As market forces and legislation continue to put pressure on the farming community, more and
more farmers are re-evaluating their operating practices to maximise efficiency and realise
better returns.
For dairy farmers, that means keeping the herd in the best possible health. But that extends
beyond nutrition to comfortable clean surroundings. Cattle accommodation and, in particular,
their bedding material, can make a huge difference. This means fewer outgoings on vet bills.
Two and half years ago, Preston-based EnviroSystems identified a use for the waste produced
from paper recycling. The company processed the remaining short fibres to create a unique new
bedding option for dairy cows – EnviroBed - that stays drier and therefore cleaner for much
longer than the more commonly used straw, sawdust and shavings. The result: cleaner, healthier cows, lower vet bills and, most importantly, an opportunity to take full advantage of the cow's genetic milk yield potential.
More than 250 dairy farmers around the UK are already seeing the benefits of using EnviroBed,
both in terms of cost and in the health of their herds. But the biggest boost is the contentment of the cows which are easier to look after and cleaner to milk.
Alistair Wannop, a former NFU Regional Chairman, has been using the EnviroBed Hi Dri on his
300-cow dairy farm in Linstock near Carlisle as part of his restocking process after the foot and mouth outbreak. "The difference in using the EnviroBed system was noticeable immediately," said Mr Wannop. "It has certainly helped in the difficult challenge of settling in a new herd. The
cows accepted the cubicles very well, and are comfortable and clean on this dry, soft bedding
material," said Mr Wannop.
"The cows are much cleaner. The thick permanent papery layer builds up on the concrete to
create a good cushion for the cows to lie on, which makes them a lot more content. We bed just
three times per week. It's a great product, and makes our work much easier."
An average dairy farm spends just 2 - 3% of its total outgoings on bedding. This is exceptionally
low, when shortage of bedding causes stress and health problems. Managing infections is a
constant challenge and one that can be kept to a minimum by using the correct bedding.
Liz Russell of EnviroSystems explains: "Rubber mats and mattresses were introduced as a
comfortable option around 15 years ago, but they retain moisture, including milk and urine, which soaks into the clean bedding used on top. Although EnviroBed Hi Dri is suitable for use with mats and mattresses, it is generally harder work to keep cows clean on this system.
Bedding usage can be reduced significantly, with cows keeping themselves cleaner, if Hi Dri is
placed straight onto concrete. Farmers are now taking mats out in order to achieve this. The
payback is in reduced bedding costs, vet bills and time spent bedding up."
EnviroBed is highly absorbent, which provides a much drier and more comfortable surface for
cows to lie on. The paper bedding sticks to the concrete to form a porous layer, which draws the
moisture away from the cow, without retaining it. If cows can spend an extra two hours each day
lying down, milk production can be increased daily by an extra two litres.
EnviroBed is heat-treated and therefore pathogen-free when delivered. Its extra absorbency
retains nitrogen from muck and urine which reduces ammonia in sheds. The slurry then retains
the nitrogen until spread onto the land. Some farmers have seen better crops and savings in
bought in fertiliser.
The innovation of this environmentally friendly, cost-effective and hygienic alternative to traditional cattle bedding has been formally recognised with an Excellence and Innovative Enterprise Award from the North West Business Leadership Team in conjunction with Excellence North West.
