Manage Foot Rot to Protect Cattle Herd Performance

Producers who recognize foot rot and develop strategies to prevent and treat it can successfully protect their cattle herd’s performance. Causing an estimated 75 percent of all lameness diagnosed in beef cattle, foot rot, or interdigital dermatitis, can be detrimental to the health of a herd and profits of an operation.1)

Lameness and swelling related to foot rot threatens performance by causing cattle to reduce feed consumption, ultimately resulting in reduced weight gain. In addition, cows affected by foot rot may not get the nutrition they need to produce sufficient milk for nursing calves, and affected bulls are less likely to breed cows during breeding season.