When it comes to health issues on a dairy farm, lameness is usually a main concern along with mastitis and reproductive issues. Lameness includes any abnormality which causes a cow to change the way she walks. It can be caused by a range of foot and leg conditions including foot rot, digital dermatitis, laminitis, and claw disease. Lameness can be influenced by nutrition, disease, genetic influences, management, and environmental factors. Not only does lameness cause pain and distress for dairy cattle, but it also has a large economic impact on the dairy operation. Walking Strong is a three-webinar series for dairy workers. Two webinars will be offered in Spanish and one in English. Join us on Tuesdays, May 11, 18, and 25, 2 pm to 3:30 pm, to learn more about infectious claw diseases.

UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Associate Professor Dorte Dopfer, PhD, DVM will be joining the series for all three webinars. Dr. Dopfer specializes in bovine lameness and the epidemiology of digital dermatitis (hairy heel warts) which leads to her research about best-practices for footbaths to prevent and control digital dermatitis in cattle.  Extension educators Maria Jose Fuenzalida, Aerica Bjurstrom, and Tina Kohlman are also included on the agenda.

• May 25, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 pm (offered in Spanish) focusing on “Prevention and control of digital dermatitis in heifers” with UW Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Associate Professor Dorte Dopfer and “The impact of facilities and management on heifer hoof health” with Extension Fond du Lac County Dairy & Livestock Agent Tina Kohlman.

Register online at https://go.wisc.edu/tf8925