Hoof disorders are a common problem in Danish dairy cattle, for which both the animal in question and the industry in general can pay a heavy price. A partnership between scientists, trade organisations and the agricultural industry is now set to try and overcome this problem via a new project funded by a grant from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries under the Innovation Law.

The foot disease Digital Dermatitis is a contagious inflammation of the skin around the hooves. It can be very painful for the animal. The disease is production-related and the first sign that a cow may have the disease can be lameness. The most effective way of treating and preventing the disease is better indoor hygiene and feeding regimes. But despite the industry’s assiduous attempts to eliminate the disease, it remains a considerable problem.

An alliance between scientists, trade organisations and commercial enterprises will now develop and test a prototype for an automatic system for hoof care.

- Our animals have to have a good life and we must show other countries that good animal welfare is the key to better food production. We also have to remain competitive in a global market where consumers and investors keep a watchful eye on the production of foods. I am therefore very pleased that scientists and hi-tech companies now collaborate on solving the problem of foot diseases in the Danish dairy herds, says the (then) Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Hans Chr. Schmidt.

Partnership between research and trade

The initiators of the project are the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Aarhus, the Danish Cattle Research Centre in Foulum, the Danish Cattle Federation and the commercial enterprises Aqua-Cleaner and DeLaval. They expect to be able to develop both a new automatic hoof care system and an improved hoof cleaning product.

Dissemination of new knowledge

The research results that are expected to derive from the collaboration will be published in Danish and international scientific journals. The results will also be made available to Danish milk producers and agricultural advisors. This will give the basis for more effective advice to agriculture on the prevention and treatment of hoof disorders in dairy cattle.

The project has been granted funds under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries’ Innovation Law, which aims to support development projects that have a high knowledge content, ensure high-quality foods, safeguard animal welfare and the environment and strengthen the competitiveness of the agrifood sector.

For further information please contact:

Project scientist Peter Thomsen, Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, telephone: +45 89991529, e-mail: PeterT.Thomsen@agrsci.dk .