The quality of bedding is essential for a cow, for its well-being and milk production. When she is lying down, mammary blood flow increases by 25 to 50%. To give your animals every chance of producing well, you must therefore provide them with sufficient lying spaces, adapted to the largest sizes of the herd, whatever their favorite lying position, comfortable and hygienic elements.
It is with this in mind that Bioret, a specialist in livestock equipment, developed the Aquastar mattress to enhance a stall. A 70 mm water pouch rests on a 35 mm thick latex underlay, so that each cow can find its lying position, regardless of its morphology, while benefiting from homogeneous pressure over its entire body.
The cow's blood circulation is thus improved, which is favorable to its milk production. Independent studies have shown that thanks to Aquastar mattresses, compared to conventional bedding, the animals' lying cycles were longer, thus increasing production by 1 to 3.5 liters of milk per day.
Also for comfort, the peach skin finish of the mattress surface protects the legs of cattle from abrasion by reducing friction.
The refreshing solution in case of high temperatures
As the water pocket creates a slope towards the rear, the natural flow of liquids is promoted. Cleaning the surface of the mattress is therefore facilitated and a daily addition of 300 g of chopped straw is sufficient to keep the stall clean.
Cows housed in a healthy environment, avoiding injuries, but also heatstroke. Indeed, the water pouch also ensures a thermal exchange which reduces the heat stress of the animals in summer. « There are no more cows lying in the aisle even when it's hot », confirms David Forget, a breeder in Loire-Atlantique, whose stall building has been equipped with Aquastar mattresses for a few years.
It is this objective, to provide the cows in his herd with the best lying comfort, which prompted Hugo Lucas, a breeder in Côtes d'Armor, to install Aquastar water mattresses in the stalls during the construction of a new barn in 2020. « The cows seem to appreciate it », says the young breeder, who cites the absence of pressure sores since the stalls have been equipped with Aquastar mattresses as proof.
« If you invest in their well-being and comfort, the cows pay you back, emphasizes Hugo Lucas. Without changing their diet, we gained 2 to 3 kilos of milk per cow by putting them in good conditions in our new building. » Cows in great shape and productive, this is proof that the farmer made the right choices in terms of bedding by focusing on their lying comfort.
