Rumen pump delivers fresh-cow solution

A 55-gallon barrel and 0.3-horsepower submersible pump is used to deliver a fresh-cow mixture to all fresh cows at Schmidt’s Ponderosa in Bonduel, Wis.

The barrel and pump are placed on a cart which makes it easy for one person to use the device, says Paul Schmidt, who operates the 750-cow dairy with several family members. A garden hose inside the barrel circulates the fresh-cow mixture. This hose attaches to a delivery wand. An adjustable valve on the wand controls the flow of the solution to the cow.

The dairy purchases the fresh-cow product through its veterinarian. Each fresh cow receives 10 gallons of the mixture for three consecutive days. The dairy also uses the pump system to provide a solution to hospital cows, such as those experiencing a displaced abomasum.

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