DairyCo

Footbath Volume Calculation

Total footbath capacity is calculated simply by multiplying the length by the width by the effective depth of the footbath. Remember that the effective depth is the depth of footbath solution that is going to be used and not the measurement from the bottom to the lip of the bath. 1,000cm³ is equal to 1 litre, therefore a bath measuring 2.4 metres in length by 1.5 metre in width, with an effective depth of 15cm (6 inches) is:

240cm × 150cm × 15cm = 540,000cm³ = 540 litres.

The preparation of footbathing solutions must be accurate if the correct concentrations are to be used. If too dilute, they may not be effective; using concentrations of solution that are too weak is a major reason for farmers experiencing poor results and thus giving up on footbathing, often with disastrous results. If solutions are too strong, they may do more harm than good (especially formalin which can cause chemical burns to the cow's skin at concentrations greater than 10%). Either way the solutions are not being used efficiently if they are used at the wrong concentrations.