Over the years as a hoof trimmer, I’ve witnessed the challenges surrounding footbaths on dairy farms. The fog is finally lifting, and I’d like to share some insights and invite you to explore better solutions together.

It’s no secret that many farms faithfully maintain their footbath routines, often 4 to 7 days a week, only to find that digital dermatitis (DD) cases persist. Many products—some harsh and acidic or containing formalin—are marketed with the promise of solving DD. But here’s the reality: Footbaths are preventive tools, not treatments.

What’s Really Going On?

Last year, Prof. Dorty Dopfer wrote an article addressing the misconception. She explained that “Footbath strategies implemented at too high frequencies, too high concentrations of footbath agents and at extremely acidic pH (pH less than 3.0) contribute to the formation of chronic DD with all its consequences.” In other words, the very products meant to help might be making the problem worse.

Even formalin, still widely used, has no research backing its effectiveness against DD. And beyond that, it’s a known carcinogen. What’s the trade-off here?

Real-Life Concerns

Just last week, a researcher approached me, grappling with the environmental impact of footbath chemicals. While Canada’s vast acres seem forgiving, water streams eventually bear the burden. One farmer I spoke with recently, who operates a biodigester, learned the hard way that copper sulfate slows down their digester’s output—an expensive consequence of a common product.