Preparing your buildings

PREPARE YOUR BUILDINGS TO KEEP YOUR COWS PERFORMING

As grass growth begins to decline and conditions underfoot start to deteriorate, it’s that time of year when cows are going to start to be housed again.  So now is the time to get ahead and make sure your buildings are in good condition and will allow cattle to perform to their maximum.

By providing the best housed environment for your cows you can help them produce more and remain healthy, so time spent getting the buildings in ready is a good investment.

Make the time to walk the buildings soon, checking the condition they are in and deciding what repairs or replacements are required.  Were there any bottlenecks of problems last winter that can be improved?  Doing this will mean you have time to get the buildings ready well before they need to be used.  Leave it late, and you may have to rush to get changes made or adapt your plan, both of which will affect how cows perform.

Water-tight sheds?

Leaks can lead to increased disease and push up bedding costs.  Harpers Farm Supplies now stock ‘Big 6’ fibre cement sheets and GRP rooflights to allow repairs to be made quickly.

Don’t hinder feed intakes

Maximising dry matter intakes is key to cost effective milk production and anything that discourages cows from eating is costing you money.  Make sure feed barriers and troughs are easy to eat from and in good condition. We can supply several different barriers from both Bateman and Teemore to suit your needs. We also keep an extensive range of troughs in stock.

Water is key

Cows need a good supply of clean, fresh water.  Make sure you have sufficient water troughs with adequate flow to refill quickly.  We are seeing increased interest in stainless steel troughs with fast emptying bungs. Their ease of use and increased hygiene makes them ideal for youngstock and dairy cattle. We also keep a wide-ranging stock of Granant and Page concrete troughs.

Cow comfort

Dairy cows need to be lying down for around 14 hours per day to maximise blood flow to the udder to optimise milk yields. If cows stand rather than lie down, they produce less and are at greater risk of foot issues.  All this means cubicles and areas of loose housing must be comfortable.  Check for damaged or broken partitions and replace them.  We stock cubicle spares from several of the leading manufacturers.

With bedding prices likely to be expensive this year, consider mattresses to maximise cow and youngstock comfort.

Time spent getting your sheds in order will have big benefits come winter with more comfortable, healthier and better-performing livestock.

To arrange a visit or for more information, call Guy or Elliot on 01409 259600.