So there’s no time like the present to start thinking about any improvements you can make when purchasing bedding for the upcoming season.
Here are our top factors to consider when choosing bedding for your dairy cattle:
Cubicle Type
Different cubicle flooring requires different bedding. Since mats or mattresses are designed to provide a comfortable bed- minimal bedding is required for absorbing muck and milk- and to maintain a dry cubicle. Products such as a superfine, talc- like sawdust are ideal for mats, since a little goes a long way.
Concrete or earth beds will require a deeper, more cushioned bedding material – to encourage optimum cubicle occupancy. For a deep bed, a blend of sawdust for absorbency and shavings to provide cushioning make an excellent choice.
Dryness
If preventing bacterial growth – and therefore managing somatic cell counts- is top of your agenda, starting with a dry bed is essential. Look for a bedding that contains zero moisture- and clean cubicles and replenish regularly to maintain a clean environment where the udder touches the cubicle.
Comfort
Minimise hock damage- and avoid nasty abrasions with soft bedding which won’t irritate over many hours. If in doubt, try the knee or elbow test- by testing the product on the cubicle and kneeling- or rubbing a little on your elbow. Feel abrasive? It’s not the one…
Disposal
Different muck-disposal systems will require a different consistency of bedding for spreading. Needing to keep your waste as solids? Try a coarser product, designed to be used as a deep bedding, like our MixBed.
However, if you’re looking to maintain a thin slurry consistency for pumping or spreading further – look for a finer product that’ll suspend well – to prevent any blockages in slurry channels or settling in the lagoon.
Supply
Find a product which is readily available throughout the housing season, and be prepared by stocking up early, ahead of the season so you don’t find yourself caught short mid-winter when lead-times are typically longer.
How to choose
Our knowledgeable team can help you consider your requirements, and can recommend the most economic and effective product for your system.
Why not get in touch on livechat, via email or social media – or a good old phone call, and we’ll make some suggestions in good time for the upcoming season!
