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Tips for Maximizing the Efficiency of Your Hoof Trimmer
By Vic Daniel, Proprietor of Vic's Custom Clips, St. Marys, Ontario (Copyright©)
Recently I had the honour of being chosen to act as Speaker for the newly formed Ontario Hoof Trimmers Guild representing 25 charter members at the first Ontario Conference for hoof trimmers in Stratford Ontario, June 16-17th 2006.
As a professional full time hoof trimmer for over 22 years now I have had the privilege of serving many types of herds with varying environments and farm management styles. From very old ties stall and free stalls, to state of the art barn designs, small herds and large. However, they generally have one common key, they aren't set up for the trimming of cows' hooves. They have every other cow comfort and management comfort financially and personally acceptable to the farm owner, but 7 times out of 10 the movement of cattle for this procedure could be improved.
In business time is money and the hoof trimmer is no different than the farm customers they serve. In the old days before the advent of newer technologies when many of us trimmed cows by hand 20-25 head was a big day and it would be a 2day commitment for a 40-50 cow herd. Now however, some farmers don't have the time to spend a part day if trimming can be done all in one day or, have to sort cattle on day 2 because the trimmer couldn't finish the allocated group. I would venture that the industry standard has moved up to 50-60 head per day capability with some trimmers able to do 100 cows. This means one herd per day or one group of cattle in a larger herd is trimmed. I'm always asked by good managers "Vic, what can we do to make this job easier?' Therefore, I put the following elements forward to make a successful trim day.
Location-it should be sheltered, clean, a power service plug(s) close by and with ample space to allow comfortable room for the hoof trimmer to work around the crate. My preference is a minimum of 3 feet on each side and the rear of the crate with the head gate exit space at 8 feet. This space allows the animal ample room to turn at their comfort. To tight a turn will cause animal injuries through slippage. Though newer crates or even older crates can have lights installed or hooked up, I would firmly recommend that the area have a couple of 250 watt halogen lights set up at each side pointed to create indirect lighting as not to blind or startle incoming animals, if dealing with an enclosed area. A large fan or open area to allow air movement to cool the trimmer and the cow is a big benefit for those hot muggy days. Set up a collapsible work shelf that the trimmer can put his wraps, blocks, tools etc. This makes a work- station for trim day. Once the farm owner and trimmer agree on this area, make it a permanent site for trim days.
Cattle Collection Site -If possible have a pen set up or a section in the free stall where a group of animals stand that would not be any longer than 2 hours from food or water. (In my case 16 animals) From the sorting area use a run alley to enter the hoof crate. This can be done with gates. In using gates, I recommend that the farm talk to their trimmer and examine at the permanent site see what length you need, and modify the gates to have an elevated leg extension of 16 inches at each end. The standard gate height unfortunately allows nervous animals the perception that they can jump over and they usually do. The extensions prevent most of that undesirable activity and keep the animal within the confines of the run (mostly).
Personnel - need to be calm, understand cattle movement and be trained in handling cattle to the crate. The hoof trimmer should as a rule never leave the chute(unless of course the farm is short of help) Free stalls generally require only one person once the cattle are sorted to keep the loading run full. Tie stalls, especially those where the cattle are always inside require a minimum of 2 people to handle bringing one cow in the run and returning the finished cow to her stall. Why you ask? Because tie stall cows don't want to co-operate and need one person to prevent or move them back when they enter the wrong stall and the other person keeps them moving to the empty stall. Smooth trimming occurs when the animals are not stressed prior to trimming, so if the barn crew gets the cow(s) upset unnecessarily, it carries right through into the trim chute. Always remember keep safety in mind at all times.
Flooring - or rather cattle traction -This is a priority in tie stall barns for cows with hard feet. They come out of the stall after a long stationery period onto the concrete walkway and chances are they are going to want to jump the gutter and land right on their backside or worse injure a leg. Take steps to ensure at the very least an ample supply of coarse floor grit (1 bag per 10 cows) is available and apply it to the walk. You can also purchase lightweight rubber mats and put them behind the cow exiting the stall. When she touches that rubber and feel it give and she will step out confidently onto the mats. Then move the mats down the row as you go (2 stall lengths of rubber or even used carpet). Even in free stall barns I use coarse grit entering the crate and exiting the crate that I supply as a courtesy. This helps prevent slippage by an animal balking going into the crate and help the cows stepping on the new foot angle for the first time as they exit the chute. Wood shavings are also an asset for traction and reducing barn or ammonia smell.
New Barn Designs- Here is the ultimate time to carefully reflect on protecting your investment and time management. Show your hoof trimmer your barn plans. Ask for their input. They want to provide your herd with the best service they can give and if they can point out a couple of angle or distance changes then please do so. Your builder must understand this is an essential area. The important keys here are simply easy access to unload the trim chute, allow cattle to enter a holding area or run that allows easy in and easy out back to water, food and stall. If it's an offset area from the dairy herd is the flooring adequate for cows to walk on. Are there posts to hang swing gates for ease in directing cattle? Is the area lit with as much natural light as possible? Check for placement of power outlets, 220 amp or 110-115 amp or best to do both, install a welder plug and GSI plugs.
Safety- Always warn the trimmer if there is an unruly or very nervous animal in the group and identify it on the head with a spray marker or write down the ID tag in the ear. Bulls in my view require the presence of the herdsman or the owner at the loading, trimming and exiting of the chute. Never allow bulls over 6 months of age to be done solo. Also a key point in safety is,if the trim location is next to the foot bath area, do not activate the bath the day before or day of the trim. This is especially true if you use a formalin or formaldehyde based solution. It makes us nauseas and makes it difficult to concentrate.
Cattle Selection- Most of my colleagues and I agree that the best thing is to trim all the cattle on the herd when the chute is set up (with the exception of animals with good looking feet being marketed for beef after 30-45 days of the trimmers visit). This keeps the herd in balance and the trimmer can understand when they revisit the herd, the re-growth and development of the feet since the last visit. However, I have herds that I have standing bi-monthly or weekly appointments where we do only selected cattle. Its best for the owner and or staff to prioritize cattle to be presented to the trimmer.
These priorities are;
(i) severely lame cattle
(ii) cows to be dried off
(iii)open cows who aren't pregnant
(iv) cows with a mobility score of 1-2
(v) overgrown hooves
The use of mobility scoring in my view is an essential communication tool between the farm and the trimmer. Both must work together to ensure a common vision of what examples each level, 1 is normal 2 is mildly lame, 3 is moderately lame, 4 is lame and 5 is severely lame. Animals scoring 4 and 5 are considered non-ambulatory and as such are not to be shipped to market in that condition. (visit www.zinpro.com for information on mobility scoring)
The average cost of lameness is now over $346.00 per case(US and Europe- Guard, Cornell University)
Research shows the impact of economic loss to the dairy farm via the mobility score:
Reduced milk yield (Juarez et al 2003, Appl. Anim. Behaviour Sci. 83:1)
At score 2 - a 2 % milk loss
At score 3 - a 4 % milk loss
At score 4 - a 9 % milk loss
At score 5 - a 15% milk loss
Reduced Fertility - cows scoring 3,4 and 5 are: (Sprecher et al 1997, Theriogenology 47:1179)
2.8 times more likely to have increased days to first service
15.6 times more likely to have increased days open
9.0 times more likely to have increased services per conception
Increased replacement costs: cows scoring a 3,4 or 5 are 8.4 times more likely to be culled and increased labour and medication costs to treat lame cows.
In conclusion to maximize your profits allow these tips to help you reap the benefits your hoof trimmer can provide. These conditions promote appreciation and extra effort on the part of any trimmer to deliver a service of excellence to your farm that will prevent the aforementioned consequences to negatively affect your bottom line. Work with a trimmers whose capabilities suit you farm. Remember hoof trimmers are like cows, they produce better when exposed to an environment positive to their well being. End.
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