Organic milk production have found a way to control digital dermatitis

Several unsuccessful attempts to solve problems with digital dermatitis in the cowherd of Henning Bergmann’s organic milk production in the Danish town of Hoejer appear to be history with “Agron for organic use” from Vitfoss.

Henning Bergmann has an organic dairy herd with 110 cows, and for a long period, his cows have been suffering with digital dermatitis. These problems have now been solved with a very simple method.

During the last months, he has used the product “Agron for organic use” from Vitfoss. Twice a week he mixes the product in a hoof bath containing 100 litres. The hoof bath is placed in a passage gate through which all cows enter. In the summer time, the hoof bath is placed at the exit to the field.

The cows stand in the Agron-solution for two seconds and it seems to work effectively. - This is low-technology and easy to handle, says Henning Bergmann.

 

He notices that obviously a process takes place when the product is stirred into water because heat is generated. - It is very strange. First time I stirred “Agron for organic use” the bucket actually was melting, he explains.

Previously, Henning Bergmann has tried out with a flush system in the robot and he has used different products that should be sprinkled central places in the cow shed. However, according to Henning Bergmann these methods were both difficult and expensive. Moreover, he thinks that the effect was inadequate compared to the present solution.

 

Henning Bergmann estimates that the use of “Agron for organic use” costs €26.00 per week, and that is much cheaper than former solutions he has tried out. His experiences with flushing in the two robots are not good either.

Firstly, according to the rules of Arla (dairy company), the use of chemicals in the robots is not allowed and the effect was solely on the part of the hooves that were hit directly by the jet sprayer. - Therefore, we had a hoof flushing installed in the robots seven years ago, and it worked.

The disease disappeared on the rear of the claws, but then the disease appeared on the front, Henning Bergmann explains. It was a local blacksmith, who made the flushing system. Each flushing lasted approx. 40 seconds, but the flushing also had a negative side effect besides the costs for water. It discouraged the cows to enter the robot.

 

He discovered “Agron for organic use” at a seminar arranged by Vitfoss, the wholesaler of the product. At the time, we started with “Agron for organic use” we turned off the flushing system in the robots, because the hooves have to be as dry as possible when the cows are passing through the hoof bath, in order to have maximum effect of “Agron for organic use”.

The hoof bath is simply a plastic basin that holds approx. 100 litres of water. Twice a week the dissolved Agron-mixture is poured into the basin with fresh water.

According to Henning Bergmann, it is not important whether the water in the basin is clean or filthy. - It works regardless how dirty the water is, he says. He is not afraid that the water in the hoof bath is going to freeze. - Firstly, a process takes place that generates heat. Moreover, the water is in constant movement because cows are passing through the hoof bath continuously. 

 

After 4 months with “Agron for organic use” Henning Bergmann is very satisfied with the result. - We have checked the hooves and there is nothing to see. No raised swelling between the claws, he says. 

The hoof bath is simply a plastic basin containing approx. 100 litres of water and the dissolved Agron-mixture is poured into it.

He has carried out many special things to improve the hoof health in his herd. Among other things he has crossbred with a Swedish Red and previously also with Simmental. Precisely a Simmental bull has made its entry into the herd again and he is used to produce the future milking cows.

 

- We used Simmental back in 1994 and now we have started again. In 1994, we started due to lack of milk quota because the cows produced too much milk. Many farmers south of the border use Simmental. Our bull is of Austrian origin. By using Simmental, our cows become stronger and better legs. The yield is approx. 9,000 kg ECM but Henning Bergmann is not participating in a milk recording society. The geometric cell count is normally between 150,000 and 200,000. However, at present it is 215,000. - We have a cell count measurer on the robot and thus we are able to watch the change in the cell count from day to day. In the field, we grow grass and barley/pea whole crop and barley to maturity that is crimped in order to keep the costs down. In addition to that, the cows get barley. A consolidation has joined the land around the building. 170 hectares of land incl. tenancy are cultivated. We are the owner of the 100 hectares.