Cow comfort & Diet
Get your cows to lie down longer with EnviroBed and achieve the following;
|
More cow productivity
Increase milk yields
Affordable solution |
Increase rumenation
Reduction in vet bills
Less stress |
Your cows should be eating, drinking, milking and lying down
Using EnviroBed in a shallow-bed system means your cows to lie down more comfortably.
The Shallow-bed system was popular in the late 1970's, developed by Newton Rigg Agricultural College. This system is still being extensively used in the Netherlands and has given them excellent result with the use of EnviroBed in the system. Today significant numbers of UK farmers have gone back to basics, favouring the shallow-bed system as it helps them improve cow comfort as it is known that that 70% of rumenation occurs when the cow is in the lying position. The extra comfort also can ensure against hock damage whilst being economical on bedding usage. The system can be adapted from existing deep bed sand or straw cubicles as well as being easy to implement from mats or matress systems. It is a simple way to keep cows clean and healthy with less work. The exceptional absorbency of EnviroBed means fluids are absorbed readily and the bedding stays healthy for longer. In the shallow-bed system EnviroBed forms a cushion for the hocks reducing abrasion and preventing hock damage. Photos
|
|
If you are currently using mats and matresses it is easy to test the system and see if your cows lie down more comfortably. Simply place a retaining batten onto the back of the cubicles so that a shallow-bed (5-6") of EnviroBed can be retained for the cows to lie on and keep comfortable and dry. Many farmers do the test by just doing this on one row initially and allowing the cows to tell them if it is their preferred surface. |
The shallow-bed system is the preferred cubicle bedding system in Holland to avoid hock damage and improve lying down times. EnviroBed was chosen as the ideal animal bedding to use in shallow-beds due to:
|
The density - stays in the beds better than sawdust, sand or straw
The high pH and copper content - discourages pathognic bacteria
Extreme absorbency - better lifespan from bedding |
 |
Diet and health
|
