Livestock

Stop Foot Rot: Protect Your Cattle Profits

Foot rot can cost your herd performance and money. Learn how to recognize early signs, implement preventive measures, and apply prompt treatment to safeguard productivity and profitability.

AgroLatam USA
AgroLatam USA

Foot rot can lead to cattle lameness, resulting in lost performance and profitability, warns Patrick Davis, livestock specialist at University of Missouri Extension.

What is it & why now?
Foot rot occurs when bacteria like Fusobacterium necrophorum enter cracks in the hoof skin, often exacerbated by wet conditions in ponds, streams or manure-soaked areas during hot months.

Key risk factors include:

  • Moisture & skin damage from rough surfaces or prolonged standing in wet areas.

  • Deficiencies in trace minerals-particularly zinc, selenium, and copper-leading to weaker hoof and skin integrity.

Symptoms to watch for:

  • Lameness due to swelling and redness between hoof digits and near the coronary band.

  • Foul odor from necrotic lesions, worsening if untreated-leading to deeper hoof separation.

Economic impact:
Lameness reduces weight gain and fertility, directly affecting livestock productivity and profit margins.

Prevention strategies:

  • Optimize trace mineral intake: Ensure free-choice access to minerals rich in zinc, selenium, and copper to promote hoof and skin resilience.

  • Reduce exposure to wet and rough environments: Keep cattle off rocky or manure-saturated surfaces, and limit standing in ponds or streams.

Treatment essentials:

  • Immediate identification and veterinary guidance are crucial for recovery.

  • Clean the hoof, apply topical antimicrobials, and consider pain relief as prescribed.

  • Recovery is typically seen in 3-4 days; if no improvement, consult your vet promptly.

Prevention focused on minerals and environmental control, paired with early detection and swift veterinary action, are key to protecting both animal welfare and farm profitability.

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