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 food intake, each animal must be able to access the trough without fear, stress, or discomfort.
In some buildings, the passage of the scraper not only disturbs the cows but can also cause shocks to the limbs. The feed alley is a piece of equipment for cattle buildings designed to avoid this type of inconvenience. This system allows the cows to be raised above the floor of the barn, thus being out of reach of the scraper.
Composed of modular composite blocks, this equipment does not require major structural work for installation. The blocks assemble quickly and are then covered with a flexible, non-slip Delta Diam mat, providing a high level of comfort for the animals and protecting their hooves. In addition to a 3% slope over 46 cm, this mat facilitates liquid drainage for guaranteed hygiene. The depth of the platform is also calculated to ensure that excrement falls into the alley.
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.
Longer ingestion time
It was while looking for a solution to his concrete floors that had become slippery that Christophe Favreau, a farmer in Deux-Sèvres, heard about the Feeding Step, developed by Bioret, a specialist in livestock equipment. « I could see that the passage of the scraper was disturbing my animals during feeding, the farmer admits. I thought it was a good idea that the cows could eat without being disturbed while maintaining the evacuation of waste. »
The feed platform was installed in February 2021, at the same time as the Magellan mats. The farmer said that the animals needed a little time to adapt to the new equipment, but now that they are used to the system, the cows seem calmer when they eat. It is difficult to quantify the benefit of the platform on milk production, but since its installation and that of the mats, we have reached an unprecedented level.
Feed platform and Magellan, two products that promote feed intake and dairy cow performance
Hugo Lucas, a dairy farmer in Côtes d’Armor, also learned about the feeding platform and the feed pusher robot while researching equipment for his future barn. The combination of the two products quickly proved its worth.
« There's always someone at the table, » the farmer jokes. « Nothing disturbs the cows when they eat their ration. Plus, thanks to the stall dividers, they don't lie down on the platform. »
In terms of hygiene, the farmer appreciates that the length of the platform is designed to remain clean. Droppings fall directly into the alley where they are taken care of by the vacuum robot. While it saves time on washing and cleaning, the farmer feels he has gained peace of mind above all.
« The cows spend more time at the trough without any contact between them and the scraper. Even if a cow is blocked at the headlock, there is no risk to her legs. In addition, my dairy cows' feet are dry, which can only be beneficial to their health. »
