A well-managed footbath is an effective line of defense against digital dermatitis and foot rot. “You can get yourself out of a bad situation with a footbath,” Roger Olson, dairy specialist with Zinpro Performance Minerals, says.
The purpose of the footbath is to disinfect the feet for the prevention of infectious lesions, but Olson identifies a few common reasons why it may not be doing its job.
Footbath troubleshooting
Not all footbaths are created equal. In fact, a poorly managed one can actually increase foot health problems in a herd. Olson identifies three reasons why a footbath might not be serving its intended purpose:
- Poor design
- Weak solutions
- Inconsistent use
Poor design
The purpose of the footbath is for the cow’s feet to be dunked into the solution as she passes through; however, in a poorly designed bath, this critical function may not be achieved.
One of the most common design flaws Olson sees is baths that are too short. For example, only about 50 percent of rear feet are dunked as cows pass through a bath that is 6 feet long; on the other hand, if the bath is extended to 10 feet, 100 percent of the rear feet are dunked more than two times each.
Generally speaking, longer baths tend to work better. The ideal footbath should be 10 to 12 feet long and 18 to 24 inches wide.
While the length is one critical factor, Olson reminds dairymen not to overlook the height of the step. A higher step also increases dunks.
Research shows more rear feet dunks with a 10-inch step rather than a 5-inch step, even when baths are the same length. “Length is huge, but step height can’t be undersold,” he adds.
When designing a footbath, make it user-friendly by asking yourself these questions: Is it easy to clean? Is it easy to fill? Is it easy to drain?
Weak solutions
When it comes to mixing the correct concentration of solution, Olson says, “Close is not close enough.” An effective footbath is mixed according to labeled directions and refreshed as needed during use to provide maximum benefit. If the footbath is dirty, the solution cannot do its intended job.
Setting up a pre-mixing system makes it easier for workers to deliver the right concentration of solution accurately and safely. Some farms use a small bulk tank or plastic tank with an agitator to mix the solution and connect PVC pipes with valves directly to the bath for consistent mixing and easy delivery.
Inconsistent use
It is important to run the footbath year-round, including during winter months. Though mixing and filling can present challenges when temperatures drop, it is worth the effort to be consistent.
On farms that Olson visits, a quick glance at the herd records tells him when footbath use stopped. “Within two weeks, warts are way up,” he adds.
To determine a schedule of how frequently cows need to go through the footbath, Olson assesses the cleanliness of the cows. For example, herds with half or more of their cows scored “3” (moderately dirty) or “4” (very dirty) should go through a bath five days a week, while those with less than half of the cows in that range may only require footbathing two days each week or fewer.
Most herds Olson sees benefit from footbathing three to five times each week.
Options for footbath solutions
There are several products on the market for use in footbaths, each with advantages and disadvantages. Olson suggests weighing out the options based on three factors specific to your operation: economics, effectiveness and environmental impact.
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Copper sulfate: This is one of the less expensive options, yet it has been shown to effectively control infectious claw lesions. It is an antibacterial solution with a hardening agent that can be mixed into a solution somewhat easily.
Copper sulfate is also available in an acidified version. Be cautious, however, that dropping the pH too low can reverse the benefits, resulting in increased incidence of foot rot and chronic warts. The biggest drawback is its disposal. Copper presents environmental concerns when applied to land.
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Formaldehyde: Known for its effectiveness at reducing the incidence and severity of claw lesions, formaldehyde is also one of the least expensive footbath solutions. In a diluted form, its disposal does not create an environmental hazard.
However, there are major concerns for those handling this suspected carcinogen. Workers should wear eye protection and mix formaldehyde in a well-ventilated area. Great care must be taken to mix for proper strength; at too strong of a concentration, the solution can be harmful to the skin of the cow’s foot and teat ends.
- Zinc sulfate: Some research suggests this solution to be effective at controlling infectious claw lesions when used at 10 to 20 percent. As opposed to copper sulfate, zinc sulfate can actually produce benefits when applied to cropland, especially for corn.
Do you need a wash bath?
“Absolutely not,” Olson says. It is not necessary to set up two baths, one for washing and the other for treating. A treatment bath alone is sufficient. In fact, a wash bath can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment by diluting the solution and reducing contact on the wet foot.
Olson offers additional tips for integrating a footbath into an overall program for better hoof health:
- Keep cows clean to reduce the need for footbaths.
- Keep heifers’ feet clean to prevent problems as they come into the milking herd.
- Track warts and infections using herd management software. PD
This presentation is from the UW Extension Dairy Cattle Hoof Care Seminar held in Kimberly, Wisconsin, on Dec. 9, 2015.
ILLUSTRATION: Illustration by Sarah Johnston.
