Heat stress ups risk of laminitis for milk producers

Milk producers should be on the lookout for early signs of sole ulcers or laminitis over the coming weeks as the effects of July’s heatwave kick in.

There will be more lame cows this winter, reckons Somerset-based foot trimmer Steve Paul. Cows that didn’t have enough shade and spent too long standing in the sun, or that suffered a drop in forage intakes, are most at risk, he says:

“Anything that causes a cow stress is eventually seen in their feet. On my visits to dairy herds in Spain, laminitis after heat stress is a common problem.”

The lack of grazing and a drop in forage intakes will have caused acidosis in some herds, which, in turn, will lead to laminitis and sole ulcers, adds Kingshay’s Rob Mintern.

Density levels

To maintain cow condition and yields, some producers upped energy density levels in diets, but the downside was a drop in buffering capacity, he explains.

Mr Mintern believes producers would have been better trading off a short-term drop in milk yield for healthy feet. Once cows are lame they are less likely to go to the feed fence and won’t stand if bulling.

While there is nothing producers can do now to prevent laminitis from developing, as a result of this summer’s management, he believes they can help reduce its effects.

“Check feet when cows come through the parlour. Laminitis works down the front of the claw from the coronary band at the top of the foot and is seen as rings on the horn.

“Regular footbathing is key to control – start now and do it weekly. Copper sulphate or formalin will help harden feet before cows are housed and spend more time on concrete.

Hard feet mean there is less chance of a stone getting in the foot, claws splitting or infection in the white line. You can also catch sole ulcers early by doing a preventative foot trim now.”

Next year, he suggests producers ensure sufficient forage supplies to better supplement cows through any periods of drought or heat stress.

In addition, Mr Paul says cubicle housing should be available to cows where there is a lack of natural shade such as hedges or trees.