A decade of dedication In New Zealand, where the land stretches out and farm life hums along, Johan Buys stands as the visionary force behind The Hoofman. For a decade Johan and his teamhave dedicated themselves to perfecting the art of ixing lame cows. The Hoofman not only aids lame cows and bulls in their recovery, and carries out preventative trimming, but also passionately imparts invaluable wisdom to farmers across the North Island. It's more than just a job – it's a commitment to transforming feet and elevating the entire farming experience. In the intricate balance of farm life, The Hoofman champions the belief that healthy claws are the cornerstone of good fertility in cows. Johan advocates for a holistic approach, recognising that lameness can arise for various reasons including poor diet, genetics, stressful conditions, inadequate animal handling, and mechanical injuries. Johan emphasises the pivotal role of understanding a cow's experience. Understanding what a cow goes through helps farmers make quick changes to get their cows back in good, productive shape. Facing inancial pressures leading to an increase in cows per hectare, farmers grapple with a colossal strain on the entire farming system. Nutrition, pasture management, individual cow care, infrastructure, veterinary attention, and sta focus collectively contribute to the well-being of the herd. Herd dominance further complicates the scenario, as leaders within the pack may not display signs of lameness, preserving their position within the hierarchy. Johan emphasises, "There is no correlation between locomotion disturbance and the severity of the lesion. Cows are either lame or healthy." Johan's love for animals traces back to his childhood on a sheep and beef farm in South Africa. From a young age, his dedication to animal welfare and stockmanship intensi ied. His commitment led him to acquire a National Diploma in Animal Health. This background, combined with hands on experience in various veterinary private practices and farming situations, have equipped himwith a diverse skill set and comprehensive understanding of animal health. In 2008, Johan immigrated to New Zealand, immersing himself in the local dairy farming systems and gaining extensive experience in various aspects of livestock care. Before founding The Hoofman in 2014, Johan worked closely with farmers daily, recognising the need for more assistance in addressing hoof issues, reducing lame cow cases, tackling reproduction problems, and improving overall farming systems. The Hoofman uses state-of-the-art mobile hydraulic crushes, weighing 1.6 tons, and capable of handling frombig bulls to large groups of cows. As The Hoofman keeps working tomake cows healthier, they invite farmers to join in. See the fast results and the passion that drive Johan and The Hoofman team – every hoof cared for is a step towards a better farm future. He says, "I love my job and helping animals, andmy results are instant." The Hoofman is not only a service provider but stand behind their own range of hoof health products. Their commitment to o ering products they use daily re lects a dedication to quality and underscores their passion for maintaining the highest standards in hoof care.
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