Converting Mats to Sand beds

[rdr123]

Has anyone converted mats to sand beds using angle iron at the back of the beds to keep the sand in? If so what size angle did you use and what type of bolts to secure it?

And most importantly was it a success?

Thanks

 

[Beef farmer]

Has anyone converted mats to sand beds using angle iron at the back of the beds to keep the sand in? If so what size angle did you use and what type of bolts to secure it?

And most importantly was it a success?

Thanks

Angle iron? Wowzers....hello foul.
Maybe some wood? Half round stakes?

 

[cowcrazy]

Angle iron? Wowzers....hello foul.
Maybe some wood? Half round stakes?

We did some with wood as you suggest with half round rails and it lasted 5 minutes its not robust enough

 

[frederick]

4 by 3 fine for last 5 years only replaced one length on 250 beds and that was scraper not cows

 

[cowcrazy]

4 by 3 fine for last 5 years only replaced one length on 250 beds and that was scraper not cows

How much sand per cow per year do you use?

 

[frederick]

11-12 kg a day @Beef farmer is a lot tighter.

 

[Cowman31]

Changing mats to sand?....madness

 

[Cowman31]

Sand for cows is the devil, terrible on cows feet, hocks etc and only causes endless amounts of teat end damage plus Moisture in a sand bed is 10 fold compared to a mattress.

 

[frederick]

Sand for cows is the devil, terrible on cows feet, hocks etc and only causes endless amounts of teat end damage plus Moisture in a sand bed is 10 fold compared to a mattress.

Have you ever experienced sand.
Feet it's brilliant because of the grip it gives.
Hocks the sand must be to shallow it's the softest bed to drop on. sand on sand is not abrasive.
Teat end damage how can sand damage teats lime on beds would be far worse.
Moisture what difference does it make the moisture is inert. On a mat the little bit of moisture is in an environment that bugs can multiply.
Sand is heaven for cows it's for everything else handling wise it's the devil but the benefits far outweigh the costs.

My only problem with sand is it's long term sustainability.

 

[Cowman31]

Yup, experience it every day and see endless problems...Sand on sand not abrasive?, you must be using that Sand you can get from B&Q to fill up a kids sand pit. What are you meaning by the moisture being inert?, I don’t think that word has been used in the right context here

 

[frederick]

Yup, experience it every day and see endless problems...Sand on sand not abrasive?, you must be using that Sand you can get from B&Q to fill up a kids sand pit. What are you meaning by the moisture being inert?, I don’t think that word has been used in the right context here

Moisture inert. It may be moist but there is no bacterial growth. But you are technically correct because inert means chemically inactive and I was meaning bacteriologically inactive.

 

[Cowman31]

You will find bacteria in all forms of moisture as it needs moisture to grow so how can it be bacteria logically inactive....all mastitis cases start from moisture!!

 

[frederick]

My cubicle management is shocking. We kick cow pats off when we get cows up and top up 3 times a week. No raking or anything else.

Housed 2.5 months 280 fresh cows 4 cases mastitis so far.
No visible abrasions on cows at all.
Lameness no 3s 8 2s roms scored

 

[Cowman31]

Are you doing your own mobility scoring?

 

[frederick]

You will find bacteria in all forms of moisture as it needs moisture to grow so how can it be bacteria logically inactive....all mastitis cases start from moisture!!

If you poured 500mls milk on a sand bed and 500 ml on whatever bedding you use on a mat. The mat bed growth would be significant. The growth on the sand would be minimal if at all.

 

[frederick]

Are you doing your own mobility scoring?

No independent roms quarterly for arla 360.

 

[Cowman31]

If you poured 500mls milk on a sand bed and 500 ml on whatever bedding you use on a mat. The mat bed growth would be significant. The growth on the sand would be minimal if at all.

Have you tried this for yourself?

 

[frederick]

Yes my milking interval is 9.5 14.5. I have a large amount of milk leakage in beds in the morning. We do nothing about it at all and just leave it there.

We must be doing something very different to have such different experience. The only thing I do know is my sand beds are shallow about 3 inches this means all sand is moved by cows. I have heard of deep beds where the sand at the back of the bed just goes black and needs digging out. But that black is not the sand it is the organic matter that is mixed into the sand by cows

 

[Cowman31]

I would imagine some form of bacteria build up on the beds where the milk pools and yes you are correct about the sand turning black. Anyways good discussion, I’m going for a dump now so I wish you well and keep you the good work

 

[pappuller]

I would imagine some form of bacteria build up on the beds where the milk pools and yes you are correct about the sand turning black. Anyways good discussion, I’m going for a dump now so I wish you well and keep you the good work [emoji106]

You not planning on coming back ?