Updates

Price Reduction

Stainless tanks $5,800                       Steel tanks $4,250

(Includes all attachments; shipping is not included.)      

Over the past few years steeply rising steel prices forced higher prices. In 2007 & 2008 the stainless tank cost  $6,750 and the steel tank $4,500. Recently we took advantage of a drop in stainless prices and again can offer new tanks at near 2005 levels. This means moving several tanks in inventory at below cost (mfg. when steel was high). We cannot very well ask customers to buy these tanks at margin and then turn around and sell the next batch of tanks for $1,000 less. But until this inventory is gone, the $200 discount for immediate payment has been suspended.   Go to Aqua Cow / Sales & Distribution

A recent study at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine draws attention to an approach  Aqua Cow owners have been practicing for years - using the flotation tank as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.  In theory, a thorough physical exam is needed before deciding on treatment. In practice, though, the combination of a cow’s heavy musculature and her prone position makes diagnosis difficult. If a clinic or farm has a tank available, it's common sense to use it and see how the cow responds. Standing and supported by water, the cow will show her weaknesses. The Cornell study identifies indicators that suggest a good or poor prognosis as a result of the first flotation. We supplement these findings with the observations of custom cow floaters who have worked with thousands of cows.

Go to Conduct a Physical Exam. To see the Cornell Study go to Publications - Resources / Aqua Cow / Veterinary Research / Cornell JAVMA.234.9

Maps:

This new feature will show, state by state, where Aqua Cow tanks are located. The first map contrasts Wisconsin with Minnesota.  A gradually widening sales pattern in Wisconsin points to the influence of 1st hand observation on sales. Because several custom services cover much of the Wisconsin, farmers and vets saw the method for themselves and  became interested. By contrast, without custom services to demonstrate, Minnesota's dairies and vet clinics have not been asking.  (Entrepreneurs take note: Minnesota dairy vets identify many opportunities for custom cow floating services.) Go to:  Aqua Cow Rise System / Mapping Aqua Cow

Videos from U. Montreal

We welcome advances in on-line video technology. Unfortunately so far livestock handlers have received a black eye.Recently a few clips on U- TUBE showing stockyard abuse of injured cows angered the public. Such incidents have made downer cows a focal issue for activists. Let’s realize, however, the same technology has broader potential to educate both farmers and the public about effective and humane care for these cows.

To illustrate, take a look at videos from the University of Montreal’s Faculte de medecine veterinaire website.  The videos play on Windows Mediaplayer version 9  (with Windows XP, Windows 98, Me 2000 )

We thank Dr. Andre Desrochers and colleagues for permission to connect to their fabulous website. As will be evident, their teaching hospital is a leader in multimedia veterinary training.

http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/video/mediatheque/francais/ferme/defaut.htm

The link connects you to a section of their website called

Videos en diffusion progressive. (videos for distribution)

Animaux de la ferme (farm animals)

The website’s left hand column shows selections starting with Anatomie, Comportement and so forth.

Instructions:

1. Click on Musculosquelettique
2. Scroll down the menu until you find the video called Mise en  piscine d'une vache avec problèmes musculaires
3. Now that you’re here, please take a few minutes to sample other instructional  videos made by Dr. Desrochers and colleagues. These segments show how particular injuries are assessed in a physical exam. To sample, click on the short versions listed as 41K.