Lameness

Approximately 95% of lameness in dairy cattle occurs in the feet. Lameness in dairy cows can reduce milk

Milk

Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...

 production and fertility, and cause reproductive problems, suffering and expense. Prevention is important. Cattle areas should be kept dry, since a hoof kept constantly wet becomes soft and subject to injury and foot rot. Cows should have room to move so that their hooves experience normal wear.

Hoof trimming

Hoof trimmers trim and care for bovine hooves

Claw

A claw is a curved, pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger in most mammals, birds, and some reptiles. However, the word "claw" is also often used in reference to an invertebrate. Somewhat similar fine hooked structures are found in arthropods such as beetles and spiders, at the end...

, principally those of dairy cows

Dairy cattle

Dairy cattle are cattle cows bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the species Bos taurus....

. Hooves were once trimmed with a sharp knife while the cow was restrained and positioned with ropes. Most large-scale hoof-trimming today makes use of angle grinder

Angle grinder

An angle grinder, also known as a side or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing.Angle grinders can be powered by an electric motor, petrol engine or compressed air. The motor drives a geared head at a right-angle on which is mounted an abrasive disc or a...

s and of some type of hoof trimming crush. A hoof trimmer using modern machinery may trim the hooves of more than 10.000 cows per year. The trimmer shapes the hooves to provide the optimal weight bearing surface. A freshly trimmed hoof may be treated with copper sulfate to prevent foot rot.