Care-for-Cows Lets the Livestock Massage and Look After Themselves
Omar Yusuf — October 22, 2011 — Unique
References: andreij & treehugger
No mammal is immune to the positive effects of a thorough massage; a simple tautology that inspired the Swedish agricultural company Sveaverken AB to design the Care-for-Cows system, which allows the penned up animals to caress and stroke themselves ad nauseum.
Domesticated animals are the subject of endless physical attention -- whether it's belly rubs or a simple neck scratch -- so why aren't the animals we industrially raise given the same soothing treatment? The lack of an adequate answer has led to the development of Care-for-Cows, a rubber massage brush intended for autonomous use by dairy cows. Once installed, the livestock naturally gravitate toward the brush, whose health benefits go beyond mere comfort. The ensuing massage helps improve blood circulation in the capillaries beneath the cow's skin and simultaneously removes the fleas and parasites they play host to. Because the welfare of livestock is coming under growing scrutiny, the Care-for-Cow system manages to comfort the lonely animals and simultaneously placate the public.
Domesticated animals are the subject of endless physical attention -- whether it's belly rubs or a simple neck scratch -- so why aren't the animals we industrially raise given the same soothing treatment? The lack of an adequate answer has led to the development of Care-for-Cows, a rubber massage brush intended for autonomous use by dairy cows. Once installed, the livestock naturally gravitate toward the brush, whose health benefits go beyond mere comfort. The ensuing massage helps improve blood circulation in the capillaries beneath the cow's skin and simultaneously removes the fleas and parasites they play host to. Because the welfare of livestock is coming under growing scrutiny, the Care-for-Cow system manages to comfort the lonely animals and simultaneously placate the public.
Trend Themes
1. Animal Self-care - Designing systems that allow animals to take care of themselves could lead to disruptive innovation in animal welfare and agriculture industries.
2. Autonomous Grooming Tools - Developing grooming tools that can be used autonomously by animals could disrupt the animal care market and reduce the need for manual labor in agriculture.
3. Innovative Animal Welfare Practices - Exploring new ways to improve animal welfare, such as providing access to self-care tools, could lead to disruptive innovation in agriculture and food production industries.
Industry Implications
1. Animal Welfare - Developing innovative animal welfare practices, such as allowing animals to take care of themselves, could disrupt and improve the animal welfare industry.
2. Agriculture Technology - Creating autonomous grooming tools for livestock could disrupt traditional agriculture practices and lead to increased efficiency in the industry.
3. Food Production - Innovations in animal welfare practices and agriculture technology could lead to disruptive changes in the food production industry, improving animal welfare and food safety.
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