Story: Goats and goat farming

Footrot problems

Footrot problems

Sheep and goats farmed in moist environments when pasture growth is rapid are susceptible to footrot. This bacterial infection erodes the hoof and makes walking painful. An infected animal will lose weight and produce less fibre. Treatment is by trimming off the infected area and applying an antidote, or stock can be bred that are resistant to the infection. The goat on the right is kneeling because its front hooves have footrot and are too painful to walk on.

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Photograph by Clive Dalton

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How to cite this page:

Allan Gillingham, 'Goats and goat farming - Reproduction and health', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/16608/footrot-problems (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Allan Gillingham, published 24 Nov 2008