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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

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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!

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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