Page 25 - Livestock Matters - Spring 2014

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F A R M S K I L L S
SPRING 2014 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
24
Why not visit our new FarmSkills
website
www.farmskills.co.uk
for further information on our
workshops and to see what
courses are running in your area.
If you would like information
please contact the FarmSkills
team on
01765 608489
.
Our herdsman workshops cover:
l
Normal bovine locomotion and relate
this to DairyCo mobility score.
l
Recognise lameness and grade
severity.
l
Understand the theory of the
‘Dutch method’.
l
How to safely restrain a cow and pick
up feet using a foot crush.
l
How to apply the theoretical knowledge
of preventative trimming practically.
l
Know when and how to apply medical
treatments or seek specialist/veterinary
attention.
l
Know when and how to apply blocks.
l
Practically reinforce the key anatomical
and physiological principles and relate
this back to the practical application of
the ‘Dutch method’.
l
Recognise the causes of foot lameness
in cattle (sole ulcer, white line separation
and abscess, digital dermatitis,
inter-digital necro-bacillosis, heel
erosion, inter-digital hyperplasia).
l
Describe the basic aetiology of sole
ulcer and white line disease and relate
this to anatomy and physiology and
the specific risk factors for claw
horn disease.
l
Describe Dutch curative foot trimming
theory and relate this to lameness
aetiology and the anatomy and
physiology learned.
l
List the key features of bovine foot
anatomy and relate these anatomical
features to key aspects of physiology -
blood supply, normal claw horn
growth and overgrowth.
Alongside an action plan for your herd
devised by your vet, FarmSkills offers a range
of foot trimming and lameness workshops
across the UK from basic herdsman level
through to professional standard which train
farmers in initial recognition and lameness
grading to trimming and treatment. Our
workshops are practical and led by our highly
qualified and experienced trainers. All our
courses run on farm so you get hands-on
experience of hoof trimming and care under
the best supervision possible.
Trainees will be taught how to identify normal
bovine locomotion and the important
anatomical features of the bovine foot along
with their relation to basic physiological
function. Using this knowledge delegates will
be able to describe the four stage Dutch foot
trimming method and relate each step to key
physiological principles.