new product

[thecowboy]

Hi

I'm currently researching into a new product that is designed to help in the lifting of injured and downed cattle.

The current concept is to use an inflatable cushion which is placed next to the animal and rotates the animal into a safe position in order to fit a sling or harness.

I know there are products of this type on the market at the moment. Does anyone have any suggestions for this product and how it can improve on current designs?

Or maybe even more importantly, does anyone feel that this product is even necessary at all?

Thank you, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[El_Putzo]

Don't know if you noticed, but I replied to this in your topic called "lifting".

Once again, good luck, down cows are a pain!!

 

[thecowboy]

Cheers for the reply. i understand that there are techniques used for helping a cow in this situation but if a new product were to come on to the market what features could be included to make dealing with this situation easier?

 

[TheBullLady]

Only if the price of the "new product" is worth the investment of trying to save a downed cow.

 

[Bama]

Most of us are set in our ways. We know has worked in the past. If a new product is about the same price and does about the same job, we'll stick with what we know. A product has to be a much better mousetrap or a lot cheaper to switch.

 

[frenchie]

Imho.You would be better off to spend your time and money trying to prevent downer cows in the 1st place.

 

[preston39]

frenchie,

I don't think anyone would disagree with you but,...s$$$ happens. Our last experience was with a 900#heifer......yes......she had a high tail head...(in response to another thread)...couldn't get up after delivery.

I don't think one can beat the two sections of round bailer belt around the animal...in back of front legs and in front of the back legs... and bolted to a 2x4 at the top of the belt ends over the animal.

I think a total new mouse trap would have to be devised in order for it to become popular.

Hopefully they are not needed that often. :roll:

 

[frenchie]

frenchie,

I don't think anyone would disagree with you but,...s$$$ happens. Our last experience was with a 900#heifer......yes......she had a high tail head...(in response to another thread)...couldn't get up after delivery.

Preston I know $$$$ happens, but it better not be on a continus basis.Or you will go broke.

According to my old vet the faster you get an animal up after a hard birth and walking around the better .He claims that most of the problem is due to pinched nerves and that the longer she is down. The better the chance she will stay down.

 

[Wewild]

frenchie,

I don't think anyone would disagree with you but,...s$$$ happens. Our last experience was with a 900#heifer......yes......she had a high tail head...(in response to another thread)...couldn't get up after delivery.

Preston I know $$$$ happens, but it better not be on a continus basis.Or you will go broke.

According to my old vet the faster you get an animal up after a hard birth and walking around the better .He claims that most of the problem is due to pinched nerves and that the longer she is down. The better the chance she will stay down.

I agree ... we haven't had much success when they were on the ground long ... you got to try to get them up as fast as you can.

 

[preston39]

frenchie,

I don't think anyone would disagree with you but,...s$$$ happens. Our last experience was with a 900#heifer......yes......she had a high tail head...(in response to another thread)...couldn't get up after delivery.

Preston I know $$$$ happens, but it better not be on a continus basis.Or you will go broke.

According to my old vet the faster you get an animal up after a hard birth and walking around the better .He claims that most of the problem is due to pinched nerves and that the longer she is down. The better the chance she will stay down.

frenchie,
Your point can't be emphasied enough..quick is better...we lost a nice one last fall...i was gone for 4 days...guys didn't get her up right a way. But they had the time to milk her and save the calf. Minds where some where else I guess.

 

[thecowboy]

Again thank you for the replies.

One question. When lifting a downed cow, how do you get the belts/straps underneath the cow in the first place in order to hoist it up? Is this not a problem since the animal weighs so much?

Cheers

 

[preston39]

cowboy,
Any way you can.

Generally..we hook a small chain into the belt end hole and then work it under the animal with a small object. Have even used a smooth stick...and then pull the belt thru with the chain....gently...making sure nothing is sticking up to catch onto the animal. Once the chain is thru...pull...with 4 wheeler...truck..tractor or by hand...sometimes work.

It's not to challenging. If you are a good boy scout ...it goes pretty smooth. ;-) The important key is to adjust the belts at the top so that when lifting pressure is applied the animal is reasonably arriving upright and not at an angle...otherwise if it weight tilts onto the back...the spine will flex and....gotta start over.

 

[thecowboy]

Okay cheers preston.

So would the job be easier if you had something to lift up the animal slightly, only a couple of inches?

This would take away the risk of catching the animal and enable the belts to be positioned more accurately.

What do you think?

 

[preston39]

thecowboy,

Well...that is the challenge...get the animal off the ground....2" or 2-1/5'.

A 1000-1200 # animal is not easy to get off the ground. The belts are easy and work..so I have never spent much time trying another approach. But, doesn't mean I wouldn't listen if someone gave me an idea that is better. :roll:

There is nothing to catch the animal if the hook on the chain is set correct...and doesn't have a long neck. Gotta set the open end of the hook where it will slide in the dirt...making a grove as it slides under the animal's pressure. Most I have ever seen is ...maybe a little hair rubbed off. Have never seen damage to the skin.