ENLARGE
Black Hills Agricultural Equipment, a Spearfish, SD based company, introduces a cattle head holder restraint – a device attached to most headgates designed to secure the heads of cattle while the animal is being treated, tagged or examined. The restraint reduces the possibility of injuries to cattlemen and the cattle being treated. The use of Russell's Cattle Restraint also saves time and money by reducing the time needed to treat an animal and by reducing the amount of medicine loss in the treatment process. It also provides a more humane way to keep cattle safe and comfortable during the treatment procedure.
The inventor of the restraint, Russell W. Kerns, has owned and maintained a small farm in central West Virginia for the past 50 years. About 40 years ago while Russell was treating some of his cattle for pink eye, a cow jerked its head which caused Russell to pierce his hand with a hypodermic needle. The needle extended completely through his hand which resulted in a painful injury that took a long time to heal. In talking with other farmers in the area, Russell learned that many other cattlemen had sustained similar injuries while treating robust cows that were moving and jerking their heads. Stories of broken fingers, smashed hands, damaged arms, long recovery periods and costly medical bills were frequently told.
Twenty years later, Russell came up with an idea and plan. He built his first model and has been using it ever since. Russell received a patent for his idea and prototype in June, 2007. He displayed this prototype at the 2008 West Virginia Cattleman's Beef Expo in Jackson's Mill, WV. The interest was great and Russell spent the next year working with manufactures to build this product for sale. Russell returned to the 2009 West Virginia Cattleman's Beef Expo and the area cattlemen were again enthusiastic about his product.
Russell's initial device was made out of wood but is now fabricating head restraints that are constructed with steel. Russell's continuing work has led to further improvements that allow his cattle head restraint to adjust for attachment to head
gates of virtually any type and size. Russell has also continued to improve upon his original apparatus to make the locking mechanism more used friendly and to reduce the total weight of the unit. An attachment can be added for calves as well.
“My patented cattle restraint has dramatically improved the way I treat my herd,” said Russell. “It saves time, improves efficiency, facilitates safety, and is more humane than any other method being used today. I don't know how I managed to get along without it.”
Russell's Cattle Restraint is on sale now at a special introductory price of $499.99. For more information or to order, visit www.blackhillsag.com or call 605-722-4432. The website includes an instruction manual and a link to a video with Russell himself, demonstrating the use of his cattle restraint.
The inventor of the restraint, Russell W. Kerns, has owned and maintained a small farm in central West Virginia for the past 50 years. About 40 years ago while Russell was treating some of his cattle for pink eye, a cow jerked its head which caused Russell to pierce his hand with a hypodermic needle. The needle extended completely through his hand which resulted in a painful injury that took a long time to heal. In talking with other farmers in the area, Russell learned that many other cattlemen had sustained similar injuries while treating robust cows that were moving and jerking their heads. Stories of broken fingers, smashed hands, damaged arms, long recovery periods and costly medical bills were frequently told.
Twenty years later, Russell came up with an idea and plan. He built his first model and has been using it ever since. Russell received a patent for his idea and prototype in June, 2007. He displayed this prototype at the 2008 West Virginia Cattleman's Beef Expo in Jackson's Mill, WV. The interest was great and Russell spent the next year working with manufactures to build this product for sale. Russell returned to the 2009 West Virginia Cattleman's Beef Expo and the area cattlemen were again enthusiastic about his product.
Russell's initial device was made out of wood but is now fabricating head restraints that are constructed with steel. Russell's continuing work has led to further improvements that allow his cattle head restraint to adjust for attachment to head
gates of virtually any type and size. Russell has also continued to improve upon his original apparatus to make the locking mechanism more used friendly and to reduce the total weight of the unit. An attachment can be added for calves as well.
“My patented cattle restraint has dramatically improved the way I treat my herd,” said Russell. “It saves time, improves efficiency, facilitates safety, and is more humane than any other method being used today. I don't know how I managed to get along without it.”
Russell's Cattle Restraint is on sale now at a special introductory price of $499.99. For more information or to order, visit www.blackhillsag.com or call 605-722-4432. The website includes an instruction manual and a link to a video with Russell himself, demonstrating the use of his cattle restraint.
Black Hills Agricultural Equipment is a privately held corporation that was founded for the purpose of manufacturing, marketing, and selling the invention of Russell W. Kerns, now known as “Russell’s Cattle Restraint.” The company is also actively involved with the further development of products that are designed to make the lives of cattlemen easier and safer. Black Hills Agricultural Equipment was incorporated in South Dakota on March 23, 2009.
