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5 successful years with the MS AutoHoofClean
Martijn discovered MS AutoHoofClean when the first version was still in its launch phase. Now he has been using the system for over 5 years to successfully control Digital Dermatitis on his farm. We visited Martijn to celebrate the milestone and share his story with you.
What do you see as the main advantages of the system?
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It works
MS AutoHoofClean is effective in controlling Digital Dermatitis, which is the most important.:format(webp)){kind=icon}
Automated 24/7 hoofcare
The system runs automatically 24/7 and as long as the jugs are full I don't have to do anything.:format(webp)){kind=icon}
Stressfree
The system protects their skin before treating it, which helps prevent pain during disinfection. The cows walk over the mats without any stress.Why were you looking for a hoof care solution?
When Martijn took over the farm from his parents Digital Dermatitis wasn’t present in the herd. They were one of the few dairy farmers that did not have the problem for a long time. But as with many farms, eventually, their herd started showing the signs of Digital Dermatitis and he had to take action.
Martijn discovered MS AutoHoofClean when the first version was still in its launch phase. He remembers Rico, the MS Schippers hoof health specialist, who visited his farm and explained the solution to him. "At the time, I thought: “It's a good idea, I believe it works, but I’m not yet ready to take the step. I decided to first explore other options."
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What did you previously try to control Mortellaro?
Like many dairy farmers, Martijn couldn't gain control over Digital Dermatitis in his herd. "I tried hoof baths and a hoof cleaning system which sprayed the hooves, and I even did individual treatments, where I had to walk with a backpack sprayer to target the specific cows. These efforts were still not effective, and it was very labor-intensive." Things then became clear: Digital Dermatitis was going to remain a problem on the farm, and it would consume a lot of his time to continue on this way.
Why did you to choose the MS AutoHoofClean at that time?
Martijn remembers asking himself, "What is the best option available on the market, and what would work sustainably for my operation in the long term?"
To make this choice, Martijn evaluated the cost and benefits. All aspects related to technical results, as well as the workload and maintenance, were considered. That's when he decided to automate hoof care with MS AutoHoofClean.
The automation was especially important for him: "By automating hoof care, I freed up time to focus on other jobs that needed my attention, without worrying about hoof care. Because I know that the hoof treatment is done automatically 3 times a day".
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How do you look back on the investment after 5 years of use?
After five years of use, Martijn has no regrets. "You don't have to do anything. The system works 24/7. As long as you make sure there are sufficient hoof care products in the containers at the automatic pump, everything runs smoothly. You don't have to worry about the foot bath schedule as the MS AutoHoofClean takes care of that for you."
As for the results, the benefits are very clear: "Overall hoof health is much better." During five years of use, Martijn never thought about stopping. "The key is to keep moving forward. If everything is going well, why would I stop?" Martijn explains that the bacteria responsible for Digital Dermatitis always remain on the farm. Therefore, the benefits of the protocol can quickly disappear if the protocol controlling it is stopped. Once a cow gets Digital Dermatitis her performance will drop, even if the hoof problems are addressed the overall performance will suffer for much longer. As Martijn said, "You need to keep doing what works!"
Are there any other changes you noticed after 5 years of use?
The results are not limited to hoof health, Martijn notes: "appetite, fertility, milk production, milk quality, and hoof health are interconnected and I clearly noticed the effects." Furthermore, his goal goes beyond managing lameness. "Automating and optimizing the day-to-day operation is very important for me, it gives me peace of mind."
With hoof care, missing a treatment can quickly turn problematic. "Now I can rest assured that their hooves are treated 3 times a day and I can focus on other tasks. It gives me peace of mind because I know it’s effective in controlling Digital Dermatitis and it saves time."
In the context of farm development, herd or production growth, and reducing labour, Martijn has made his choice: "I consciously choose automation to make my daily routines easier."
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