Kraiburg Livestock Blog

Nottingham

 The UK’s most prestigious dairy educational establishments now use Kraiburg’s rubber coverings in their dairy housing. As part of their drive to equip tomorrow’s farmers for the challenges of the 21st century, the top colleges are creating centres of excellence and best practice in dairy herd management. Kraiburg’s soft, comfortable lying and walking surfaces are proven to contribute to cow comfort while generating real gains in productivity.

The colleges involved include Bishops Burton, Cambridge University, Hadlow, Harper Adams, Hartpury, Nottingham University, Reading University, Reaseheath, The Royal Agricultural College, and the Welsh College. Installations are planned for early 2012 at Barony College in Scotland and The Royal Veterinary College.

Many of the centres are utilising Kraiburg Kura walkway coverings for feed passageways and loafing areas, while others have installed flooring in their milking parlours and collecting yards. Some have also invested in the Kitt SandSaver Bed, a brand new product that offers significant savings in sand replacement costs.

Kraiburg is proud to be associated with such a comprehensive list of top class establishments. These colleges are exceptionally well placed to monitor the gains in efficiency achieved through the introduction of rubber surfaces.

For more information on Kraiburg rubber coverings call our Sales Director Tim Hamilton on 07850 856 849 or contact our Head Office on 01278 727 755

"A lame cow produces less milk,has an increased calving interval,is twice as likely to be culled and takes time as well as money to sort out. With direct and indirect costs associated with the condition, an average lame cow can cost a herd over £300"

This quote is taken from the introduction to Foot Matters, a highly informative guide to the causes and prevention of lameness in the dairy herd produced by Lancashire based vets Lambert, Leonard and May.

With lots of clear photography, the guide sets out the principal causes and treatments for lameness.  It also outlines a practical step by step approach to a preventative, welfare based regime that encompasses housing, cubicle design, lying surfaces, mobility scoring, foot trimming and foot bathing.

As a leading exponent of cow welfare, Kraiburg is delighted to be involved with this thorough, well researched booklet and is offering farmers a free digital copy.  If you would like to take advantage of this offer, simply email me,  sales director Tim Hamilton at tim@kraiburg.co.uk.

Kraiburg UK Sales Director Tim Hamilton writes:

 Plenty has been written and debated about cow comfort in the cubicle house, with the emphasis on cubicle design, surfaces and bedding, ventilation etc.  But the brisket board design can also contribute, as Kraiburg's research has demonstrated.

If a dairy cow in cubicle housing lies too far forward in the cubicle, this can cause a hygiene issue in that soiling occurs too high up the cubicle surface. The solution is the ‘brisket board’ positioned at the top edge.

While often a necessary evil, rigid boards do not contribute to cow comfort. They inhibit freedom of movement and prevent the cow lying in a natural position. When the cow attempts to shift her position as she would naturally do on pasture, the board can cause rubbing of the skin around the joints. Constrained lying increases the risk of lying injuries and claw diseases.

Ergoboard is a flexible rubber brisket board that is an effective navigational aid in keeping the cow in the right position, yet encourages natural lying behaviour. Research shows that 20% of cows like to lie with a foreleg extended: Ergoboard’s deep grooved design, soft material and rounded upper edge make this easy. The cow can change position without difficulty, thus maintaining optimal blood circulation under the body and enhancing comfort.

The link between cow welfare and productivity is clearly established. Quick and easy to install, Ergoboard is a significant step forward in cow comfort and welfare.

Practical experience - brisket boards

This blog will contain news and updates about rubber flooring systems for dairy cubicles, walkways and milking parlours.