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COW COMFORT
Dr. Andy JohnsonTotal Herd Management Services, Inc
Clintonville, Wisconsin 54929
Free Stall Barns and Tie Stall/Stanchion Barns
Where Success is WON or LOST!
What If the USALost the War in
Iraq???
They work in parlors too! They work in parlors too!
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They work in parlors too! They work in parlors too!
Don’t under estimate the importanceof the cow’s environment
Cow comfort is #1 reason forHIGH or LOW milk production
and CULL RATE!
Cow ComfortWhen a cow is standing, she
circulates 228 liters of blood per hour through her udder
When a cow is laying, she circulates 342 liters of blood per hour through her udderCow Comfort Creates More Milk!
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Cow Comfort Realized Cow Comfort and Environment
1. Increased DM intake, increased production
2. Decreased environmental mastitis
3. Increased conception
4. Decreased foot problems
The only correct answer to most questions is:
“It Depends!”
LISTEN TO THE COW!
They always tell the truth or the real story!!
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Cow Friendly Environment
1. Ventilation: All Four Seasons
2. Stall design and maintenance
3. Access to feed and water
4. Skid resistant walking surface
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Cow’s Three Key PositionsYou are losing money if the cow:
1. Is not at the manger eating
2. Is not at the parlor being milked
3. Is not laying down in the stall
DON’T IGNORE THE ENVIRONMENT!
The environment is the key to quality milk! Does This Manure Matter???
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Low Level Mud
Mature Cow 0-10cm 1st Lactation Heifer 0-10cm
Source Of ManureMay Surprise You!
Scrapers Must Run Often Source Of Manure
Medium Level Mud
Cows Heifers
Let’s not use weather as an EXCUSE to mismanage your dairy
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Bad Environment
Free Stall BarnsIf the cows are not comfortable,
they will not use the stalls.
Cows must be able to get up and down without problems.
What Are The Stalls Telling You??Less Than 5% Is The Goal!!
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Free Stall BarnsSigns of a problem
How many lunge attempts to get up?
Are there shinny spots on the loop?
Are loops breaking off their supports?
Signs of Poor Cow Comfort
Signs of Poor Cow Comfort Signs of Poor Cow Comfort
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Signs of Poor Cow ComfortSigns of Poor Cow ComfortTie Stall/Stanchion Barns
Swollen Hocks
Stepped On Teats
Signs of Poor Cow ComfortTie Stall/Stanchion Barns Improper Lunge Space
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Improper Lunge Space Proper Lunge Space
Normal Lunge Lunge Space
Many people will suggest as long as a cow canlunge straight forward, that is good enough!
LISTEN TO THE COW!!
OK
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Lunge Space
Give the cow every option and she will decide!2 out of 3 cows prefer to lunge to the side!
OK OK
OK
Lunge Space
OK OK
OK
LATEST DATA SHOWS COWS THAT DO NOT HAVE SIDE LUNGE, THE HERDS WILL HAVE HIGHER SCC AND HIGHER CULL RATES
Lunge SpaceTie Stalls
Lunge SpaceTie Stalls
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Improve Lunge SpaceTie Stalls
Proper Measurements for Proper Lunge Space
Most critical measurement 23-25 cm maximum
Outside Wall Lunge SpaceIs Also Important
What are the cows telling you?
Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
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Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
Proper Loop Design
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Proper Loops NeedLonger Lower RailAnd Be Placed CloserTo The Cow Bed
Longer Lower RailKeeps Cow StraightIn The Stall
At least 60cm backOf brisket board
Proper Loop Design
Proper Loop DesignThe facts:
Lower cull rates
More comfort
Less injuries
The Correct Curb Design
Sand: 25 cm alley side, 20 cm cow side Mattress: 20 cm both sides
25 cm 20 cmWalkAlley
CowBed
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Cow ComfortBrisket Board Benefits
1. Cow position in stall better so cow cleaner
2. Cow gets up easier, it braces her as she lunges
Cow ComfortBrisket Board Dimensions
1. 168-173 cm from back of curb
2. 35-40% above bedding level with rest below
Cow ComfortBrisket Board Failures
Board Too LargeBoard Mounted Too HighBoard Too Far Forward
Improper Brisket Board Location
Too far forward >173 cm
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Improper Brisket Board Location
Mounted Too High
Low Neck Rails = Discomfort
Less than 112 cm
Low Neck Rails = Discomfort
Less than 100 cm
OLD FACILITIESYou don’t have to tear down
what you already have.
You just need to modify itto improve cow comfort!
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Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort
Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow ComfortRemodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort
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Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort High Neck Rails Are Not The Solution
Never want cows standing in stall with all four feet!
Manure Piles Under Loops; Common Sign of Wide Stalls
Wide Stalls Are Not The AnswerEspecially If We Talk Quality Milk!!
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Wide Stalls
Greater than 118 cm wide
Wide Stalls
Wide Stalls Upside Down Loops
It is a BIG mistake!
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Neck Rail Location168 cm
Backs of Stalls Are Dirtier
Proper Neck Rail Location
152 to 163 cm from back curb to
beginning of neck rail
Free StallDoes not mean
“Free of Maintenance”Cross Over Alleys Major Cause Of Dirty Cows
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Free Stall Maintenance
MODIFIED RAKE/SCRAPER MAKES IT EASIER!
Modified Tool For Free Stall Maintenance
Scraper
Rake
Free Stall Maintenance
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Flush System
Flush SystemFlush System
BEFORE FLUSHING
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Flush System
AFTER FLUSHING
Barn Yard Care Is Critical
Cows Must Not Have Access To Manure!
Proper Floor Surface Improper Floor Surface
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“Comfortable”Floor Surface
Rubber Mats Add Comfort!
30 cm 61cm 120 cm 61cm
“Comfortable”Floor Surface
Rubber Mats Add Comfort!
“Uncomfortable”Floor In Parlor
Parallel Parlor – Severe twist on feet
“Comfortable”Floor Surface
Rubber Mats Add Comfort!
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Alley WidthReducing alley width is a poorchoice of ways to reduce cost.
Cow Alley 4 meters (Many 3 meters)Feed Alley 5 meters (Many 4 meters)
Alley WidthKey Reason For Dirty Cow Legs
When narrow, more manuresplashed on animal’s legs
regardless if over crowding or not!
Alley WidthCow Alley
NOTE: After 12 hours, manure load minimal!Approximately 25% total manure
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Alley WidthFeed Alley
NOTE: After 12 hours, manure load heavy!Approximately 75% total manure
Manure Creates Mastitis
***
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The True Value Of Sand
Sand Mattress
Issue Sand MattressLameness 15% 25%Hock/Legs 10.4% 24.4%Culling 26% 38%Milk Production 26,058 24,064
VALUE: $12/cwt and 100 cow dairyMilk $23,928Lameness $7,400Culling $ 18,000TOTAL: $ 49,330 $500/cow/year
How much are manure pumps????
The True Value Of Sand
Sand Mattress
Worth $1.66 more incomeper hundred pounds
of milk produced higher milk price when compared to
mattress herds.
Sand is the Best Bedding
After that, you choose your own poison!
Sand is Comfort
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Sand is Comfort Properly Installed TiresReduce Sand Use By25-35%!
Tires Must Be HandPacked With Sand And Be 7-10 cmBelow The Curb
Improper Tire Placement Causes Poor Cow Comfort
Decrease SandUse “Sand Trap”
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Decrease SandUse “Sand Trap”
University of Georgia Study NMC 2003 Proceedingsshowed best success with “Sand Trap” in reducing sand use and best cow comfort
Sand in Stanchion And Tie Stall Barns
Cleaner CowsMore ComfortBetter FootingLower Somatic Cell CountsLess Clinical MastitisLess Leg InjuriesLess Stepped on Teats
Sand in Tie Stalls Sand in Tie Stalls
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Handling Sand
It is getting easier!
Handling Sand
Sand Shooters Do An Excellent Job!
Mattress Stalls Mattress Stalls
•Never were designed to eliminate bedding•Loose cushion effect in 2-3 years•Only those selling suggest no bedding to justify high cost.•Dirtier cows•More hock and leg injuries
HOWEVER!
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Mattress Stalls
•If managed correctly, they can work well•Fantastic for tie stall or stanchion barns•Extra padding •Bedding keepers•90 plus pounds of milk•Under 150,000 SCC
Mattress Stalls
Mattress Stalls Mattress StallsTie Stalls/Stanchions
Mattresses Must Be Bedded!
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Sanitizing Mattress Stalls
•Scrape Back 30 inches (75 cm) of stall•Spray Stall with Tek-trol* weekly
–300cc per 3 gallons (11.3 liters) of water–Does 125 stalls
•Pull fresh bedding over sprayed area
* Biotek Industries 404-799-2050
Mat Stalls
Calcium CarbonateReduces Bacteria
But, It Could Cause Other Problems!!
Organic Bedding
Wood Products Must Be Dry and Clean
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Organic Bedding
Sawdust Is Fine If There IS Enough
Organic Bedding
Gutter Grates Are Great. But You Still Need Bedding
Organic Bedding
Chopped Straw Preferred Over Long StrawStraw Yields Higher Levels Strep Uberis
Organic Bedding
Bedding Keepers Provide More ComfortIf Managed Properly. (Clean and Dry)
1.25 cm
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Organic Bedding
Separated Manure Needs Daily Grooming
Bedding Packs Require Lots Of Labor andLots and Lots of Bedding
This is not a bedding pack, it is a shit pack!!
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Sand Calving Pens are Great, however,They too need lots of labor and care!
The Sooner EveryDairy Farm Understands
There is a HUGE Difference Between Calving Pens and
Pre-Fresh Packs,
The Better Their Milk Quality Will Be!
Over 65% of all clinical mastitis that occurs in the first 120 days of lactation are from the pre-
fresh area and calving pens.
Cumulative risk of mastitis, by parity - SWEDEN
0,000,030,050,080,100,130,150,180,200,230,25
-15 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195 210 225 240 255 270 285 300
Days from calving -15 to +300
cum
ulat
ive
risk
cum risk_allcum risk_4+cum risk_3cum risk_2cum risk_1
39 % of treatments of mastitis day -3 to +15
1-2 %*
Østerås, Lindberg et al, 2002
Calving Pens:
On less 2 hours prior to calving, off within 24 hours after
calving.
All in and all out on bedding
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MIXING TWO BEDDINGS TOGETHER
CREATES HIGHER BACTERIAL LOADS
** **
****
As Bedding is Allowedto Build Up,
Environmental Bacteria Numbers Increase.
Changing Bedding Oftenis Best.
Ventilation Systems
-Must be able to handle all types of weather conditions
-Have significant impact on milk production
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Ventilation• 30-45 meters clearance between
adjacent buildings or structures• Gabled roofs
– roof pitch - 4:12– ridge vent
• 30cm plus 5 cm for each 3 meters of width caps needs to be avoided
• Sidewall Height
Open Roof Critical4:12 Pitch Best
5 cm Per 3 meters Recommended, 7.5 cm Better!!
Side Wall Height CriticalEspecially In Hot Weather
3.65 – 4.3 meter Side Walls Should be the Minimum
4.9 meter Side Walls Preferred(In six row, this is a must)
Open Old Buildings UpTo Improve Air Quality And Cow Comfort!
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Updating Old Barns
Some One Always Goes TOO Far
Maximum Natural Ventilation
Natural Ventilation in Tie Stalls FANS• Air Movement Most Important
– Must have 5-7 mph air movement• Hand Held Wind Meter • Identifies “dead spots” in barns
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Turbo Meter
Electronic Wind Speed Indicator
Davis InstrumentsModel DS 1051011-800-368-2516
(Goal: 7 mph)
Tunnel VentilationExcellent method to cool cows for
stanchion and tie-stall barns (remodel),
Used when freestall barn is in poor location for natural ventilation, has improper pitch and low sidewalls
Air velocity of 5-7 mph at cow level
Tunnel VentilationExample Barn
70 cow tie-stall
38 feet
9 feet
160 feet
Tunnel VentilationNRAES 120, 1998Publication DPC 12
Mechanical Ventilation in Free Stalls
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Tunnel Ventilation
A must for tie stall and stanchion barns.Will decrease level environmental mastitis
Tunnel Ventilationvelocity is excellent, distribution of air is the challengehard to keep air moving at cow level the length of the
barnoutside walls tend to have “dead-spots”must locate fans low for best ventilation at the cow level best used in low sided or closed up barns, or milking
centers
Over Ventilated LIGHTING Need 16-18 Hours of Light
5 to 16% more milk production
2 to 5 kg more milk production
KEY: Must have 6-8 hours total darkness.
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LIGHTING
5 foot candles or less equals darkness
20 foot candles or more equals ideal lighting for the cows
Light Meter: Hand held works great tomeasure results!
LIGHTING
Hand Held Light Meter:GE Type 217 Light Meter
New Lights Over Feed Managers
117 cm
51 cm 43 cm
5 cm
20 cm
10 cm
5 cmneck rail
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Good Mangers
What A Beautiful Sight, Lot’s Of Cows Eating!
Good Mangers
What A Beautiful Sight, Lot’s Of Cows Eating!
Poor Manger Design Poor Manger Design
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Poor Manger Design
Note Severe Neck Bruises
Good Manger Design
Good Manger Design??? Good Manger Design
A Smooth Eating Surface Is Important
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Lock Ups
Tipped Straight
Extra Feeding Space
Water is Wealth Water is Wealth
Every New Facility Should Have Water MetersTo Monitor Water Intakes!
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Water Intake Meters:
An absolute must on every dairy farm.
Water is Wealth
Normal Daily Need Of Milk Cow
25-35 gallons/95-133 liters(More if hot weather or cow is high producing)
Water Space5 – 6.5 cm Per Cow
Crossover Less Than 3.8 meters Limits Feed and Water Intake
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Trough Space on Exit Lanes
60 cm of Water per Parlor Stall
Lack of Water Is A Key Reason for Low Milk Production
Lack of Water
Common Cause Poor Milk Production
Clean Water SupplyPoor Water Supply
Water At Parlor Exit Makes A Positive Difference
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Water In Parlors Makes More Milk New Water Cup Provides
More Water To Cow
Water Cups Should Not Be OnThe Cow Side of Stall
Water is Wealth
Lack Of Water Pressure A Major Problem In
Tie Stall/Stanchion Barns
Do Pressure Test TonightImproving Water Availability In Tie Stall BarnsPVC Pipe and Float A Low Cost Addition
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Water Trough In Tie Stall Barns Increases Milk Production
5 Pound or 2.5 Kg Increase in Milk Production Each Day
Water is Wealth
34 inch
20” 5.5”
Giving Cows Adequate Water Makes A Difference!
Sakai Water Trough Design
14 cm
15 c
m
15 cm
2 cm
2 cm
2 cm
1.5 cm
120 120
105
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Water is Wealth
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Water is Wealth Water is Wealth
Poor Water Fountain Palpation Rail
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Palpation Rail
Note open end for easy unloading
Cows With Cleaner Udders Can Be Milked
Faster!
** **
****
Flaming Udders
Makes a Major Difference in Milk Quality and Parlor Performance
Flaming Udders
Flame Udders On Every AnimalWhen They Enter
The Pre-Fresh Group
Flame All Animals As Needed During Lactation
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The Super Torch
Parlor or Tie Stall Version
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Stanchion Flaming Parlor Flaming