Take Control of Your Herd’s Foot Health

Dr. Sarel van Amstel, BVSc, Dip Med Vet, M Med Vet, Diplomat ACVIM By Rudy Pooch Lameness is an important economic problem in all sectors of the cattle industry. One of the main problems is laminitis that leads to changes in claw conformation and results in chronic lameness, weight loss, reproductive losses and early culling. Subacute/subclinical laminitis, mostly seen in cattle, is a systemic disease in which the foot is one of the main targets because it’s extremely vascular and has a rich nerve supply. Infl ammatory mediators and endotoxins cause disruption in horn growth, alterations in blood fl ow and stimulation of pain receptors leading to pain and lameness. Laminitis is a multifactorial condition associated with nutrition, body weight, claw conformation and size and normal weight distribution. In general, healthy feet are highly dependent on normal rumen fermentation. Dr. Sarel van Amstel

Structure and Weight Distribution

The foot consists of two digits, and at the end of each digit, is a claw. The “medial” is the inner claw, while the “lateral” is the outer claw. In a perfectly normal back foot, the outside claw is slightly bigger than the inside claw and bears more weight than the inside claw. Most often, lameness will occur in the outer claw, particularly in the back legs. More weight being placed on the outside claw makes this area susceptible or prone to concussion due to weight-bearing forces.

The back legs are a rigid, boney system going through the pelvis. There’s not much fl exibility between the outside and inside claws. In the back legs, the normal weight distribution ratio of a heifer is 60:40 between the outside and inside claw.

The front legs are a muscular structure attached through the chest, allowing them much more fl exibility between the two claws than the back legs. The weight distribution ratio is 50:50, although the medial claw bears slightly more weight than the back under normal conditions.

The third phalanx (P3) is located inside the foot. On the outside of P3 is the horn structure of the claw. It’s suspended within the claw by ligaments including the distal cushion and normally gives when the animal walks. “When it bears weight, the P3 doesn’t sink down evenly. It sinks down more to the inside and causes concussion and bruising to the corium. This is the most common site for sole ulcers,” said Dr. van Amstel, retired professor in the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Nutrition

Nutritionally, many diff erent factors can contribute to laminitis including incorrect fi ber to grain ratio. For example, many producers in the Midwest run cattle on harvested cornstalks during the fall and winter months. Cattle load their rumen with whole corn, a highly fermentable

carbohydrate, eventually leading to rumen acidosis. This has a large impact on the blood supply in the foot and laminitis begins to develop.

Rumen acidosis causes infl ammation and production of endotoxin, which reduce the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Formation of keratin, which are intracellular fi laments acting as a support scaff old in the cell partially fail. Claw horn becomes softer. Softer feet bend more easily as weight is applied. When more weight is applied to the outside wall of the foot, it begins to roll or curve inward causing lameness. “Rumen health and foot health go hand-in-hand,” said van Amstel. “A healthy rumen is dependent on a good, quality roughage. Hay needs to be no shorter than an inch.” Structured roughage in the rumen stimulates receptors in the wall of the rumen.

“If it is chopped or milled too fi ne, those receptors won’t be stimulated. Cattle will not chew their cud suffi ciently and saliva will not be produced in suffi cient quantities,” explained van Amstel. Saliva is the main component that buff ers the acid that has been produced by fermentation in the rumen. Lack of saliva leads to acidosis, poor blood circulation and laminitis.

If you are preconditioning cattle to laminitis, such as running cattle on cornstalks where they can develop acidosis, look at your trace minerals. Copper, zinc and biotin are very important for the formation of keratin. Keratin’s role inside the cell is similar to scaff olding, making the cell strong. Supplementing these trace minerals will help combat acidosis and ensure quality keratin growth for healthy feet.

In a situation like running cattle on cornstalks, it’s best to use chelated minerals. Chelated minerals are trace minerals that have been attached to an amino acid which is an organic compound and have high bioavailability. “In the gut, chelated mineral formulation will be absorbed best. For example, zinc oxide may have a low bioavailability compared to some of the chelated forms. You may have a normal book value of zinc levels, but that does not mean that’s what the animal is going to absorb depending on formulation,” said van Amstel.

Screw claw is a heritable defect that causes severe lameness in cattle when the outer wall of the hoof curves like a corkscrew. Improper weight distribution places parts of the foot sidewall in direct contact with the ground, causing lameness due to the development of a sole ulcer or white line disease.

Laminitis Versus Screw Claw

Laminitis has often been mistaken as screw claw when purchasing cattle. Screw claw is a heritable defect that causes severe lameness in cattle when the outer wall of the foot curves like a corkscrew. Observed in young cattle around 10-11 months of age, the claw begins to curve and eventually twist like a corkscrew. This improper weight distribution places parts of the foot sidewall in direct contact with the ground causing lameness through development of sole ulcer or white line disease.

“Claw curving or twisting in laminitis usually manifests later, around two to three years of age,” said van Amstel. “Laminitis is a chronic disease and symptoms of systemic disease are usually absent,” he said. In recently calved cows, sole hemorrhages may be seen which may progress to other sole and horn lesions such as sole ulcer, white line disease and other horn lesions denoting a poor-quality horn such as vertical and horizontal wall cracks. Compared to screw claw, laminitis is not heritable, although heritable laminitis was reported in the Jersey breed. Laminitis is a nutritionally and environmentally induced disease. It’s primarily related to nutrition and systemic problems such as mastitis and metritis and aggravated by weight bearing,” emphasized van Amstel.

“Heritable screw claw is based on an abnormal angle of P2 and P3 bones inside of the foot which should be straight. When P3 is slightly angled toward the inside, the weight and pressure on the outside claw wall is going to be more than normal. The wall, particularly at the heel, will turn inward and curve similar to laminitis,” said van Amstel.

“Rumen health and foot health go hand-inhand. A healthy rumen is dependent on a good, quality roughage.”

Horizontal “hardship” grooves run across the toe can be used to depict laminitis. “It almost causes a ‘ripple eff ect’ if you look at the top part of the toe,” he said. “It shows that there have been interruptions of horn growth because of laminitis. Foot quality can also be a factor to observe, such as if the foot is not smooth or is peeling. This can be a result of cattle with zinc and copper defi ciencies.”

Husbandry

Exercise is very important to maintain the blood circulation in the foot. Cattle must be provided enough space to do so. Placement and size of feed bunks are also important to note. “If the feed bunk is too high or wide, the animal must propel their body forward, twisting their feet to the outside in reach of food. Over time, the added pressure to the inside of the claw causes it to roll,” said van Amstel.

“These days, we see a lot of foot warts,” said van Amstel. Foot warts are a disease contracted in muddy, slurry conditions. The area around feed bunks and bale feeders often serves as a breeding ground for foot warts. “In past years, we are seeing more foot warts. It can be a huge problem in feed yards when cattle are standing in slurry conditions. I usually recommend adding a foot bath in situations where animals are really exposed to slurry,” concluded van Amstel.

by Tiffany Watkins, JRA President

Join us as we interview a mystery guest about their experiences of being involved in junior programs.

What roles did 4-H and/or FFA play in your leadership development?

4-H and FFA were valuable in my leadership development. It started with 4-H demonstrations, livestock judging and showing steers. Later, I became more active in FFA with numerous activities. I was able to observe many great leaders who got their start in FFA and I wanted to be like them. Parliamentary Procedure, FFA Camp, livestock judging and National FFA Convention were a few of my activities during that time. I served as chapter vice president and later as president. I was fortunate to win the Southern Region Profi ciency in Beef Cattle Production and received my American FFA Degree. Without question, my experience in 4-H and FFA laid the foundation for much of my career. Mystery Guest

What were some activities you were involved in during college, and how have those experiences helped you professionally? When you were in college, what skills or attributes do you think made you a good candidate for an internship or job?

● A good attitude ● Showing up on time ● Being humble ● Willingness to learn ● Dedication to doing good work

What life skills did you learn through showing or being around animals that have shaped your career?

Growing up raising livestock teaches us valuable skills and pays dividends throughout our life. The knowledge and dedication necessary to become a “true stockman” that provides stewardship to their animals can build success in all aspects of our life. Even after a lifetime of raising livestock, I still get excited every calf season. Watching the calves grow and develop is really gratifying. It’s even more special to see the consistency of cow families and sire lines through the years.

During my undergraduate program. I was involved in the meats and livestock judging teams and Block and Bridle Club. The ability to analyze situations, make decisions and justify those decisions are among the most valuable skills I developed in college. In graduate school, I coached the livestock judging team because I wanted to help others have this experience. Coordinating the activities of an intercollegiate judging team taught me organizational skills as well.

In addition, I was active in FarmHouse Fraternity and served as Chapter President. This time was valuable because I learned how to work with people from diverse backgrounds. I became adept at setting goals, eff ective communication and confl ict management. The relationships built during that time are still strong and I’m confi dent that I could call on them for support at any time.

Describe how you got involved with Red Angus?

I’ve always liked red cattle even during my youth growing up with Simmental. Most of those cattle were gold/tan during that era. I remember looking at an NBI semen catalog and

Connect with JRA!

The Junior Red Angus Association, the junior affi liate of the RAAA, strives to equip and prepare all members to be leaders, innovators, stewards and advocates for the Red Angus breed, the beef industry and agriculture. The JRA membership actively participates in industry events, conferences and workshops designed to develop members’ critical thinking, leadership and production skill sets. Additionally, the JRA strives to nurture enthusiasm for the beef industry and agriculture, while promoting networking and education.

For more information on the Junior Red Angus Association of America and how youth can get involved in the Red Angus breed, visit RedAngus.org or call Kim Heller, Director of Education and Junior Programs at (515) 851-2019 or kim@redangus.org. 2021-2022 JRA Board of Directors

Website: redangus.org/jra Facebook: juniorredangus Instagram: juniorredangus Snapchat: juniorredangus

saw the featured progeny of a Red Angus bull. They were red blazefaced calves from yellow spotted Simmental cows. Interestingly, the calves in the NBI catalog belonged to Pelton Red Angus/Simmental. Many years later, I purchased two open Red Angus heifers from Lynn and Sue Pelton to start my Red Angus journey. It’s a small world.

How did you get involved in service to the Red Angus Association and why?

My involvement with RAAA service started with serving on our state affi liate board and later as president. I participated in the Young Breeders Meeting in Denver which allowed me to meet other breeders and gain more knowledge about the RAAA mission. Later, I attended Young Guns and continued to gain experience about the association. Several members approached me about RAAA Board service. I told them I was interested but I was too busy at

that time. They persisted and I was elected as a Regional Director in 2011. Later, I served on the Executive Committee and as President. Serving on the RAAA Board has been a great experience and I have grown personally and professionally. It requires a signifi cant time commitment, but it is worth it. Red Angus stakeholders have treated me with acceptance and respect from my fi rst interactions. I wanted to serve because of the people and because I believe in the RAAA mission and wanted to contribute to our success.

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Do not worry when things don’t happen according to your plans. Be patient. Enjoy the journey that lies ahead of you.

What are three reasons you would encourage young people to get involved with the Junior Red Angus Association?

● Gaining industry knowledge ● Developing leadership skills ● Building relationships

That’s some great advice!

Do you have an idea of who was our mystery guest?

Use this link to enter your guess and be eligible to receive a Red Angus logoed gift: https://bit.ly/JRAmystery