Envirobed

[dgjeynes]

So as time is getting nearer and our new cubicle shed is going to be in use this winter we’re looking at options for bedding. We’re putting in teemore mattresses and are considering envirobed but would appreciate some feedback on anybody doing so. Also a rough idea how much it costs per day per cubicle.

 

[Barleycorn]

We found envirobed settled in the slurry pit, changed to ground straw, a lot better and cheaper.

 

[dgjeynes]

That’s very useful to know. We’re currently on sand in our old shed and although great for the cow it is hateful stuff to deal with. Our first choice was sawdust then milled straw but straw can be hard come by for us. I presume you have a contractor in to mill your straw or do you buy it bulk?

 

[Scholsey]

We found envirobed settled in the slurry pit, changed to ground straw, a lot better and cheaper.

have tried a load of sawdust after using envirobed copy for year or so and look to have far more cows lying down despite already having water beds. Settling was a massive issue with the paper waste aswell.

 

[Slurry Solutions]

Have you considered RMS (Green Bedding) it's very comparable to sand from a cow comfort point of view without the mechanical/sustainability issues of sand

 

[lazy farmer]

Used it or it’s cozy bed equivalent for 7-8 yrs now. Very happy with it. Goes through our separator no issues. For 280 cubicles a 20 ton load will do a month. My cows are mainly dry through that period though.
current cell count 160 and we have a 6% mastitis rate

 

[Rob91]

We use it, it's good stuff,keeps the beds dry and SCC down, but very dusty. I wear a mask when chucking it out every day. The stuff with sawdust in isn't as good we found.

 

[coomoo]

We use it, it's good stuff,keeps the beds dry and SCC down, but very dusty. I wear a mask when chucking it out every day. The stuff with sawdust in isn't as good we found.

How does it keep the scc down?

 

[Rob91]

How does it keep the scc down?

the beds being drier probably inhibits the bacteria from spreading out as much

 

[lazy farmer]

the beds being drier probably inhibits the bacteria from spreading out as much

It’s got lime in it.

 

[EnviroSystems]

It’s got lime in it.

Hi Lazy farmer, EnviroBed doesn't have lime included it, as it comes from paper it has a natural pH of 7.4 which farmers find helpful as it's more gentle on the udders, so there is improved skin comfort because extra lime doesn't need to be added. Hope that helps! Thanks, Sally at Envirosystems

 

[EnviroSystems]

the beds being drier probably inhibits the bacteria from spreading out as much

That's spot on Rob!

 

[EnviroSystems]

We use it, it's good stuff,keeps the beds dry and SCC down, but very dusty. I wear a mask when chucking it out every day. The stuff with sawdust in isn't as good we found.

Glad you like the New Envirobed, due to new and better supply/ quality of crumb this winter it is better than its ever been in the past. As its now fluffier it should reduce settling issues in the slurry systems too... sorry to hear you guys found this @Barleycorn and @Scholsey. There's a review from a farmer here who finds EnviroBed goes through the nozzles of dribble bar a lot easier than when he used to use chopped straw https://envirosystems.co.uk/paul-cashmore-envirobed-testimonial/ not sure if that is relevant to the way you spread @dgjeynes but worth considering when making your choice Thanks, Sally

 

[Scholsey]

Glad you like the New Envirobed, due to new and better supply/ quality of crumb this winter it is better than its ever been in the past. As its now fluffier it should reduce settling issues in the slurry systems too... sorry to hear you guys found this @Barleycorn and @Scholsey. There's a review from a farmer here who finds EnviroBed goes through the nozzles of dribble bar a lot easier than when he used to use chopped straw https://envirosystems.co.uk/paul-cashmore-envirobed-testimonial/ not sure if that is relevant to the way you spread @dgjeynes but worth considering when making your choice Thanks, Sally

To be fair @EnviroSystems it wasnt your product we had problems with settling in the lagoon, we changed to someone else's as theirs was less dusty but as a consequence had a whole new raft of issues which we are trying to sort now but certainly wont be having anymore from them.

 

[EnviroSystems]

To be fair @EnviroSystems it wasnt your product we had problems with settling in the lagoon, we changed to someone else's as theirs was less dusty but as a consequence had a whole new raft of issues which we are trying to sort now but certainly wont be having anymore from them.

Thanks @Scholsey just noticed you said it was an 'EnviroBed copy' - sorry to hear you've experienced that though and are still sorting! There are different qualities of paper raw material out there and it is sometimes dried in very high heat... We use renewable heat which takes longer but makes it more fluffy and higher volume/lorry load, it's also much less dusty now -we've been working really hard on that this year... but it's always worth asking these questions just to check!

 

[EnviroSystems]

How does it keep the scc down?

Hi @coomoo EnviroBed is dried to 95% DM and it's high absorbency wicks up any moisture straight away, it also has a neutral pH of 7.4 for improved comfort of the udders. Hope that helps! You can always find out more about the bedding here... https://bit.ly/EnviroBedNew