Calve matts

[supercow]

Has anyone ever considered these? Straw is a constant monthly cost can never really get away from it, surely these would get away that? Not sure how it would work, wash is daily? Or every second day? Bedding them anyway so it would be any more time? Haven’t thought hard about this just seen it now!!

 

[bigw]

I would say that calf cubicles would be more preferable as you might just encourage them to lie in the muck.

 

[lazy farmer]

Hmmmmm

 

[Bald Rick]

Has anyone ever considered these? Straw is a constant monthly cost can never really get away from it, surely these would get away that? Not sure how it would work, wash is daily? Or every second day? Bedding them anyway so it would be any more time? Haven’t thought hard about this just seen it now!!

Yes we looked in to it precisely because straw at that time was £120/t plus on to the yard.
IIRC, they were not cheap to the extent that we didn't take it any further but I did like the idea although the slats would have to be lifted slightly to allow urine to flow away.
Guess they are the same as sheep slats but doubt there is any difference in price

 

[supercow]

I think it would improve air quality as we muck the calves out every 3/4 months and when the muck builds up the quantity of air reduces. If we installed them would it be an idea to set up a volume wash pump and wash the matts on a weekly basis? Or every 3 days? @Bald Rick when you investigated into them did you find out if they are padded? Price of straw may Ben affordable now it’s a cost every year and no matter how much it is it’s a cost that would be well reduced if these things work! How much a square meter are they does anyone know?

 

[bigw]

Do you grow any barley or wheat @supercow

 

[Farmer Keith]

Don’t forget there’s some nutritional value in the straw you spread back onto your land when you’ve used it for bedding, not sure what that is worth but you can’t beat ploughing plenty of muck back into your soils.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Quick calculation gives me a rough bedding cost of straw £12/calf p.a.
Call it a 6 month housing, so £2/calf/month.

Rulz both legislated and assurance mandated say a daily bedded lying area must be available anyhoo. So say your potential saving is 50% of straw usage or £1/calf/month.
Take into account the difference in visual contentment ( real or imaginary) and I think there are many other areas of cost that could be higher up the list for questioning.

 

[lazy farmer]

Don’t forget there’s some nutritional value in the straw you spread back onto your land when you’ve used it for bedding, not sure what that is worth but you can’t beat ploughing plenty of muck back into your soils.

plus water is not free to use or dispose of.

 

[som farmer]

not sure I would want to keep calves in the pen shown, we farm roadside, they wouldn't look the best to the unknowledgeable public, cubicles would be better.

 

[supercow]

I agree maybe not the best idea! Since being out of the parlour I’ve looked at many ways to reduce costs, maybe straw is an unavoidable cost. It would be interesting to see if the matts worked tho!

 

[som farmer]

I agree maybe not the best idea! Since being out of the parlour I’ve looked at many ways to reduce costs, maybe straw is an unavoidable cost. It would be interesting to see if the matts worked tho!

had another look, they don't look right, in the pens.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Surly calves need warmth and comfort? Look like they would be a disaster to me.

 

[yin ewe]

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@supercow
Straw bedding concrete slats, cut down on straw usage but able to drive on them for cleaning out?

 

[Cows 'n grass]

The answer to this surely ties in nicely with your surplus silage "problem"

Plant 40/50ac of WW or WB a year, get it combined and maxammon treat the grain. In rotation with medium term leys you'd grow the cereal with a whack of slurry and a sniff of fert and it would be off in time for a late summer re seed.

This reduces purchased blend and solves your silage issue while providing home grown bedding.

 

[supercow]

The answer to this surely ties in nicely with your surplus silage "problem"

Plant 40/50ac of WW or WB a year, get it combined and maxammon treat the grain. In rotation with medium term leys you'd grow the cereal with a whack of slurry and a sniff of fert and it would be off in time for a late summer re seed.

This reduces purchased blend and solves your silage issue while providing home grown bedding.

Good advice. We actually have a silage field on the list to plough after second cut. Would you plant winter barley-harvest next July and fire grass back in next year? Turned twice, we were going to plough it and straight into grass but better if turned twice Dad always says. Il suggest it at our daily breakfast meeting tomoro ??