on pasture and 6 weeks in affected hoof trimmings.
• Footrot, Scald and CODD (Contagious ovine digital dermatitis) are all contagious and spread by dirty trimming equipment and handling pens. Lame sheep should be segregated from the flock while treated.
• Keep records of animals treated for lameness and cull repeat offenders.

Lameness has economic costs from reduced production and fertility, labour costs from treatment time plus welfare and potential cross-compliance issues. Keeping records will identify any farm problem and so appropriate management actions can be made.