What about open yards? Key considerations
Cow comfort and rest are indispensable for an optimized production. There are different accommodation systems, and one of the most popular are the open yards. In this article, we will explore the advantages and key considerations of using open yards in cow farming to ensure both cow welfare and productivity.
What are the pros and cons of the open yards?
This bedding system is very popular, and has benefits but also drawbacks:
- It offers the cows the possibility to lie down freely wherever they want, and its comfort is excellent.
- On the other hand, it is more difficult to maintain the same hygiene standards as when we work with cubicles.
In this system, we must focus our efforts on cleanliness
Key considerations
- Space: we have to offer to the cows enough space so they can move freely and find enough surface to rest.
The recommended density is in between 12 and 14 m2/cow.
- Ventilation: a crucial element on this kind of facilities. The bedding material, when composting, will create heat and gases that can make a difficult environment. Good ventilation, either natural and/or forced, will be essential to release this heat
- Depth and softness: It is recommended to work with minimum bed thicknesses of 30 to 40 cm. First of all, to give the best comfort to the animals and also to be deep enough to work on it with the machinery. The bedding must be soft enough to be comfortable for the cows, but not too soft, as it would make it difficult for them to walk.
- Cleaning: different practises are needed, depending on the bedding material.
In case we use straw, add clean material once a day and clean everything every 2-3 weeks. In addition, we can add calcium carbonate and hydrated lime to increase dryness and pH of the bed. The application must be daily and at a rate of 0.8-1.0 kg/m2 per day.
Cleaning and maintenance of bedding is crucial to avoid the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and S. uberis.
If we work with a base of sawdust, we will have to till or scrape the bed at least twice a day and do it at 30-40 cm deep. Depending on the density of the animals and the bedding humidity, we will have to add new material.
Some farms change the entire bedding material when the bed volume is high, but it is recommended taking out just the half of the bedding, spread the rest of the material on the surface and continue adding new material on the top.
Conclusions
Open yards offer significant advantages in terms of cow comfort and freedom of movement, but they also present challenges, particularly in maintaining hygiene.
When focusing on key factors as density, ventilation and cleaning practices, farmers can optimize the benefits of this system.
Prioritizing these considerations will not only enhance cow well-being but also contribute to overall production efficiency.
Article written by Oriol Franquesa, DVM, Qllet slp.
