There are plenty of lifting devices to help downer cows get to their feet, but North Yorkshire dairy farmer Jonathan Caygill reckons his Easy Cow Lift gives the best combination of simplicity and support for the cow where it’s most needed.

The material he uses is decommissioned quarry belting. This is semi-rigid, he says, so the cow is well supported over a wide area of her body, yet the material still has the flexibility needed.

The lifter can be attached to pallet forks or a muck fork and cows can be left in the raised position for relatively long periods while they are stripped and milked. It fits all beef and dairy cows and can easily be removed when the cow is still standing. Cost is £245 plus £35 delivery.

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