A cow mattress is a bedding system used in dairy farming to provide comfortable and clean resting surfaces for cows.
The price of a cow mattress depends on several factors such as its type, size, quality and where you purchase it.
Moreover, the cost of a cow rubber mattress today ranges from Kes 3000 to Kes 3500 which is more costly than the old school bedding options.
However, modern farmers are opting for the mattress due to the major benefits acquired from it.
Benefits of Cow Mattress
Polytag, a cow mats manufacturer, states that the benefits of using cow mattresses are directly proportional to the cow’s productivity and profitability.
Subsequently, comfortable cow farms have been found to be beneficial to both the animals and the farmer. Cow mattresses ensure that the cows are comfortable thereby increasing the profits.
Cow mattresses are important in dairy farming. They are designed to eliminate all sorts of fatigue ensuring that the cow is comfortable and in good shape. Here are other benefits of the cow mattress.
Improves Cow Safety
Slipping is the main hazard associated with concrete surfaces, as such, installing cow mattresses reduces slipping considerably.
Further, slipping incidences may lead to a cow becoming lame due to the falls and the injuries suffered after a slip.
However, with a cow mattress, such incidences are avoided. The presence of mattress provides the advantage of a reduced number of cows lost to lameness.
Improves Cow and Milk Hygiene
Cow barn hygiene is directly proportional to the overall cow and milk hygiene.
Keeping cows clean can be a challenge if the barn or cow shed is not clean, in addition, maintaining top of the range hygiene can also be difficult in the average barn.
As such, cow mattresses are a helpful solution to keeping cows and the milk produced clean and hygienic.
Moreover, the new Kenya Co-operative Creameries limited (KCC) core business is to procure high quality raw milk from farmers, which is then processed, packaged, and marketed as milk and milk products.
Also Read: Kindiki Sounds Warning After Slaughter of Kawira Mwangaza’s Cow
The mats are easy to clean and maintain as farmers can effortlessly flush the dirt off with ease.
Further, it is important to ensure that the mats are clean and disinfected.
Farmers may also need to use antibacterial and antifungal products in bacteria prone areas.
Also, milking parlors and sleeping sections should be given special attention because they are the areas where mastitis bacteria reside.
Facilitates Easy Cow Heat Detection
Many farmers struggle with dairy cow heat detection.
Some will go for months without noting any signs, hence causing adverse effects on the herd growth.
However, for a dairy herd to be sustainable, it needs to have young and healthy heifers. This will only be possible if the cows are going on heat at the right time and insemination done without delays.
Accurate heat detection is particularly important for any dairyman. Cow matreses help the cow feel comfortable and secure all the time.
Comfort reduces stress levels thus contributing to them showing strong heat signs.
Improves Heat Retention
Heat retention is a major element in dairy cow management. It is every farmer’s duty to ensure that his herd is warm throughout the year.
Most farmers have noted that concrete surfaces can be a little cold and uncomfortable during the cold seasons. They have resolved to use cow mattresses as it makes it easy to regulate cow shed warmth all year round.
Furthermore, these mats have the advantage of retaining heat emitted from the cow therefore allowing the cows to feel warm and comfortable all year round.
Reduces Dairy Cow Health Risks
A cow’s production is directly proportional to her health. Healthy cows will always produce more milk than unhealthy cows.
Most of the diseases suffered by dairy cows have a close relationship with the environment.
Unhygienic cow barns contribute to the advent, distribution diseases because disease causing pathogens, such as mastitis bacteria, thrive in dirty environments.
This explains why farmers whose barns are unkempt have a hard time controlling mastitis.
Also Read: 10 Arrested Over Slaughter of Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s Cow
Farmers who use the cow mattresses enjoy the benefit of reduced health risks in their farm. Notably, having the cow mats in place goes a long way in controlling health risks that may already be present in the farm.
Using cow mattresses also saves the costs associated with treatment of such diseases.
Additionally, research has shown that increased sleeping and resting hours increases a cow’s production.
In an era where a farm’s productivity is no longer pegged on milk prices but a cow’s productivity, it is important to understand the benefits you stand to enjoy by improving a cow’s comfort and the overall cow welfare.
