Why should rubber mats be installed in the milking shed?

Q: Why should rubber mats be installed in the milking shed?

Rubber mats in the milking shed can deliver many benefits for both the farmer and the cow. Milking times are reduced, cow flow increased, cows don’t slip and get hurt, cows go through the milking process better. How is this possible? The average gait length for a cow on concrete is 600mm but on grass and rubber, it is 800 mm. This more natural movement and increased step length will move cows through the system at a faster pace. Milk let down by cows is also improved through standing on a comfortable rubber surface versus hard, cold concrete, cows feel more relaxed. Cows also come forward to the parlour easier as cows will opt to stand on rubber near the parlour entrance as opposed to concrete in the collecting yard. All parlour designs usually require sharp turns by cows, typical herringbone parlours will have 90 degree turns, rotary platforms require a 180 degree turn etc. anywhere you ask a cow to turn it puts pressure on the claw, this is the main source of claw damage leading to digital dermatitis or white line lameness, the is caused because of the abrasive nature of concrete, whereas rubber provides a cushioned surface.

Question

Accepted Answer

Rubber mats in the milking shed can deliver many benefits for both the farmer and the cow. Milking times are reduced, cow flow increased, cows don’t slip and get hurt, cows go through the milking process better. How is this possible?

The average gait length for a cow on concrete is 600mm but on grass and rubber, it is 800 mm. This more natural movement and increased step length will move cows through the system at a faster pace.

Milk let down by cows is also improved through standing on a comfortable rubber surface versus hard, cold concrete, cows feel more relaxed.

Cows also come forward to the parlour easier as cows will opt to stand on rubber near the parlour entrance as opposed to concrete in the collecting yard.

All parlour designs usually require sharp turns by cows, typical herringbone parlours will have 90 degree turns, rotary platforms require a 180 degree turn etc. anywhere you ask a cow to turn it puts pressure on the claw, this is the main source of claw damage leading to digital dermatitis or white line lameness, the is caused because of the abrasive nature of concrete, whereas rubber provides a cushioned surface.