With ground conditions starting to deteriorate, cattle are beginning to head indoors in the west and northwest and on heavier soils elsewhere. While many key tasks regarding ventilation or other larger works are too late to be completed, ticking the boxes on the issues below will lead to healthier, safer cattle and improved thrive throughout.

Lying space

For dairy farmers, the minimum amount of cubicle space is one cubicle/cow. Ideally, there should be an excess of cubicles as occupancy will never be at 100% due to some cows extending on to a second cubicle, some cubicles being at an exposed part of the shed etc.

Aim for 10-15% more cubicles than cows. Where cubicle spacing is tight, look at separating lighter cows or first calved heifers away from the main herd to prevent bullying.

In beef housing, ensure that the spacing set out in Table 1 is adhered to.

One of the main issues seen in lying space is not accounting for growth of cattle, particularly those on a finishing diet.

Where cattle are increasingly putting on weight, then the stocking rate of pens needs to be adjusted. Separating cattle according to weight works well, with forward cattle fed harder, and once slaughtered this pen can then be used as an overflow from other pens.

This will work fine for all stock types once caution is exercised, but when it comes to young bulls, then it is necessary to keep them in their groups and avoid mixing. This means penning bulls according to their projected sale weight.

Feeding space

Feed space is often a more limiting factor than lying space in pens, and again, it is often where we see bullying occur, with stronger, older cattle eating first and leaving the worst of the feed behind for weaker, lighter cattle. Table 1 contains the required feed space per animal according to size. As a general rule of thumb, each standard barrier length/bay of a shed will allow eight dairy, suckler or finishing animals to eat at the same time. In finishing sheds where there is feeding both sides of the pen, this means a maximum of 16 animals per bay.

For dairy buildings, a row of head-to-head cubicles will house eight cows per bay, which is ideal for feeding along one barrier. Two rows of head-to-head cubicles or a single row combined with a double row will mean feeding on two sides of the shed; usually along the length of the shed. Where there are more than two double rows of cubicles, then feeding should be available on all four sides of the shed.

Slats

Slats have a life expectancy of 15-20 years, though many farms can attest to them lasting over 30 years. The general recommendation is to replace after this 20-year mark, as degradation of slats is generally seen from underneath rather than the upper surface of slats. For hygiene and inspection purposes, slats should be washed before rehousing animals, with the upper surface inspected for cracks. Farmers are discouraged from entering in to empty slatted tanks, as pockets of gas can still exist within the tank itself. The safest way to complete an inspection of older slats is to ask a trusted slat supplier to inspect them for you if you feel they are close to replacing.

They will have the necessary equipment to inspect the slats in a safe manner and will advise on replacement.

The cost to replace slats will depend on specification and size, but should be completed for approximately €1,700/bay. In the grand scheme of things with current cattle prices, one broken leg or one finished animal lost in a tank would make replacing slats a value for money investment.

Rubber matting is also another area that can be looked at, with previous articles on here showing that the return on investment is high with finishing animals due to increased carcase weights.

At today’s current beef prices, slat rubber could pay for itself in as little as two years.

Services

Take a quick look at the services running in to the shed. Ensure that all lighting is working, clean the lenses of the lighting and where necessary replace blown bulbs.

When replacing older fluorescent lighting, install LED lighting for lower energy costs and higher levels of brightness.

At high traffic areas such as crushes or loading bays, ensure adequate street lighting is present.

Check that all socket outlets are working, and where repairs are necessary, ensure a qualified electrician is used.

With regard to water, ensure that ball cocks in troughs are set at the correct level. Tighten any loose fittings or replace where necessary.

Install protective bars around water troughs where necessary to prevent damage from cattle rubbing off them.