Understanding causes of lameness and how to diagnose and treat those conditions is important to beef industry professionals for animal well-being and financial reasons. Beef cattle producers, feedlot operators, veterinarians and others who want to increase their knowledge are invited to attend a two-day Master Hoof Care school offered by Iowa State University Aug. 23-24 at Amana Farms in Amana, Iowa.

HEALTHY FEET: For feedlot cattle or cow herds, understanding how to diagnose and treat lameness and keep their feet in good shape is important for maintaining the health of animals and for financial reasons.

Dr. Jan Shearer of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will be presenting the two-day course, which begins with a morning lecture at 3225 Highway 6, Homestead. The morning lecture and discussion sessions will be followed by a 1½-day laboratory that will take place at 2595 F15 Boulevard, Amana.

“All participants in the lab and chute-side sessions will receive a copy of the ‘Lameness in Cow/Calf and Feedlot Cattle’ manual, and each will be able to apply learning from the lecture right away in the lab session of the first day,” Shearer said. “The following day will be conducted chute-side on live animals. I think these lab activities will really enhance their overall learning experience.”

Learn to diagnose and treat common foot ailments in cattle

Shearer will teach the class assisted by Brian Pingsterhaus, master trimmer with Pingsterhaus Dairy Care in Germantown, Ill. Class topics will include diagnosis and treatment of common causes of lameness in beef cattle, including basic foot care and therapeutic trimming procedures, hoof knife sharpening, appropriate use of antibiotics, and the application of foot blocks and wraps for treatment of lameness disorders.

Treatment of lameness disorders, including proper management of toe abscesses, digital dermatitis, foot rot and proper application of foot blocks for relief of weight bearing in diseased or injured claws will be reviewed and discussed. See more information on the program website, vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/about/production-animal-medicine/dairy/dairy-extension/master-hoof-care.

Preregistration is required to attend these sessions

Cost is $150 per person and includes a lameness manual, entry to the Day 1 classroom lecture seminar and cadaver laboratory, as well as the Day 2 on-farm trimming sessions on live animals. Please note that attendance at the Day 1 morning lecture seminar session is required for all who plan to attend the Day 1 afternoon cadaver laboratory and live animal foot care sessions on Day 2. If you wish to attend only the Day 1 morning session there is no cost and the manual is not included, but preregistration to ensure adequate space and lunch is strongly encouraged.

The Day 1 lecture session seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to about noon, and will take place at 3225 Hwy. 6, Homestead. The Day 2 foot care sessions will take place at Amana Farms (2595 F15 Boulevard, Amana) beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 4:30 p.m. Attendance at this session is limited to allow individualized attention during the school, and preregistration is required. You may email preregistration information first, followed by payment. To preregister, contact ISU veterinary dairy/beef coordinator Leslie Shearer by phone at 515-294-2836 or email at [email protected] and include the information requested on this form.

Lodging is the responsibility of the attendee. This program is sponsored by the makers of Bovi-Bond foot block adhesive, Amana Farms, HoverChute, ISU Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa Beef Center and ISU Extension.