| 79 nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Hoof Ltd Good hoof care essential to herd health Kim Newth Former dairy farmer Peter Hall knows how challenging it can be to have lame cows in the herd. Now he’s seeing it from the other side, having set up a business last year called Hoof Ltd to be part of the solution. Based in Rolleston, Peter offers a mobile and responsive hoof care service and travels wherever he’s needed to dairy farms in Canterbury, Otago and the West Coast. Peter has an extensive background in the rural sector, having grown up on a farm in Taranaki, before leaving home to go dairy farming in the South Island. “I moved up the ranks into contracting and lower order sharemilking,” says Peter. “I did that for 15 years, raised a family and then decided I needed a new challenge. I only came across hoof trimmers later in my career; before that, I didn’t even know they existed. I trimmed my own cows and took great satisfaction in curing lameness. The hydraulic crush that trimmers use was a game changer. The machine does all the heavy lifting and saves time and your back. That was my ‘aha’ moment.” Hoof Ltd is equipped with a state of the art cow crush from the United States. “It has been a big investment – I’m grateful for the backing of MTF Finance Timaru who understood what I was wanting to do with my business and helped me make it happen.” From personal experience, he’s well aware of the pressure that a good hoof trimmer can take off a farmer. “Lame cows multiply – if you don’t keep on top of it, then you get more and more. I’ve been there and know what a relief it is when someone comes in and gets your herd back on track. Now that I’m offering hoof trimming, I can see the pressure I’m able to take off other people.” Peter trained as a hoof trimmer last year with the Dairy Hoof Care Institute of New Zealand, set up by Veehof Dairy Services’founder Fred Hoekstrain the mid-1990s. A qualified hoof trimming instructor who trained in Europe, Fred holds a diploma in hoof care. He teaches the Dutch 5-step method, which is internationally respected and effective on the farm. Hoof problems are often brought on as a result of weight being borne unevenly between the two claws on each foot. If the live tissue inside the hoof is also unhealthy, it paves the way to lameness. Peter appreciates that farmers may sometimes be reluctant to spend money on preventing a problem like lameness, instead preferring to treat cases as they arise. “[But] If you can stay on top of hoof care, it solves so many other issues. It is estimated that just one lame cow will cost $1000 a year. A cow that is lame is a poor performer - even in the early stages, reproduction, condition and milk production are significantly affected. I see effective hoof trimming as low hanging fruit to increase KPIs on farm at a time farmers are driving efficiencies. Herds can have up to 25 per cent lame cows. It is well worth taking a look at your herd and getting them tided up before the end of the season.” Got questions? Call Stuart on 021 278 8278 or enquire online at www.hoofit.nz or info@hoofit.nz Supplies & Supports | Hoof Trimmers | Vets and farmers nationwide Check out our range of hoof blocks & other accessories New hoof-crush available soon For our full range, visit us online at www.hoofit.nz. All online prices are GST & freight incluisive! SUPPORTING HOOF TRIMMERSNATIONWIDE Durable and high-quality products for daily use Email info@veehof.co.nz Freephone 0800 833 463 ʰ Glues ʰ Guns ʰ Claw blocks ʰ Knives ʰ Grinders ʰ Discs ʰ Safety equipment Order online at www.veehof.co.nz or call us 0800 833 463 Advice Trimming Products www.veehof.co.nz Rolleston based Hoof Ltd offers a mobile and responsive hoof care service to dairy farms in Canterbury, Otago and the West Coast.
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