by Johan Hoewe

In South Africa we have been cutting cows’ hooves correctly for the last 22 years. Before this period, animals of the highest quality was lost due to the lack of knowledge about how to pick up a one ton plus bull’s hoof without injury and to cut it smoothly.

Many animals, especially breeding bulls, became cripple and had to be slaughtered. As a result, valuable genetics have been lost. About a hundred years ago, Americans and Europeans designed the first handling chute to handle animals comfortably and without injury. The first handling chute that arrived in South Africa worked mechanically, and later hydraulic models were made.

There are hydraulic handling chutes in which the animal stands upright (picture 1 and 2). His legs are raised one by one to work on them. There is also a hydraulic chute that tilts so that the cattle can lie on his side while working on his legs (photo 3).

The problem with the imported hydraulic handling chutes is that they are very expensive and difficult to transport. It can only be used efficiently in the dairy industry where up to 250 cattle’s hooves are cut daily and where the hoof cutter can settle in a specific area.

For the expo/show and meat industry, a hydraulic handling chute is not cost effective because show teams usually consist of only ten cattle. The main hoof cutter for this industry must also travel long distances, even across borders to neighboring countries. In South Africa there are currently seven hydraulic handling chutes, one of which is a tilting table. All of them are mainly used for dairy cattle.

I prefer the mechanical handling chute, and not just because it costs less. It is foldable and I can load it quick quick on my usual bakkie/truck to deliver excellent service anywhere in Southern Africa (photo 4). Another reason is that my mechanical handling chute fits onto any press chute of wood or steel.

Show cattle and breeding bulls are much calmer and more relaxed when they move through their own, trusted press chutes to the handling chute.A third reason is that with a mechanical system you can feel exactly how much power you exert on a cow’s legs. It is relatively easy to get the hang of cutting hooves, but handling the cow until it is safe and without injury in the handling chute is the real challenge. The main cutter should never be in a hurry when working with animals. They get rattled, fall easily and injure themselves.

Lastly, farmers should not try to cut their cows’ hooves properly. It is important to cut at exactly the right level to improve the walking ability of the cow and to make it easier for them. I have encountered a number of instances where the farmer tried it himself and caused major damage.

Please contact me for any problems with cattle’s hooves: Phone 082-568-5034, e-mail info@johanhoewe.co.za. Also visit www.johanhoewe.co.za and become a pickup friend at https://www.facebook.com/profi le.p? Id = 100012074380350 & ref = br_rs.