There has been growing interest in using recycled manure solids (RMS) as a bedding material. The benefits to cow comfort and the potential cost-savings are apparent, but there are plenty of unanswered questions and there is much to learn on how to mitigate the potential health risks.
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Farmers in England and Scotland using RMS must comply with strict conditions which have been agreed by DEFRA and the Scottish Government. Farmers must also be aware that the use of RMS can be stopped at any point by either DEFRA or the Scottish Government should uncontrolled risks to animal or human health emerge. Further information is available on the DairyCo website. There is clearly no such thing as the perfect bedding material, they all have positives and negatives, but bedding management and cubicle maintenance plays a key part. There are many mattresses and rubber mats on the market, but a good grip on the surface is needed to prevent slipping and sliding, but not too abrasive to cause injury. When selecting cubicle bases, try lying on them yourself to see if there are any obvious downsides, then carry out your own trial – your cows will soon tell you whether they are worth the investment.
Is there one ‘usable’ cubicle per cow? Cows are highly synchronised, lying down at similar times of the
day, which can result in more competition for cubicles and reduced lying time when cows are overstocked. Each cow should have access to one usable cubicle. Broken cubicles or those situated next to the water troughs that frequently get wet should not be counted as usable cubicles.
Are your cubicles the right size?
A UK survey showed that Holstein Friesian cows at pasture require a lying space of 2.4m long, 1.2m wide and an additional 0.6m length for lunging. When these parameters were considered, it was reported that 87% of cubicles in the study were too short and 50% either too wide or too narrow.
Once you have observed your cows, the first step is to fix what is broken or make minor changes to the neck rail or brisket board. Then use a tape measure to assess the dimensions of your existing
98 THE JOURNAL OCTOBER 2014
Lying time is not simple to measure, but observing how your cows interact with their cubicles can provide clues to what changes are needed
ABOVE A cow produces an extra litre of milk for every additional hour she lies, because some 30% more blood flows through the cow’s udder when she is lying down compared to standing.
’ cubicles.
Be sure to collect measurements for all types of cubicles in your shed. For example, the dimensions may be different for cubicles on the outside walls or if a different type of partition is used in one row. Once you have collected this information, compare your dimensions to the recommendations listed in DairyCo Dairy Housing – a best practice guide. Optimal cubicle dimensions will vary according to the size of your cows and there will always be compromises, but aim to cater for a typical third lactation cow. Remember, lying surface is the most important aspect of cubicle comfort. Replacing old cubicles with new ones will not improve cow comfort or lying times when the basics are not right.
DairyCo has produced a
troubleshooting guide to assist with identifying areas of improvement in the cows environment. To download your copy, visit:
www.dairyco.org.uk/hairloss and
www.dairyco.org.uk/swellings
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AGRIPHOTO
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