| 45 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Perks Farm The property is 139 hectares effective with a few hectares of pine trees. “Calving was a bit later this year as well, we were still mating in January, normally we are finished by Christmas.” Freephone 0800 833 463 Email info@veehof.co.nz www.veehof.co.nz To find out more, call us today! Freephone 0800 833 463 Don’t just take our word for it... “The crush is very easy to use and kind to the cows. Cows are kept well-restrained while trimming hooves. We now treat cows quicker because it’s no hassle using the crush.” KEVIN CHAPPELL, LEESTON ɤ7KH VDIHW\ IDFWRU IRU DQLPDOV DQG VWDѸ LV JUHDW ,WɢV WKH sheer ease of use and full accessibility with no bars in the way. Wish we had purchased it years ago. Great investment!” ' 7(55< х 0$1$:$78 Hoof Trimming Crush Standard Crush from $˷ ˲˳˸ +gst Hydraulic Crush from $˱˸ ˸˴˯ +gst Hydraulic Cattle Crushes Superior design for comfort and safety, the WOPA keeps you in control and out of harm’s way. The Wopa Hydraulic® Cattle Crush is a very reliable and robust cattle crush for professional hoof trimmers and veterinarians. The crush your cows prefer Hoof Trimming Crush Cow restraint is one of the most important aspects of on-farm safety and animal welfare. Whether you’re trimming hooves or carrying out health treatments, both cow comfort and operator safety depend on good technique, quality equipment, and con idence in handling. Three key principles always apply: 1. The cow must be comfortable. 2. The operator must be safe. 3. The operator must remain in control. Comfort Comes First An uncomfortable cow is an unsettled cow. The surface she’s standing on makes a big di erence — it needs to be irm, lat or slightly uphill, never slippery or sloping down. Cows dislike facing downhill when their back legs are lifted, and they’ll ight against it. Purpose-built hoof-trimming crushes, such as the WOPA Hoof Treatment Crush, are designed to keep cows secure and calm. Features like a brisket strap support the animal if she slips, while gentle belly pressure helps her relax. When lifting a leg, technique matters. Tying a leg rigidly above the claw can cause serious injury if the cow goes down. Lifting from the hock is far safer and more comfortable, allowing the cow to bear some weight and stay balanced. Safety for the Operator If you’re uncomfortable, you’re unsafe — and vice versa. Many injuries happen when operators kneel behind cows or work around awkward bars and pipework. Always stand beside the cow, as a farrier would with a horse, and lift the leg from the hock to a comfortable height. This lets you keep your back straight and maintain light contact with the animal, which helps keep her calm. When trimming a front foot, lift one back leg — it stabilises the cow and makes forward kicking far less likely. Stay in Control Cows quickly pick up on hesitation. Con ident handling and good equipment make all the di erence. Braked winches with gear reduction allow smooth, controlled lifting and lowering without the danger of handles spinning free. Good facilities and training are the foundation of safe, e icient hoof care. Investing in the right crush and proper instruction — such as through the Dairy Hoofcare Institute (dhi.ac.nz) — helps ensure safety, comfort, and control for both people and cows. KeepingCows Comfortable – andOperators Safe By Fred Hoekstra, Veehof Dairy Services The property is 139 hectares effective with a few hectares of pine trees. “A hectare of pine trees was harvested last year and we have replanted that with natives which will hopefully qualify for the Fonterra Emissions Incentive Scheme. It will be of limited benefit to us but the children will benefit from it in the future.” The winter hasn’t been as mild as previous years, he said. “Growth has been quite slow in spring. Calving was a bit later this year as well, we were still mating in January, normally we are finished by Christmas.” They have kept 130 replacement calves and a dozen also for beef and a pet one for their daughter Matilda, with an eye to the local pet day. “The kids get really excited about calving, I don’t so much because its means longer days again.” With the eldest son Callum in his second to last year at primary school they are focused on paying down debt and saving for all their children to go to boarding school in New Plymouth. “Rachel and I both went to boarding school and we want that for our children as well.” It is still very much a family affair with his mum just down the road in Hawera and looks to stay that way for generations to come.
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