Editor’s note: This article was written by Ralph Bruno, veterinarian and extension agent with Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Canyon, Texas and first appeared in the Texas Dairy Matters newsletter.
The growth of the dairy industry in the Southwest region of the US has been remarkable. Large dairy operations adopted several housing styles for their animals and equipped the facilities with new production-enhancing technologies to optimize production of high quality milk.
For economic and animal care reasons, the dairy industry incorporated housing and management practices that reduce environmental risks while improving cattle health and comfort. The new systems accommodate normal cow behavior, enhance animal wellbeing, and result in fewer sick cows that require treatment. Improved consumer confidence and dairy product image results.
Animal scientists and dairy farmers continually explore different ways to improve the comfort of dairy cows. Cows must be doing one of three things: eating/drinking, milking or resting.
In order to promote cow comfort, follow these practices:
Housing
- Provide cows free access to feed and clean water 24 hours a day – Modern dairy design allows cows to eat, drink and rest whenever and wherever they choose.
- Equip barns/freestalls with fans and cooling systems to minimize heat stress.
- Ensure skid-resistant floors to reduce injuries; increase mobility to feed, water and resting areas; and accommodate estrous activity.
- Adjust the freestall size to the animal size and create a comfortable bed, preferably of sand.
To evaluate stall design for cow comfort, ask these questions:
1. Do cows appear comfortable and content when standing or lying in stalls?
2. Do cows lie backward in stalls or in alleys?
3. Do cows stand half-in or half-out of stalls?
4. Do cows stand in stalls in an angular fashion?
5. Are all stalls used equally?
6. When cows normally rest, are more than 20 to 30 percent standing in the stalls?
7. Are cow udders dirty?
Answering questions 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 with a “yes” or questions 1 and 5 with a “no” identifies areas that need improvement.
Ventilation
- Design ventilation systems to prevent high humidity in winter and heat build-up in summer. Provide air flow across all cows.
Poorly ventilated barns have an ammonia odor. Cows may be coughing, have nasal discharge, or moisture on their hair coat.
Feeding
- Design diets to provide all the nutrients required for the cow’s stage of lactation and reproductive status. Provide feed at least 20 hours a day.
- Push-up feed frequently during the day.
- Clean feed bunks at least once a day and discard refusals.
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