Cow shed design could be the key to improving milk yields

Cattle: Making dairy housing as comfortable as possible ‘can pay off’

When it comes to driving milk yields or addressing challenges in herd health, the effects of cow shed design often go ignored.

But focusing on a few simple factors to make dairy housing as comfortable as possible can have a major impact on herd productivity and welfare, according to an expert in cow housing.

Nigel Cook, clinical associate professor in animal production at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says optimising bunk space, resting space and resting behaviour are key to successful dairy systems.

And while it is often simpler to think about these issues when building a new shed, farmers can still reap the benefits from retrospectively fitting equipment and making changes.

“There are costs associated with making changes, but getting things right in the barn can do great things,” he said.

From a bunk space perspective, cows need enough space to feed at the same time, suggesting that two-row systems providing 30 inches per cow work better than three-row ones offering 18 inches.

“We have learned that when cows don’t eat at the same time, they won’t come back to eat later, they’ll just eat less,” said Dr Cook.

As well as space, timing of the ration is also important – particularly in three-row systems where space is at a premium.

As a minimum, Dr Cook suggests a push-up an hour after the feed has first been delivered, again after milking, and an hour after milking to ensure cows come back for fresh feed.

“It’s all about the quality the second group is getting,” he added.

“The larger, dominant cows will get feed, but it’s the lower third of the herd where you are really going to make a difference to production.”

To ensure milk production is optimised, cows need 12 hours of rest a day, but Dr Cook says many barn designs can prevent cows being properly rested.

Overstocking, uncomfortable bedding, heat stress and enforced, unnecessary time away from bedding areas can all impact cows’ resting behaviour, yet are relatively simple to solve.

“The biggest impact you can have on resting behaviour is heat stress,” said Dr Cook.

Installing water sprays and recirculation vents to manage heat are a good place to start, he believes.

There are costs associated with making changes, but getting things right in the barn can do great things. DR NIGEL COOK

Getting the design right for the cow shed can help drive up milk yields and improve animal health, according to Dr Nigel Cook, an expert in animal production at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States.