Feet first: From the ground up

cattle hoof care

preventing lameness year round

from Animal Health Express

Lameness is a common disease in cattle, which has a negative impact on animals’ welfare. It is a symptom that can result from many different conditions, including sole ulcers, laminitis, slurry heels, foot-rot, digital dermatitis and others. Your animals can have constant pain and suffer a great deal. Reducing lameness among your cattle through proper hoof care is a crucial step to keep them happy and healthy. But it needs careful planning and commitment from you as a rancher.

HOOF CARE AND LAMENESS

Hoof health is essential for the overall health of the animal. When a cow develops a problem with a foot or leg, which would cause movement problems or limp, such a condition is called lameness. That includes any abnormality that impacts the way the animal walks. Lameness is a difficult problem to tackle. It is caused by conditions of legs and feet, environmental factors or diseases. But most of the cases of cows becoming lame are related to poor hoof care. Continued lameness often leads to the culling of the animal. Apart from that, this condition also leads to weight loss, lower milk production and lower fertility.

Check cattle often for early detection. Some animals might develop lesions, which could be changing depending on the season. If a cow develops lesions, those can be caused by infection or not be infectious. But even non-infectious lesions can become infected if they are continuously exposed to bacteria and dirt. Then you would need to give the animal antibiotics to treat the infection.

FACTORS IMPACTING LAMENESS

Lameness does not only happen because of poor hoof care, although this factor plays a crucial role in it. But there are also other things to consider when it comes to the environment, housing and animal factors. It is shown that cows are more at risk of becoming lame in the winter because of housing and wet weather, which is perfect for the breeding of bacteria. Another thing to pay attention to is housing. Cows housed in straw yards and at pasture tend to develop fewer lesions compared to the animals housed in concrete yards or on slats. Cattle on pasture or straw yards tend to spend more time lying down, and there is also less exposure to various bacteria.

Besides outside factors, there are also characteristics of the animal itself, which could have an impact on developments of lameness. It can depend on genes and breed of cows, their weight, feet pigmentation and age. You, as a rancher, also should pay special attention to cows shortly after calving. They spend more time standing, which might cause foot lesions and lead to lameness. Apart from that, as cows grow older, their risk of developing different foot diseases increases. This might translate into a higher risk for lameness.

HOW TO PREVENT LAMENESS WITH PROPER HOOF CARE

You need to have good hoof care practices to prevent lameness in cows. Before giving them any treatment, you need to identify the animals that have become lame recently. If you catch the condition early enough, it is easy to treat and also prevent the infection from coming back. Many factors could lead to the lameness of the animal and dairy cows have a higher incidence, but beef cows can also be affected. But with improper hoof care, cows end up walking with improper balance. When one or more of the hooves have to take the majority of the weight, they become unstable and more sensitive. That is why proper care is essential.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ANIMAL IS LAME

If you notice that an animal develops an abnormal gait, the chances are that one of its feet is lame. You will need to check the lame foot to find out the reason for the disease. With an early diagnosis, you can treat the lame cows and take care of the overall hoof health of the herd. Being able to identify the reason behind the lame foot is important because this way, you can choose the right treatment option for the animal. If you do not diagnose the problem correctly or postpone the treatment, this can cause chronic issues.

Some of the common issues that cause lameness include foot rot, a bacterial disease, hairy wart, a skin infection, laminitis or abscesses of soles. If you identify one of these issues in the animal, know that they have quite a high recovery rate. These diseases respond well to treatment with antibiotics, especially when discovered early. Finding these diseases later poses a risk for the condition to become chronic or for the animal to develop a secondary infection. Work with your vet to design and implement lameness treatment protocols that work best for your ranch.

2021 UTAH LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

“Treat the range like a lady,” is just one piece of advice Gilbert Yardley gave his son Steven.

For five generations the Yardleys have embraced a sacred stewardship for the land their livelihood depended on.

Best known for selling high quality beef cattle, the Yardleys know good livestock production begins with conservation practices that benefit the forage upon which their cattle rely.

“If we take care of the range, it will take care of us,” Gilbert said of grasses and shrubs that grow on their fragile desert range.

Gilbert, 87, is the patriarch of the family behind the Yardley Cattle Company, which oversees, assists in, and coordinates in the management of more than 60,000 acres of private and rental property, and adjacent federal land. Just as they do on their own land, the Yardleys work to maintain a thriving ecological balance with range conservationists from Utah State Trust lands, the federal Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service.

Their holistic and sustainable approach to range management, also applies to raising cattle and customer relations. In addition to a cow-calf operation, they sell high quality purebred Black Angus, Simmental and Maine Anjou cattle from coast to coast.

“You can do more damage in a year of overgrazing than you can make up for in a lifetime,” is another piece of fatherly advice Steven recalls. As a result, their herd’s size is reduced in seasons of drought. In extreme conditions they keep cattle off pastures to protect the landscape.

The Yardleys see managing natural resources as a science and an art; A science in learning, and an art in applying.

In partnership with others, they’ve rehabilitated thousands of acres of rangelands with controlled burns, removal of Juniper and Pinion trees and invasive brush, and reseeding with native grasses. Their work to stop the spread of Spotted knapweed in Garfield County has nearly eradicated the noxious weed. With the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Yardleys planted water-loving grasses in streambed riparian areas and installed protective fencing to prevent erosion.

By digging several water catchment ponds along a creek, the Yardleys improve water quality downstream by catching silt while providing a water source in otherwise arid locations. Livestock, wildlife, songbirds and amphibians are also provided water in far reaches of the ranch thanks to the development of 12 wells, eight pipelines and five springs that stand as oases in the desert.

The Yardleys are transitioning from windmills to solar panels to operate the wells. While both are sources of renewable energy, the panels are more reliable and have the ability to push water up pipelines.

As a former state FFA officer who now serves as the Western Rangelands Conservation Association Vice President, Steven aims to set a high example of what agricultural conservation and animal husbandry can achieve, despite agriculture’s vocal critics say.

Steven can trace his roots back to when his greatgreat-grandfather began raising cattle outside of Beaver in 1856, but he takes the most satisfaction in looking forward.

He thinks the most important work that takes place at Yardley Cattle Company is teaching children about the land, the plants on it and the animals that utilize them. It’s his way of passing along his family’s deep, abiding love for the land they ranch on, the water they manage and their western way of life.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE.

CONTROL AND TREAT BRD WITH LASTING CONFIDENCE.

Balance your BRD protocol and budget with Increxxa™ (tulathromycin injection) featuring tulathromycin, the macrolide antibiotic you can trust to help your cattle breathe easier by fighting BRD. The addition of Increxxa to the extensive Elanco cattle portfolio provides yet another way to help combat BRD and help optimize herd health, efficiency and profit. As with all Elanco products, you can breathe easier knowing Increxxa is held to the company's uncompromising standards for potency, uniformity and quality.

Indication: Beef and Non-Lactating Dairy Cattle: Treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, H. somni and M. bovis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (ISI)

Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to the drug. Increxxa has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older.

Increxxa, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco. PM-US-21-0268

38

(tulathromycin injection)

Injectable Solution

Antibiotic 100 mg of tulathromycin/mL

For use in beef cattle (including suckling calves), non-lactating dairy cattle (including dairy calves), veal calves, and swine. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Before using Increxxa, please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows:

INDICATIONS Beef and Non-Lactating Dairy Cattle

BRD – Increxxa Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis; and for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. IBK – Increxxa Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) associated with Moraxella bovis. Foot Rot – Increxxa Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of bovine foot rot (interdigital necrobacillosis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Porphyromonas levii.

Suckling Calves, Dairy Calves, and Veal Calves

BRD – Increxxa Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, H. somni, and M. bovis.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Cattle

Inject subcutaneously as a single dose in the neck at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg (1.1 mL/100 lb) body weight (BW). Do not inject more than 10 mL per injection site. Table 1. Increxxa Cattle Dosing Guide

Animal Weight (Pounds) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Dose Volume (mL)

1.1 2.3 3.4 4.5 5.7 6.8 8.0 9.1 10.2 11.4 See product insert for complete dosing and administration information.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The use of Increxxa Injectable Solution is contraindicated in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to the drug.

WARNINGS FOR USE IN ANIMALS ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. NOT FOR USE IN CHICKENS OR TURKEYS.

RESIDUE WARNINGS

Cattle

Cattle intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 18 days from the last treatment. This drug is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows.

PRECAUTIONS Cattle

The e ects of Increxxa on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Subcutaneous injection can cause a transient local tissue reaction that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter.

ADVERSE REACTIONS Cattle

In one BRD field study, two calves treated with tulathromycin injection at 2.5 mg/kg BW exhibited transient hypersalivation. One of these calves also exhibited transient dyspnea, which may have been related to pneumonia.

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store below 25°C (77°F), with excursions up to 40°C (104°F). 100 mL: Use within 2 months of first puncture and puncture a maximum of 67 times. If more than 67 punctures are anticipated, the use of multi-dosing equipment is recommended. When using a draw-o spike or needle with bore diameter larger than 16 gauge, discard any product remaining in the vial immediately after use. 250 mL and 500 mL: Use within 2 months of first puncture and puncture a maximum of 100 times. If more than 100 punctures are anticipated, the use of multi-dosing equipment is recommended. When using a draw-o spike or needle with bore diameter larger than 16 gauge, discard any product remaining in the vial immediately after use.

HOW SUPPLIED

Increxxa (tulathromycin injection) Injectable Solution is available in the following package sizes: 100 mL vial 250 mL vial 500 mL vial To report suspected adverse drug events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet, contact Elanco at 1-800-422-9874. For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae. Approved by FDA under ANADA # 200-666 Product of China. Manufactured by: Elanco US Inc, Shawnee, KS 66216 Increxxa, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its a liates. ©2021 Elanco. PM-US-21-0268 February, 2021