in-house hoof trimming - Page 1

Obtain buy-in for proper hoof health management on farms

Here are six key hoof health management factors to consider and implement as dairy operations expand.

April 7, 2026

Here are six key hoof health management factors to consider and implement, which will have a significant impact on animal well-being.

3 Open Minutes with Demetrio Bautista Ortiz

January 2, 2026

Jenn Coyne

Progressive Dairy connected with Demetrio Bautista Ortiz, a hoof care consultant with Save Cows Network, to discuss on-farm training, employee engagement and creating a support network for improved hoof health on U.S. dairy farms.

Measure It to Manage It: How two Arizona dairies slashed their lameness rates

Two Southwest dairies drastically reduced high rates of lameness. Via facility upgrades, systematic hoof care and teamwide involvement, they demonstrate how large operations can achieve major improvements in treating and maintaining hoof health.

November 7, 2025

Jaclyn De Candio

Lameness continues to be one of the most persistent challenges in modern dairy herds. Herd manager Skylar Gericke, overseeing both Triple G Dairy and LegenDairy – owned by the Gingg family in Buckeye, Arizona – has firsthand experience.

Hoof trimming: Time to rethink the playbook

Considering hoof trimming in today’s larger dairies, it may be time to rethink your approach as you choose your starting lineup, staff your bench and approach the important task of minimizing hoof issues for your cows.

November 7, 2025

Lee Erickson

As dairies have grown, the game has changed for operation managers as well. Issues like lameness are no longer an afterthought because we have learned a dairy cow’s hoof health is directly tied to her performance and the dairy’s profitability.

Beyond hooves: The human element in tackling lameness

A key element to reducing lameness on farms is the human interaction. By recognizing and addressing the needs and barriers faced by the hoof health team, farms may be able to better address lameness and impact animal welfare on a broader spectrum.

January 27, 2025

Demetrio Bautista Ortiz and Laura Solano

Lameness is an issue that impacts every part of the supply chain – not just the welfare and health of cows but also the farmers and their teams working to maintain herd productivity, as well as the dairy processors and retailers seeking to build trust in their brand.

Address lameness while the trimmer is away

Ideally, all lame cows should be treated within 24 hours of the cow becoming lame. However, many producers face the challenge of how to assist a cow that becomes lame in between hoof trimmer visits. That challenge can be resolved with proper employee training.

December 18, 2024

Lee Erickson

It is important to provide excellent hoof care to cows because lame cows can go from bad to worse quickly. If a lame cow has to wait to be treated, she can experience longer recovery time, and more necrotic tissue and permanent damage to her pedal bone.