40 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | February 2024 Livestock is a higher overall risk in the spring in the western part of the country, related to the muddiness being worse. In Ontario, where cattle are indoors, we don’t have as clear of a picture if that risk factor is the same here.” Miltenburg adds, “In Ontario, pens with wet conditions have more risk of breaking down the skin barrier and slick or abrasive floors will increase that as well. Time standing, access to lying space and stocking density also play a role.” Schwartzkopf-Genswein says that nutritional risk factors also play a role in non-infectious lameness. “You can see a risk factor with diets that are lower in forage. There is an increased risk of laminitis related to acidosis and digestive disorders,” says Schwartzkopf-Genswein. “Another dietary risk factor could be not feeding trace minerals. Some studies have shown positive effects of trace minerals on rate of healing, skin integrity and immune response.” Schwartzkopf-Genswein explains that it is likely impossible to completely prevent lameness but there are some steps that can be taken to manage risk factors. “We have to accept that it’s probably impossible to prevent lameness entirely because sometimes you can’t control environmental conditions as much as you want. You can only do so much in terms of bedding,” says Schwartzkopf-Genswein. “Make sure pens have proper drainage, make sure that calves aren’t standing in puddles of water in a pen and provide ample bedding so they aren’t walking through mud. Research has shown that in mud depth greater than five centimetres, animals were twice as likely to become lame.” Miltenburg adds that low-stress handling and working with nutritionists and vets are also important in prevention. “Some conditions including toe tip necrosis are related to rough handling and it also increases foot abrasions and risk of injury,” says Miltenburg. She also recommends discussing options for vaccination and preventative foot baths with the herd veterinarian. Concerns about laminitis and dietary risks should be discussed with a nutritionist. Prevention of lameness is important for ensuring the overall health and welfare of calves in the feedlot. It also has economic implications. In a study from Western Canada, Schwartzkopf-Genswein says they found differences in the costs to finish healthy and lame animals. “For a healthy animal at about 600 kilograms, it was about $710 per animal to take them to finish, but a lame animal was about $860. The study was really specific to foot rot,” says Schwartzkopf-Genswein. By accounting for risk factors, catching lameness early and preventing it where possible, feedlot producers can improve calf health and performance while saving money associated with treatments and longer days on feed. BF Make sure pens have proper drainage. Research shows that animals are twice as likely to become lame in mud depth greater than five centimeters. Stefonlinton/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo The advertisers you see in this magazine are the top companies in our farming community. They appreciate your business! WE LOVE OUR ADVERTISERS
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