Sioux Center, Iowa — Hairy Heel Wart (HHW) is becoming a significant problem for feedlot producers. It is not only difficult to diagnose, but also hard to treat, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Therefore, ISU Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are co-sponsoring the “Hairy Heel Wart and Lameness Symposium – Iowa Checkoff Talks” on Tuesday, June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center. The program will be offered virtually and in-person, and those attending at the Terrace View Event Center are invited for lunch beginning at 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend thanks to sponsor support.
Speakers at the event are nationally known beef cattle experts who have experience with HHW and cattle lameness.
Dr. Terry Engelken, DVM at ISU, leads off with his Checkoff-funded research exploring the prevalence of HHW in Iowa feedlots. He notes that while common symptoms of HHW include lameness and an unpleasant hoof odor, not all animals exhibit lameness.
Dr. Shane Terrell, DVM at Gothenburg, NE, will share his experiences in diagnosing HHW and other lameness issues in Nebraska feedlots. Terrell will further explain that, because the exact organisms responsible for HHW are unknown, development of a vaccine has been complicated. Consequently, producers have little recourse other than prevention and treatment.
Dwight Kickhafer, Zinpro representative, will discuss what management practices and treatment procedures are currently used to control HHW.
The symposium will wrap-up with an open discussion of future needs moderated by Dr. Dan Thomson, DVM with ISU’s Department of Animal Science. Attendees are encouraged to bring their list of questions and research about the topic.
The symposium is free, but registration is required to attend either virtually or in-person and may be made one of three ways through the Iowa Beef Industry Council: online by CLICKING HERE; by phone, 515-296-2305; or via e-mail, beef@iabeef.org.
For more information, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or doranb@iastate.edu.
