Lameness can cause a ripple effect of health and safety issues across a dairy farm. The 2024 Hoof Management Workshop presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) will give hoof trimmers, herdspersons, nutritionists, veterinarians and others a deep dive into the prevention strategies, handling skills and treatment options that result in optimal hoof health on dairy farms of all sizes.
The one-day workshop will be held at Maier Farms LLC, 7085 Schumacher Rd., Waunakee Wis., Thursday, June 20. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the program concluding at 3:30 p.m. each day. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided for the entire workshop.
“Lameness is one of those challenges that affect just about every aspect of herd management,” said Cassandra Strupp, program manager with PDP. “Reproduction, production, animal wellbeing, cow throughput in the parlor and safety of team members are all impacted. The breakout sessions will sort attendees in three smaller groups for a close-up look at three very different components of hoof health. There will be discussions afterward with the whole group that will allow for even more idea sharing.”
The on-farm location provides a living case study for participants to explore the key factors that help ensure the longevity and productivity of dairy cows. The program will include a general session for all attendees to practice stockmanship skills. They will put theory into practical application while implementing handling skills in pens with dairy cattle.
Attendees will break into smaller groups to attend three sessions focused on the technical essentials of the footbath, identifying treatment options for chronically lame cows, and also discussing practices that create continuous improvements in hoof health to reduce the strain lameness places on cows and team members.
Workshop presenters include:
- Karl Burgi, founder of the Save Cows® Network, hoof care provider and hoof care consultant
- Ashlynn Kirk, program manager for the Humane Handling Institute, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- Dr. Laura Solano, DVM, PhD, assistant professor, Food Animal Production, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine