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Rescue Service Floats Cows To Their Feet
Equipment to save downed cows by floating them in warm water has been around for a while. The Danish-built Aqua Cow Riser System was introduced in the U.S. in the early 1990’s. Steve Kraak uses the equipment as part of a full-blown cow rehab service, Aqua Lift, run from his Monticello, Wis., farm.
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Rescue Service Floats Cows To Their Feet DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Equipment to save downed cows by floating them in warm water has been around for a while The Danish-built Aqua Cow Riser System was introduced in the U S in the early 1990’s Steve Kraak uses the equipment as part of a full-blown cow rehab service Aqua Lift run from his Monticello Wis farm
Instead of using the Aqua Cow Riser system at his clients’ farms he transports their downed cows to his facility “I spend a couple hours a day with each cow ” he says
The Aqua Cow Riser trailer is filled with warm water minimum of 700 gal to get the cow back on its feet while only bearing about 25 percent of its body weight Most operators keep a cow in the trailer for 4 to 6 hrs but Kraak averages 18 to 24 hrs
“I can save more cows with one long float rather than having to repeat it a second time ” says Kraak After 17 years floating cows and 20 years working in dairy nutrition he has plenty of experience
After a session in a heated barn the cow is turned out on a sand pack floor which has the best footing and bedding for a recovering cow
Within a couple of days cows downed by milk fever or those having trouble calving are usually ready to go home They have the best success rate - 70 and 80 percent respectively
Cattle that have fallen and sustained leg injuries can be more difficult to save and usually take longer up to 1 1/2 weeks and longer in some cases
“I have had one cow 2 1/2 months that can walk but drags her hind leg that is carrying a valuable heifer ” Kraak says
Cost for the initial float runs $280 to $300
“To me any cow that has a chance to survive we should try ” he notes
Summer has traditionally been his busiest time with 30 to 50 cows a month requiring treatment But winter work has greatly increased since he started working in his heated barn and Kraak has many beef producer clients in the fall and spring with cows having calving issues
Using a flotation tank rather than slings and older techniques is growing in popularity with producers and veterinarians
“Floating is the most humane way to deal with a down cow ” Kraak says
But he notes it doesn’t save every animal such as a cow with a dislocated hip for example He asks producers several questions to determine if flotation is worth trying Typically Kraak travels up to 60 to 70 miles to pick up animals but will travel farther for additional mileage fees
Most of his charges are bovine but Kraak adds that he has worked with horses buffalo and one elephant Despite renting a dumpster to float a 7 900-lb elephant and getting her to stand the 49-year-old elephant didn’t survive he says
“No two cases are ever the same ” he says He finds the work satisfying especially when he successfully revives a cow or figures ways to improve his rehab services
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Steve Kraak N5299 Feldt Rd Monticello Wis 53570 ph 608 751-3905; skraak36@gmail com; Facebook: Aqua Lift
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