Australian Owen Henry has developed an innovative solution to the mounting waste tyre problem in the country: cattle mats made from recycled tyres for use in farms. With funding assistance from Tyre Stewardship Australia, Taurus Mats was formed and custom-produces woven tyre mats locally. The mats reduce fall injuries in hooved farm animals such as cattle, and facilitate the improved handling of livestock.
Taurus Mats’woven tyre tread mats are fastened with steel studs and anchored to the ground in high traffic areas for livestock.Each square metre of the mats use up to 19 tyre treads. The tyre sidewalls can be used for silage clamps or can be further recycled by additional processes.
Henry has trialled them under feed bins in cattle yards and the Australian-made mats were more affordable than the American version. Henry has worked for a company that sold American-made recycled tyre mats to stop cattle slipping in feedlots.
Taurus Mat’s are currently the only solution to two big issues in Australia – utilising the ever-growing stockpile of waste tyres and the humane treatment of cattle.