Why is foot care important in sheep management?

Foot care is crucial in sheep management primarily to prevent lameness. Lameness in sheep can lead to considerable suffering for the animals and can significantly affect their overall health and productivity. When sheep have healthy feet, they can move around comfortably, graze effectively, and participate in breeding activities. Failure to address foot health can lead to infections such as footrot, which can cause chronic pain and performance issues, leading to economic losses for the farmer due to lower weight gains, reduced wool quality, and increased veterinary costs.

While aspects such as wool growth, digestive health, and flock size are important for overall management and productivity, they are not directly related to the focus of foot care. Good foot health is a foundational practice that allows sheep to thrive and maintain optimal health, which in turn supports other areas of sheep management.