Appleton Steel, Inc.
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Appleton Steel, Inc. - Manufacturer of quality hydraulic hoof trimming chutes, located in Wisconsin, USA. Pure steel and quality parts. Durable and reliable.
The clear choice of professional hoof trimmers around the world. Personal customer service.
Join us live on the chute deck in 15 min.
10:30am CST
Who’s next? ⏱️
Time is precious, and when it comes to moving cows, every second counts.
But time on the hoof is non-negotiable.
Each cow needs the time it takes to evaluate her feet, do the work correctly, and give her the quality trim she deserves. That’s not where you increase output.
You increase output by increasing cow flow.
With the Appleton Ultra Texas Head Gate + Rear Sort Gate combo, you can keep cows moving—getting the finished cow out and the next cow in with less waiting and less downtime between trims.
Because shaving seconds off the trim isn’t the goal.
Shave seconds off the cow flow.
More efficient cow flow. More cows through the chute. Without sacrificing the time that matters most.
08/21/2026
Ever have the feeling you are being watched?
08/21/2026
8 Week Series: The Evolution of Professional Hoof Trimming
Post 3 — A New Profession Is Born
As lameness became a growing concern, dairy producers recognized something important:
Healthy feet meant healthier cows.
This wasn’t just about making a hoof shorter. It required understanding anatomy, weight distribution, claw balance, lesions, and how a cow moves.
Slowly, a new profession emerged.
Professional hoof trimmers began traveling from farm to farm, helping producers care for one of the most overlooked parts of the cow.
What started as a necessity became a specialized trade requiring knowledge, skill, and experience.
For the first time, hoof care became preventative—not just reactive.
A lot can change in 20 years.
In this video, you’ll see a 2006 chute followed by a 2026 Appleton—two decades of difference that show just how far hoof trimming equipment has come.
Some changes have been small tweaks. Others have been massive improvements. But each one has been made with a purpose: keeping the cow safer, reducing stress on both the cow and the trimmer, and making the trimmer’s day run smoother.
The equipment has evolved. The industry has evolved. And we’ll keep listening, learning, and improving right along with it.
Because building a great chute isn’t about doing things the way they’ve always been done. It’s about continuing to ask how we can make them better.
08/19/2026
How old were you when you learned cows needed their hooves trimmed?
08/18/2026
🔧 TRIMMER TUESDAY —
Nathan Ranallo 🔧
📍 Nate the Hoof Guy | West Salem, Wisconsin
🐄 24 years hoof trimming
This week we’re featuring Nathan Ranallo, owner of Nate the Hoof Guy!
Nathan has been trimming for 24 years. He got his start while working on a dairy, where he met hoof trimmer Wayne Wendt, who took the time to train him and helped get him started in the industry.
Outside of trimming, Nathan enjoys life with his wife, Kari, and their three children.
🐄 Most common hoof issue:
Digital dermatitis.
⚙️ Favorite feature of the Appleton chute:
The minimal maintenance and the reliability and durability.
Nathan has a pretty impressive track record to back that up. In 24 years of trimming, he’s run only two Appleton chutes and has experienced very few breakdowns during that time.
💪 Hardest part of being a professional hoof trimmer:
The wear and tear it puts on your body.
🏆 Most rewarding part:
Seeing the dramatic improvements that can happen when a farm implements a sound hoof maintenance program.
After 24 years in the industry, Nathan has seen firsthand the difference consistent hoof care can make—and we’re glad to have him as part of the Appleton Steel family!
👏 Thanks for letting us share your story, Nathan!
Are you a professional hoof trimmer? We’d love to feature YOU on an upcoming Trimmer Tuesday! Send us a message through Facebook Messenger and we’ll send you our questionnaire.
And while you’re at it, nominate another hoof trimmer you think deserves a spotlight! 👇
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Telephone
Website
Address
1520 W Haskel Street
Appleton, WI
54914
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4pm |