A cow spends 4 to 6 hours a day eating. The level of milk production depends on the ingestion of food. Knowing that a cow is sensitive to disturbances in its environment, to optimize feed intake, each animal must be able to access the feed bunk without fear, stress, or discomfort.
In some buildings, the passage of the scraper not only disturbs the cows but can also cause injuries to their limbs. The Feeding step a piece of equipment designed for cattle buildings to prevent this type of inconvenience. This system raises the cows above the floor of the barn, putting them out of reach of the scraper.
Made of modular composite blocks, this equipment does not require major construction work to be installed. The blocks assemble quickly. They are then covered with a flexible non-slip Delta Diam mat that provides a high level of comfort for the animals and protects their legs. This mat, in addition to a 3% slope over 46 cm, facilitates the evacuation of liquids for guaranteed hygiene. The depth of the platform is also calculated so that the droppings fall into the corridor.
Compatible with any type of cleaning system, it is maintained like a row of stalls. In terms of accessories, tubular dividers, bolted onto posts, are installed every two cows. They prevent jostling and prevent the animals from lying down.
A longer ingestion time
It was while searching for a solution to his slippery concrete floors that Christophe Favreau, a farmer in the Deux-Sèvres region, heard about Feeding step Feeding Step, developed by Bioret, a specialist in livestock equipment. " I could see that the scraper was disturbing my animals during feeding," admits the farmer. "I thought it was a good idea that the cows could eat without discomfort while still removing the manure. "
The Feeding step therefore installed in February 2021, at the same time as the Magellan mats. " It took the animals a little time to get used to the new equipment, " says the farmer. "But now that they are accustomed to the system, the cows seem calmer when they eat. It's difficult to quantify the benefit of the walkway on milk production, but since its installation and that of the mats, we have reached unprecedented levels."
Feeding step Magellan, two products that promote feed intake and improve dairy cow performance
It was also while researching equipment for his farm's future cattle shed that Hugo Lucas, a dairy farmer in the Côtes d'Armor region, discovered the Feeding step and the feed pusher robot. The combination of the two products quickly proved its worth.
« There is always someone at the table, » the farmer jokes. « Nothing disturbs the cows when they eat their ration. In addition, thanks to the stall dividers, they do not lie down on the platform. »
In terms of hygiene, the farmer appreciates that the length of the platform is designed to keep it clean. The droppings fall directly into the alley where they are taken care of by the vacuum robot. While it saves time in terms of washing and cleaning work, the farmer believes he has mainly gained peace of mind.
"The cows spend more time at the feed trough without any contact between them and the scraper. Even if a cow gets stuck in headlock, there is no risk to its legs. What's more, my dairy cows' feet stay dry, which can only be good for their health."