Welcome to downcow.com

Updates: prices and new information / click here.

Links to Aqua Cow Rise System websites:

See the Aqua Cow Rise System slides and videos

To see how Aqua Cow works in a sequence of pictures, click through this slideshow.

To download two longer videos, right-click on each part below and choose “Save as” for Windows users or “download linked file” on a Macintosh.

Part 1 - 12.2 MB
cow pulled into tank; stands; walks out

Part 2 - 29.3 MB
custom operator goes to farm.

These images probably seem unusual if you’ve never come across this method. With a little experience, though, one sees that floating a cow is routine and much faster than first thought. Everyone needs to get past the how-it-works part and focus on the important jobs – which cows to float? how to assess marginal cows? where can they fully recover afterwards?

“The important point is to know WHEN and WHICH cows to float, not to know that you CAN float a cow. The last thing you want is people running around floating any old down cow.”

Dr. David Anderson, Kansas State University

Helping the cow to help herself

A herdsman at one customer’s dairy put it best when describing their way of thinking.

“Our general philosophy is to assist the cow in what she’s already trying to do. For calving, let her open up so tissues will dilate naturally. For disease, let her natural defenses start their work. Don’t jump in and work against her.”

Jackie Schneckle
Maternity Herdsman
Holsum Dairies, Hilbert, WI.

“To assist the cow in what she’s already trying to do…”
Isn’t this what we see in these images as the cow uses the ballast of rising water to stand up? Is there a better example of supportive therapy than an injured cow standing in deep warm water?

About the Website

Dairy farms have protocols for many situations - fresh cow care, feeding calves, milking, and so forth. A down cow may not be a regular event, but it is an emergency and someone should know what to do. This website divides a course of action into 3 different stages, as illustrated in the diagram below. Most of the information comes from bovine veterinarians and dairy farmers who have experience working with down cows and the Aqua Cow tank.

1. The dairy farmer’s job:
Prevent Further Damage; First Observations & General Exam

In this section vets and dairy farmers say (1) what they do to keep a cow from further harm and (2) what they look for on first approach & inspection. What should be reported in a consultation with the dairy vet over the phone? When might a vet advise, or a farmer decide, to float the cow without the vet examining her first?
www.downcow.com/prevent/

2. The dairy vet’s job:
Conduct a physical exam

Your dairy vet, by ruling out or treating conditions that won’t respond to hydrotherapy, can save you the cost and time of floating a cow to no purpose. A physical exam not only increases the chances of success in the Aqua Cow tank; it’s preparation for identifying hidden problems that become evident when the cow stands in the tank. While all vets would agree there’s no substitute for hands-on evaluation, it’s still useful to describe the means and ends of a physical exam. www.downcow.com/physicalexam/

3. The Aqua Cow tank’s job:
to raise the cow safely and to continue supporting her for hours without pressure

What should happen when an alert down cow is considered a good candidate for the float tank? This section has all the information about the Aqua Cow Rise System - from sales to operations to water systems to case studies.
www.downcow.com/aquacow/