A down cow should never mean panic. We sit down with Dorset tenant farmer James Yeatman and Synergy Farm Health’s research lead, vet Rachel Hayton, to unpack a farmer-built “cow ambulance” that turns a stressful emergency into a calm, repeatable procedure. Born from love for cows and sharpened by hard lessons—and yes, a tough Panorama broadcast—this system pairs a purpose-built, rounded-edge, rubber-lined bucket with a simple reel and straps, then anchors it all with a nine-step training method any well-briefed team can follow.

We trace the journey from improvised bucket-rolls and hip lifter misuse to a standard that reduces bruising, cuts secondary injuries, and lowers antibiotic use. James explains the practical design choices: a visible green cross, dedicated storage so nothing goes missing, and a steering-wheel reel for safer operation. Rachel brings the clinical lens and the data: with Innovate UK support, 15 farms logged outcomes from more than a hundred recoveries, revealing fewer people needed, less disruption, and better cow comfort when recovery was realistic. The big picture is compelling—improved welfare, stronger staff safety, and a more professional public image when phones and auditors are watching.

We also talk about culture change. Filming real loadings and critiquing them wasn’t easy, but it accelerated learning across farms. The online training (lifetime access with the kit) helps new staff build confidence fast, and the team is developing guidance on acceptable hip lifter use, nursing, and prevention—because getting off concrete early and onto sure footing can be the difference between standing and giving up. At around £4,995 delivered in mainland UK, the system can pay for itself by saving just a few cows and avoiding injuries, while giving your team a safer, calmer way to work.

Ready to professionalise down cow care on your unit, reduce risk, and protect trust in British dairy? Follow, share, and leave a review so more farm teams can find this conversation—and tell us: what’s the one change that most improved cow recovery on your farm?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly at podcast@chewinthecud.com