Yep, Dairy Cows Really Love Water Beds

Water beds for cows have been around for a few years now.

When dairy cow water beds first appeared in the late 1990s, it was understood that it’s important for a cow to lie down, but mostly, cow beds were simply regular designed-for-human mattresses or often just sand and straw. The water beds have become a mild success, but do they actually work?

Cows, contrary to popular belief, don’t stand up for their entire lives. And dairy cows, which tend to be very heavy and often sedentary, really shouldn’t be standing up for longer than necessary; their weight puts a lot of strain on underdeveloped joints and muscles. (One solution to this, obviously, is to give dairy cows time and space to graze, but one battle at a time.)

Starting in the early 2000s, one design of water bed became dominant for dairy cows: a two-chambered mattress, with the second chamber specifically located to give extra support to a cow’s knees, which are sort of a weak point.

Aside from comfort, maximizing the time a cow is lying down is vital for milk production. Studies show that resting time is directly correlated with milk production; the more time spent lying down, the more milk the cow produces. While lying down, cows aren’t sleeping; they’re chewing cud and storing energy. According to studies, blood flow increases by 20 to 30 percent in the udders while the cow is resting, compared with standing.

Over at the University of Missouri’s Foremost Dairy Research Center, a team of veterinarians and researchers timed how long it takes a cow to lie down on the dual-chambered water beds versus a more common mattress. Cows like to rest, but the prospect of lowering a sedentary 1,500-pound body to the ground isn’t an easy one, so it can take them a while. What the Missouri team found is that the time taken by a cow to lie down reduced dramatically when the cow was presented with a water bed, instead of a regular mattress—from 8.5 minutes down to less than five. That may not sound like a big deal, but it indicates that these water beds provide substantially more appeal for the cows than other mattresses—and a happy cow is a productive cow.

FROM: https://modernfarmer.com/2019/03/yep-dairy-cows-really-love-water-beds/

Cow Water Beds Make For Sweet Dreams And More Milk→

Source: Scott Poock, 573-882-6359; Stacey Hamilton, 417-466-2148

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Water beds for cows improve comfort and milk production at the University of Missouri’s Foremost Dairy Research Center near Columbia.

MU Extension veterinarian Scott Poock and dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton are part of the Foremost team that researches how the beds improve herds. They monitor cows on cameras and record data about resting times and milk production.

Foremost began using the new beds in fall 2018. Cows adapted quickly, Hamilton says, with an estimated 75 percent of the herd using the beds by the second day.

The amount of rest a cow receives affects the quantity of milk she produces. In freestyle barn operations, dairy operators want cows to lie down 12-14 hours per day to prevent lameness and increase milk production. With the water beds, cows stay longer in stalls and lie down sooner, Poock says. Before the water beds, cows lay down an average of 8.5 minutes after entering a stall. They now lie down within five minutes.

The dual-chamber beds offer extra support for the cow’s knees. Once the cow kneels, the pillows offer a cushion for pressure points with gentle support. Strong joints provide better stability and prevent leg and foot injuries, sores and infections that can reduce mobility.

It is “all about cow comfort” and profit for the herd owner, says Hamilton. “Comfortable cows are happier and make more milk.”

Foremost staff put wood chips in the stalls to cover the water beds and catch waste. If Foremost used sand, it would take 50 pounds of sand per day per 160 stalls. The water beds are an easier option, Hamilton says.

The bovine beds cost about a third more than beds previously used at Foremost. Those beds, made of interlocking chopped rubber pieces, deteriorated with time and use.

Many dairy farms still use sand, straw, wood shavings or grass to keep stalls dry and comfortable for cows. Foremost Dairy is among a growing number of dairy farms using the new technology.

Last year, the BBC reported that cows at Queen Elizabeth II’s farm at Windsor Castle enjoy the luxury of water beds. Queen Elizabeth also pampers her cattle with green pastures and automatic brushes that remove dirt and relieve stress. The queen’s dairy uses robotics to milk cows and clean barn floors.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Foremost cows receive the royal treatment too.

Learn more about the Foremost Dairy Research Center at ForemostDairy.missouri.edu.

FROM: http://www.mycaldwellcounty.com/farm-agriculture/cow-water-beds-make-sweet-dreams-and-more-milk

DCC WATERBEDS Joins Feeding America to Bring Milk to Children in Need

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

ADVANCED COMFORT TECHNOLOGY (DCC WATERBEDS) JOINS

FEEDING AMERICA TO BRING MILK TO CHILDREN IN NEED

Madison, WI, October 1, 2018 – Childhood should be filled with playing, learning and growing. But for many children who face hunger, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients that help power childhood activities – are missing.

Each year, more than 46 million Americans – including 12 million children – are served by Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. According to Feeding America, milk is one of the most requested, but least donated items at food banks, meaning children in need across the country are missing out on the essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, it supplies. On average, food banks are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year. That’s because while Americans are generous with canned and dry goods, many don’t think to donate milk because it’s perishable.

Advanced Comfort Technology (DCC Waterbeds) is launching its promotion – Give the Gift of Dairy – joining to support The Great American Milk Drive.Kicking things off at this year’s World Dairy Expo (Madison, WI), from October 1st through December 31st, 2018, for each DCC Waterbed sold in North America, Advanced Comfort Technology, working alongside Feeding America, will donate a gallon of nutrient-rich wholesome milk to charitable food organizations.

“We are dedicated to promoting the dairy industry, and the women and men that produce our many dairy products,” said Amy Throndsen, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “When you pick up a gallon of milk at your local store, remember the hard-working dairy families that provided it to you, and consider giving the gift of dairy to a local family in need, too.”

The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to children in need, has delivered more than 1.8 million gallons – that’s over 28 million servings – of milk to-date to Feeding America.

 Hunger has no boundaries and is a problem that exists in urban, suburban and rural communities. The gift of nutrient-rich milk can help feed a childhood and help kids in need realize their potential with full and well-nourished tummies.

Map the Meal Gap shows how hunger impacts every county in the country. With its network of 200 food banks and more than 60,000 food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters throughout the country, Feeding America helps provide food to children in need.

It’s been a challenge for Feeding America to meet the demand for milk due to the lack of donations, but now it’s easier for others to lend a hand and contribute nutritious milk to local food insecure families.

America’s milk brands and dairy farmers are committed to fighting hunger in our communities through this partnership with Feeding America. Together, the dairy community has set a goal of providing 50 million servings of milk, and its essential nutrients, to kids and families in need by 2020.

Nourishing Our Nation – The Need Is Greater Than Ever

Many Americans are pressured financially due to a convergence of economic stresses – which means more people are turning to their local food bank for help. Increasingly, food banks have introduced nutrition criteria for the meals served to clients. More than two-thirds of the groceries distributed by the Feeding America network meet Feeding America’s “Foods To Encourage” guideline, based on the USDA’s MyPlate, which includes a serving of dairy, such as milk.

A network survey of Feeding America food banks revealed that 94 percent of respondents are actively working on improving the nutritional quality of meals provided to food bank clients. Yet, 95 percent of those surveyed say they do not receive enough milk to meet the demand. The number one reason cited is inadequate milk donations.

Milk tops the list of the food items most requested by food bank participants (85 percent), followed by fresh fruits (77 percent) and fresh vegetables (74 percent). While several recent initiatives have focused on getting more produce into feeding programs, The Great American Milk Drive is the first program to help resolve the milk shortage. 

Milk is the top food source of three of the nutrients most likely to be missing in the American diet – calcium, vitamin D and potassium. That’s why we are focused on providing nutrient-rich milk to hungry families to help power the play, learning and growth of children in our communities.

Feeding America thanks those who join The Great American Milk Drive to help feed a childhood for a kid in need in their own community. If you want to individually give to this cause, you can make a donation at milklife.com/give . Your donation will deliver milk to the Feeding America food bank that serves your community when you enter your zip code. 

About Advanced Comfort Technology (DCC Waterbeds)

For nearly 20 years, owners Dean, Audrey, and Amy Throndsen have been telling the “waterbeds for cows” story to dairy farmers around the world. DCC Waterbeds are distributed and installed in dairy barns across the United States, Canada and in over 25 additional countries. Dean has been involved in the agriculture industry since 1975, and he designed and patented the Dual Chambered Cow Waterbeds in the early 2000s. The dual-chamber design revolutionized industry perception of the traditional single-bladder waterbed. Today, Dean, Audrey, and Amy, alongside ACT’s dedicated team, market DCC Waterbeds worldwide, offering consistent comfort, one cow at a time. Learn more at www.dccwaterbeds.com , or find us on Facebook .

About Feeding America

Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About MilkPEP

MilkPEP, Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk companies, who are committed to educating consumers about the many nutritious benefits of milk and ensuring all children have access to fresh, wholesome milk. The MilkPEP Board runs marketing programs, including Milk Life, a multi-faceted campaign highlighting the important role milk plays in helping families reach their full potential, Milk It! a campaign for kids built around their love of milk, and Built with Chocolate Milk, which inspires athletes to perform at their best and recover with low-fat chocolate milk. For more information, go to milklife.com and builtwithchocolatemilk.com.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers and funded by the national dairy checkoff program, has been committed to research-based nutrition education and communications since its start in 1915. NDC is dedicated to bringing to life the dairy community's shared vision of a healthy, happy, sustainable world – with science as its foundation. NDC's staff of registered dietitians, researchers and nutrition experts educate on dairy's contributions to healthy eating plans and

sustainable food systems, including the farm-to-table connection. NDC has helped launch programs to benefit the health and wellness of children and adults, including Fuel Up to Play 60, which encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity each day. NDC also helped launch the Future of Food Partnership and The Great American Milk Drive, which both address food insecurity in America. For more information, visit NationalDairyCouncil.org andDairyGood.org and follow NDC on Facebook and Twitter (@NtlDairyCouncil).

Tips for transitioning cows to new stalls [PROGRESSIVE DAIRY article]

PUBLISHED BY PROGRESSIVE PUBLISHING

August 28, 2017

[Article link here.]

You’ve done your research, and you are ready to make a change in your stalls. Maybe you’re changing from one mattress to another. Sand bedding to manure solids. Or maybe you’re switching from a deep bedding to dual waterbeds.

You’ve visited other farms. You’ve budgeted, planned your project and circled the day on the calendar. You are ready.

Another important question that is often overlooked is: How can you help your cows as they transition to new stalls?

Check your stall measurements

The week before the change, watch how your cows get up with the current bedding. Where is the level of the current bedding? Where will the new bed surface be? Do the cows hit the neck rail when they get up? Can they stand in the stall with all four feet in the stall? Where do the cows lunge? Will that change (or not) with the new bed surface? Where is the current brisket locator? Will that change (or not) after your change?

Answers to these questions are important to study and change at the same time as your bedding surface. You’re going to disrupt the cows with the stall surface change. If you need to move the stall, do it at the same time. It will be less of a headache for you and less disturbance for the cows. It may add a few dollars to the installation of a new bed, but it will reduce the stress on your cows (and you).

Checking the measurements of the stall (especially the neck rail) is critical if you are switching from a deep bedding to a mattress or waterbed.

The recommended placement of the neck rail on a deep-bedded stall is 6 inches closer to the curb than is recommended for a mattress or waterbed stall. Also, double-check the height from the base of the stall to the neck rail. With deep bedding, cows can dig out bedding to make enough room to get up. If you switch to mattresses or waterbeds, the cows will no longer be able to dig out the bedding. You may need to raise the neck rail to give them more room.

Get ‘their smell’ on any new material

Changing the bedding surface for a cow for the very first time is an adjustment. A new surface, a new smell and, possibly even, a new feeling. Adding a light dusting of manure can help the cows adapt by hiding the different smell.

What if she doesn’t adapt?

Sometimes there are one or two cows that resist change even more than we, as humans, do. Try placing the cow in a stall and preventing her from backing out for a short period of time until she lies down. Once she lies down on the surface, she will generally overcome her reluctance and use the stall at the next opportunity.

It is reasonable to expect cows to take a couple of weeks to adapt to stall changes. When steps are taken to help cows with the transition, producers should experience minimal health and production losses.

Change can be difficult

When you visit farms or after you’ve made your decision to switch, try calling a few farmers back who helped you make the decision and ask how their transition went. They may be able to give you some good advice on things they wished they’d done differently.

But, most of all, be patient with yourself and your cows.