Frequently asked questions (and answers....)
Here you find the answers to many of the the questions we get. Chooise a topic on the left.
Bedding material
Frequently asked questions about bedding materials. Is your question not listed? Please feel free to contact us!
What is the best bedding for cows?
Sand is the best bedding for cows.
Sand is one of the most popular choices for cow bedding. Sand has many benefits for the comfort of the cow. It easily conforms to the size and shape of the cow, which provides comfort. Therefore the cows spend more time lying down in the stable or boxes. Sand provides more grip on the stable floor, which reduces and prevents injuries. Also sand is non organic and for this reason it doesn't support bacterial growth.
However, sand causes wear when it ends up in the machines. It also takes extra time to fill and manages the stables. When there is no sand separation system installed, the manure storage needs to be emptied regularly. And yet, sand is been used over 30 years and becoming increasingly populair. This is due to the advantages of the innovative systems. A sand separation system makes sure that the sand is separated from the manure. The sand can be reused within a few weeks and the manure is ready to be processed in a biogas digester or nitrogen stripper. Because of the sand recovery the sand doesn't end up in the machines and can't cause any trouble.
The sand separation system can be build in on a exciting location. By reusing pumps and existing wells, a large part of the installation and construction costs can be saved. Due to the great savings of reusing the sand, a sand recovery system pays for itself in 4 till 5 years.
What are the benefits of sand bedding?
There are several advantages of the use of sand in the cubicles. We have listed them for you:
- Sand provides more grip, which reduces leg problems for cows
- Sand is comfortable, so cows lie down longer and this relieves the claws
- Sand is hygienic, which means fewer infections. And therefore healthier for the cows
- In addition the hygiene also reduces udder infections
- Sand has a cooling effect, the cows lie down longer in warm weather
- Sand provides more grip
Cows like to rest and lie in the sand. Sand is comfortable and easily molds to the contours of the cow. As a result that the cows lie more in the natural position, as they would in the fields. Because of the comfort, the cow rest better, which is positive for the milk production. In addition sand is not slippery, the animals can stand up more easily, without the risk of slipping or falling down. The cow cubicles are cooler in the summer due to the cooling effect of sand.