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 shocks to their limbs. The feeding platform is a piece of equipment for cattle buildings designed to avoid this type of inconvenience. This system allows the cows to be elevated in relation to the floor of the free-stall barn, thus being 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 looking for a solution to his slippery concrete that Christophe Favreau, a farmer in the Deux-Sèvres region, heard about the FEEDING STEP feeding alley, developed by Bioret, a specialist in livestock equipment. « I could see that the scraper's passage 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 removal of excrement. »
The feeding platform was therefore installed in February 2021, at the same time as Magellan mats. « It took a little time for the animals to adapt to the new equipment,» says the farmer. « 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. »
Feeding platform and Magellan, two products favorable to feed intake and dairy performance
It was also while inquiring about the equipment for the future free-stall barn on his farm that Hugo Lucas, a dairy farmer in Côtes d'Armor, discovered the feeding platform, as well as 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 bunk without any contact between them and the scraper. Even if a cow is blocked at the headlock, there is no risk to its legs. In addition, my dairy cows' feet are dry, which can only be beneficial to their health.»
