Source: Ease the squeeze and create a breeze (Oct 24)
Text: Rachael Porter (Cow Management UK)
What are the housing ‘pinch points’ that producers could and should be tackling, particularly with the next round of DEFRA grant funding in mind? We spoke to some building specialists to find out more.
Where should producers be directing future investment in housing and buildings to get the best bang for their buck? And with the current round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grants coming to an end, and the focus shifting the next round in 2025, what should producers have on their wish lists to help improve herd health, welfare and, ultimately, productivity.
Derk Jacobi, from dairy housing and equipment company Spinder, urges producers to think about dry cow housing. His company’s cow cubicles are sold via Cheshire-based David R Beech Barn Equipment, and during visits to UK units Mr Jacobi has noticed that dry cows are often overlooked.
“Dry cows need more space and, therefore, bigger cubicles. But units typically fail to accommodate them and simply expect them to squeeze into beds that are designed for milking cows,” he says.
The three- or four-week period prior to entering the closeup group, which is often spent in straw yards, is critical to successful transition. “If cows are unable to lie down comfortably and easily then they simply stand and don’t rest,” explains Mr Jacobi. “This puts a lot of pressure and stress on the heavily pregnant cow – particularly her feet – which can result in a myriad of issues. Reduced mobility and poor feed intakes are just the start.”
Dry cows in the far-off period and housed in cubicles must have access to some larger
cubicles that have been sectioned off specifically for them to use. “How much larger these cubicles need to be depends on the size of cows in the herd. As a rough guide, measure a sample of cows in the herd for hip width and then double it. That’s the width that the cubicles need to be for the milking herd. And then add 10cm, or preferably 15cm, to that width for the dry-cow cubicles.”
A typical cubicle today needs to be at least 1.15m wide – preferably 1.2m. So for dry cows, producers should be looking for at least 1.3m and preferably 1.35m wide. “This is something to think about when installing new cubicle housing, but it’s also possible to widen a section of existing cubicles to better accommodate far-off dry cows,” says Mr Jacobi.
“Every minute standing, for all cows regardless of where they are in the production cycle, is time wasted. So don’t squeeze extra cubicles into a shed and don’t squeeze dry cows into cubicles that are too small for them. Feet and rumination will both benefit if you give dry cows more space, and you’ll also set them up for better transition into the milking herd.”
