Hoof HealthCheck
The Hoof Healthcheck Programme will focus on farmer awareness in the prevention of lameness with information and guidelines on the management and treatment of the condition.
Programme Manager
Michelle McGrath
Programme Manager CalfCare and Hoof HealthCheck
Michelle grew up on a dairy farm in East Cork and has been directly involved in farming from a young age which led her to complete a Degree in Agricultural Science at UCD in 1999. Following on from this she completed a Master’s Degree in Bovine Reproduction with Teagasc at Moorepark Research Centre in 2001. After a brief spell in industry she returned to UCD to complete a Degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2008.
For the past 12 years she has worked predominantly in mixed practice in Ireland where she further enhanced her interest in herd health on dairy farms. She particularly enjoyed working with the farmers to effectively manage infectious diseases in their herds through improved diagnostics, education and targeted therapies. Michelle is heavily involved in showing and breeding Holstein Friesian cattle at club and national level and uses this opportunity to promote animal health and welfare.
Furthering her interest in the Agricultural and Food industries, she completed a Diploma in Food Production at UCC.
SCIP - Sound Cow Innovation Programme
Lameness is a painful condition, which compromises cow welfare, reduces longevity, and reduces fertility and milk production. The negative impact of lameness on production efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions is also recognised. In addition, the treatment of many cases of lameness with antimicrobials is a potential contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In response, members of the Hoof HealthCheck Technical Working Group came together as an Operational Group (OG) and were successful in obtaining DAFM funding under the European Innovation Partnership programme for the Sound Cow Innovation Programme (SCIP).
To read more about the SCIP programme, click here
Lameness Videos
The Hoof HealthCheck Technical Working Group have recently produced a series of videos to address lameness in Irish dairy herds. To view this video series, click on the link below.
