Blog
How to prevent hoof infections
Hoofmat Guide
The simple, cost effective way to treat cows hooves.
The importance of managing lameness
Effective management of lameness in cows, sheep and goats is essential for maintaining herd health, productivity, and welfare. Foot solutions play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of common hoof conditions such as foot rot, digital dermatitis, and sole ulcers. These solutions help to disinfect, protect and harden the hooves, reducing bacterial load and promoting healing. Regular use of foot solutions can significantly decrease the incidence of lameness, ensuring livestock remain mobile, comfortable, and able to feed and produce milk effectively. By preventing and addressing lameness promptly, farmers can improve animal welfare, enhance milk yield, and reduce veterinary costs, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and profitable dairy operation.
Why Hoofmat?
Hoofmats are a simple, cost-effective prevention aid for hoof infections. The Hoofmat does more than just bathe animals feet in solution or remedy. The design of the mat, combined with weight of the animal, creates an effect that pushes liquid vigorously into the animal’s foot and interdigital cavity of the hoof. This is one of the most significant reasons why Hoofmat treatment is so much more effective than usual footbath type treatments. Any remedy used in a footbath can be used more effectively and economically in a Hoofmat. This could be formalin, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate or a variety of patent remedies. Check with your Vet on their recommendations for remedy.
- Simple solution for prevention of hoofcare ailments
- Minimal waste – cost effective use of solution
- Easy to use – simply place at the entrance to the milking area
- Easy to clean
BOCCS Animal Complete Tattoo Kit (Small,Black)
Ensure accurate, permanent livestock identification with the BOCCS Animal Tattoo Identification Kit. Designed for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other livestock, this complete kit provides everything needed to create bold, easy-to-read identification marks that stand the test of time.
The lightweight 7-inch tattoo pliers are die-cast from durable aluminum for long-lasting performance and comfortable operation. Their spring-loaded design reduces hand fatigue during repeated use, while the ear release mechanism helps prevent blurred or double markings by securely holding the ear in place as the pliers open.
Each 5/16" number and letter is laser etched on the back for quick identification and faster digit changes, helping streamline your workflow during busy processing days. The polished tattoo needles penetrate the skin with minimal resistance, creating clean, consistent impressions.
The kit also includes 3 oz of premium pre-dispersed tattoo ink and an application
Features
- 1 lightweight die casted aluminum tattoo pliers 7" high (holds 5 digits)
- 10 Nitrile Gloves
- 10 numbers laser etched + 2 blank
- 26 letters laser etched +2 blanks
- (1) 3oz jar of black ink
- 1 Brush
- 2 replacement ink pads
- Ear release mechanism: Prevents blurred markings, by keeping the ear in place while the plier opens after you have made the imprint
California Castration Stainless Steel Bander & Bands (30 pk) Castration Banding Tool Only for Animal Cast（4.7″）
- 【Useful Tool】: Not only for other domestic animals such as lambs, calves and pigs but also for adult or larger animals
- 【Durable】: Stainless steel grip with high-quality rubber has good elasticity and contraction, which can quickly complete the operation
- 【Humanized Design】:The grooved grip design can effectively prevent the leather band with spacer from slipping off
- 【Easy to Operate】: Only need simple practice to get started, very easy for beginners, very cost-effective
- 【Product Includes】: A stainless steel grip, 30 sets of leather straps as well as spacers and prompt customer service
We advise using Hoofmats at the ENTRANCE to the milking platform (herringbone dairies will require two). This ensures that the treatment solution has adequate time to work - cows have their feet treated before standing quietly being milked. Hoofmats do not require securing to the floor. Simply place where required and pour on the remedy of your choice before commencement of milking. Top up the Hoofmats after 80-100 cows, or as required during milking.
To familiarise your cows with Hoofmat, so that its sudden appearance at the entrance to the milking area does not startle them, we strongly recommend laying the mats temporarily at the exit of milking, where the cows can see, smell and investigate them without disrupting milking. After passing by, or over, the mats 5 or 6 times, the cows become familiar and are not threatened by them. Mats can be filled with plain water, or with medication, over this period.
When mats are new, they can require a few days of use before they properly absorb their stated capacity. Do not place mats where cows can turn on them as this may reduce the life of the mat. After milking, simply hang your Hoofmat over a rail to drain, and hose off with fresh water.
