Getting footbaths right

A good footbath routine can reduce infectious lameness and improve hoof health. A well-designed footbath, used correctly, helps protect both animal welfare and farm profitability. Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, tells us more.

Lameness in herds can have a large economic cost. It also causes stress for both the animals and the farmer. There are two main types of lameness. The first is physical damage to the hoof, such as white line disease and sole bruising. The second is infectious disease affecting the hoof.

Routine hoof trimming is an important part of maintaining herd hoof health. However, reducing the number of cows that require treatment is the long-term goal for every farmer. Physical hoof damage is usually caused by poor roadways, holding yards, cow exits and sheds. These areas should be repaired if they are contributing to lameness.

Infectious hoof disease is closely linked to farm hygiene, particularly in sheds and scraper passages. If infectious disease is a problem in your herd, a good footbath routine is essential. Every farm should have a properly designed footbath, especially when cattle are housed for the winter.

Designing an effective footbath

A footbath should be no longer than 3 m. Longer baths can become contaminated as cows walk through them. Pre-wash baths are no longer recommended. Cows often carry dirt into the treatment bath, reducing the effectiveness of the solution. A footbath that is too short is also unsuitable. Cows may not place all four feet in the solution, or some feet may only enter the solution once.

Many farms use footbaths but do not achieve the expected results. This is often because the footbath is poorly designed or the solution used is unsuitable.

Managing the footbath solution

As a guide, allow 1 litre of solution for every cow that passes through the footbath. A 200-litre footbath can therefore be used for 200 cow passes before the solution should be replaced. Using the solution beyond this point can reduce its effectiveness and may increase the spread of infectious disease because the bath becomes contaminated.

For most farms, this means replacing the solution after each milking. Farms with larger herds may need to empty, clean and refill the footbath during milking. The solution should be 10 to 15 cm deep. To calculate the volume of your footbath, multiply the length by the width by the depth, all in centimetres, and divide the result by 1,000. This gives the volume in litres.

The floor of the footbath should be level with the exit race to improve cow flow through the bath.

Establishing a routine

Some farms have a footbath but use it only occasionally. This is unlikely to control infectious disease. Foot bathing for two to three consecutive days each week can help reduce infection.

It is important to remember that footbathing helps prevent new cases of lameness. It will not cure a cow that is already lame. Lame cows should have their feet examined, lifted and treated. Footbathing is a preventative measure only.

Using the correct concentration

The concentration of the footbath solution is just as important as the routine. On some farms, the solution is mixed at too low a concentration to be effective. This wastes both time and money. Most products are used at a concentration of 2% to 4%. Always check the product label and make sure you are adding the correct amount. Knowing the volume of water in your footbath will help you mix the solution accurately.

Automatic footbaths

Some farmers now use automatic footbaths. These systems can be programmed with different chemical concentrations and count the number of cows that pass through them. Once the pre-set number of cow passes is reached, the system can automatically empty, clean and refill the bath with fresh solution. Many systems can also use two different chemicals. This improves flexibility and can make handling hazardous chemicals, such as formalin, safer for the operator. To install an automatic footbath, you will need a power supply, an air supply and access to water from a wash-down hose close to the installation site.