Protective Shoes For Valuable Cows

Protective Shoes For Valuable Cows LIVESTOCK Beef 8-2-4 High-producing, valuable cows can't step on and damage their teats if they're wearing new plastic "shoes" called Geba Rings. The plastic rings, worn on the rear legs, lift the teats up and out of the way when the cow gets up, thus preventing the costly problem of losing top-producing cows because of teat injuries. Each ring is 9 1/2 in. in dia. and made of a special plastic which resists manure acids and is pliable. When the cow lays down, or when she steps in deep mud, manure or snow, for example, the outer edge of the pliable ring folds up against the leg, the manufacturer points out. The rings are adjustable for inside diameter (3.5 to 4 in.) so one size fits all cows. Each ring comes in two halves which are bolted together with stainless steel bolts. The protective "shoes" have been extensively field tested on dairy farms in Holland where they were developed and first introduced, according to Daniel Meloche, president of Reci-Prof, a division of Lanark Farm Equipment, Pakenham, Ont., North American marketer of the new teat-protection device. It was developed by the Reci-Prof Company in Holland, which manufactures a complete line of replacement parts and accessories for major brands of milking equipment. The plastic rings retail for $30 per pair in the U.S., $38 in Canada. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Reci-Prof, Division, Lanark Farm Equipment, Pakenham, Ont. KOA 2XO (ph 613 624-5393).

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