NutroChem Dairy Hoofcare

Seasonal Rainfall demands the need to look after your dairy herd’s hooves — fewer lame cows mean lower veterinary bills and improved milk production.

Lame cows that struggle to walk will show decreased performance, and the resulting loss in milk production can significantly impact revenue.

Understanding Summer Hoof Stress

Hot weather and hard-packed ground increase hoof wear and tear, while heavy rain and wet, muddy areas soften hooves, causing laminitis and foot rot.

Hoofcare Tips for Seasonal Rainfall

• Ensure cows have constant access to clean water. Dehydration increases laminitis risk.

• During warmer months, bacteria thrive — use footbaths 3–5 times per week.

• Keep kraals and cow housing clean and dry; manure build-up softens hooves and harbours pathogens.

• Wet bedding contributes to soft soles and heel erosion — maintain clean, dry bedding at all times.

• Maintain proper hygiene in the milking parlour to prevent cross-contamination.

Common Hoof Problems and Prevention

Problem	Cause	Prevention
Dermatitis	Wet, dirty environments	Regular footbaths and hygiene maintenance
Sole Ulcers	Poor flooring and long standing times	Ensure cow comfort and regular hoof trimming
White Line Disease (Claw Horn Lesion)	Poor nutrition, physical trauma (sharp objects, uneven surfaces)	Balanced diet, careful handling, clean and even walking surfaces

Signs That Cows Need Trimming

• Uneven gait (lameness)

• Reluctance to walk

• Arched back

• Decrease in milk production

Don’t wait too long to trim or treat hooves — early action keeps cows in the herd longer and maintains consistent milk output.

Footbath Management Tips

Footbaths are essential for treating and preventing dermatitis and foot rot, which can lead to laminitis. However, they must be managed correctly using registered and proven footbath chemicals.

Best Practices for Footbath Use

• Place the footbath where the herd walks frequently, such as at the dairy entrance or exit.

• Dimensions: 2.5–3 m long, 1 m wide, and about 15 cm deep for proper hoof coverage.

• Footbaths should be level and secure to prevent slipping.

• Ensure hooves are clean from dirt and manure before entering the treatment bath — ideally, provide a clean water bath first.

• Change the solution after every 150–200 cows.

• Clean and rinse the footbath thoroughly before refilling.

• Use footbaths at least 3–5 times per week during high-risk periods.

Introducing Doctor Hoof — Proven Footbath Technology

Doctor Hoof is a copper dinitrate-based footbath solution developed for superior hoofcare performance.

Why It’s Different:

• Copper dinitrate provides results similar to copper sulphate at lower concentrations, reducing environmental impact.

• More effective and user-friendly than formalin or standard copper alternatives.

• No formalin — avoids the harsh odour and irritation (eyes, nose, throat) associated with formalin exposure.

• Liquid formulation — highly soluble, easy to mix and apply.

• Introduces hoof-hardening agents directly to the hooves.

• No QACs or unwanted additives.

• Features enhanced contact technology that improves penetration of beneficial components.

• Non-bioaccumulative, ensuring environmental safety.

Key Features:

• Copper dinitrate – highly soluble

• Enhanced clinging technology

• Essential hoof-hardening composition

• Low in-use dilution

• Does not bioaccumulate

Usage Guidelines:

• Use a 1–3% dilution (10–30 ml per litre of water) for footbaths that wet only the hoof area.

• Dairy Cattle:

  • 3 L of Doctor Hoof per 100 L of clean water

  • Footbath dimensions: 100 cm wide × 300 cm long × 15 cm deep (±180 L volume)

  • Maintain good footing to prevent slipping

Doctor Hoof — Raising the Standard in Dairy Hoofcare.