Lameness can cost you dearly, both in terms of your milk yields, your animals’ comfort and your profits, and we have the perfect solution to manage lame cows with ease. We’ve been chatting with John Bourke, a dairy farmer from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and Orla McEnery, a dairy farmer from Cahir, Co. Tipperary, about the way they handle lame cows on their farms.
John and Orla have both installed Inspect4 Rollover Crates in recent years, and we asked them about the difference this has made to their practice. Read on to find out what they had to say…
“We were running 8-9% lame… now we’re at about 1%”
(John Bourke, Rathcunikeen Dairy)
John Bourke and his brother have been dairy farming for many years, and they milk around 370-380 cows daily on their active dairy farm. Lameness has long been a cause of stress on the farm, and John told us,
“Our main culling feature was lameness…[at] the end of the year… [we] weren’t even looking at milk records for low yield or cell count – it was purely lameness.”
After choosing to install an Inspect4 Rollover Crate, lameness culling has fallen from around 8-9% to 1% at Rathcunikeen Dairy, and John believes this is due to the quality of the Inspect4, which enables easy lifting and restraining with access to all four feet – and can be operated by one person in around 21 seconds. This streamlines routine tasks and helps to protect animals and human operators.
The improvements in practice with the new crate mean early intervention is easier and smoother, so it is simpler to keep an eye on the health of your animals. John explains,
“[If] you see two cows lame… [it’s likely that] another two could do with a look. Before, you’d be waiting for the hoof trimmer, and the cow could go bad in the meantime. Now, you can [identify and treat the problem]… before it turns into an infection.”
At Rathcunikeen, this has led to a reduction in the use of antibiotics and a healthier herd overall. It has also been very helpful for other practices such as routine hoof trimming, teat sealing, dosing, tagging and treating warts, making it a versatile year-round asset for this commercial dairy farm.
“Being able to check all four feet at once is one of the biggest advantages.”
(Orla McEniry, Co. Tipperary)
Orla McEniry works with her father, milking 200-220 cows on a daily basis. She told us that she has always found hoof care a stressful task,
“We had a standard crate where you lifted each leg individually, and the front ones were always a problem.” Orla explains that the challenges of managing hoof care meant it was more likely to be put off, worsening the problem.
The Rollover Crate has made a huge difference to the way their practice is carried out, and now it is much easier to manage hoof care as lameness can be checked out quickly, as soon as a problem is noticed. Quicker treatment leads to better outcomes, and this is great news for animals and for farmers.
The McEnirys use the Rollover Crate for teat sealing and other routine tasks, and Orla is delighted with the time she saves:
“For safety, it’s brilliant… [the cow is secured] there and you can get your job done.” It is now possible to work through tasks more quickly and comfortably, without risking damaging your back.
Early Treatment is Easier with the Inspect4 Rollover Crate
John and Orla highly recommend the Inspect4 Rollover Crate to other dairy farmers, to reduce stress and make routine tasks easier than ever before. Both are delighted with the reduction in lameness and culling, decreased antibiotic use and improved outcomes. You can find out more about the Rollover Crate on our website, viewing on-farm videos, setup ideas and customer reviews. Our experienced team can also arrange a full demo, so that you can see exactly how the Rollover Crate can work on your farm.
Farming Essentials from HoofCare Direct
Here at HoofCare Direct, we have everything you need to simplify your practice and ensure that you get the very best from your equipment. Our range includes a comprehensive collection of hoof care products, maintenance tools and top quality protective clothing, and you can order online for convenience. We’ll always be happy to provide more information and guidance, so contact us today to find out more.