Heather Dann of the Miner Institute defines cow comfort as being “a function of the cow’s management,” which has both social and environmental components. Comfortable cows are able to naturally balance their basic needs for rest, rumination and feeding. When these needs are met, cows are healthy and productive.

One of the key things we need to focus on for our cows is time budgeting for these behaviors, Dann says.

Any human management activities should utilize no more than three-and-a-half hours per day. Eating requires another three to five hours of time with a half-hour for drinking. This schedule provides cows with exactly what they need: ample time to lie, which should happen at least 10 to 14 hours each day, and to ruminate while standing or lying.

“I think it’s incredibly important to provide cows with the time they need to be cows,” Dann says.

Stressed cows

Physiologically, well-rested cows have a decrease in cortisol production, which decreases the stress response and increases uterine blood flow. This causes an increase in milk production as well as an increase in fetal nutrients.

In the Northeast, time spent outside of the pen, in freestall barns, averages about five hours per day, Dann reports, which is too long. This time needs to be managed more closely to decrease lameness concerns.

Lameness is an animal welfare issue that occurs when animals aren’t getting enough time lying down. Lame cows are stressed and should not be out of the pen for more than 90 minutes per day.

“If you have a herd that has healthy cows, then they can really be outside the pen for that two- to four-hour range and be OK,” she says.

Empty bunks are also a cause for concern. Feed needs to be provided consistently. Ideally, the bunk will never be empty. Cows require 2 feet of space at the bunk, but dry cows require 30 inches. All cows need to be able to access the bunk simultaneously.

Feed can be provided once per day if adequate pushups occur. The first two hours after feeding require pushups every 30 minutes for the most benefit.

In a study of 47 herds with similar genetics, fed the same TMR, there was a range of 45 pounds to 74 pounds of average milk production per cow per day. The difference, Dann says, was all due to management decisions.

Feeding to refusal, increasing feed pushups and decreasing stocking density all increased milk production in the study. However, there were no high-producing herds with a stocking rate greater than 120 percent; this density seems to be the threshold where high production cannot be achieved, Dann says.

In lactating cows, the density in a four-row freestall barn should not be more than 120 percent. In a six-row barn, it should not go above 100 percent. Three-row barns, becoming more popular in the Northeast, are most prone to overstocking, she said.

“Sometimes the optimal stall stocking density, from an economic standpoint, can be different than that from a well-being standpoint,” she explains, but milk loss and cow health concerns also impact the bottom-line economics.

“We need to adjust our stocking density,” relative to milk price while realizing that there is a trade-off, Dann says.

There is a difference in time budgeting between first-lactation and mature cows, and commingled pens can cause problems. First-lactation cows become easily displaced from the resources they need, avoiding stalls with dominant cow use. They also eat slowly, taking smaller bites.

“The first-lactation animals almost always lose,” in commingled situations, Dann points out, resulting in less resting time, lower milk production, weight loss and rumen changes.

No matter the stage of life, stress can have lasting impacts. Paying attention to stressors that affect cows during various periods can ultimately affect milk production.

“We know that heat stress abatement works for lactating cows, but it’s also important for dry cows,” Dann advises.

Heat stress will have a negative impact on milk yield after calving. Dry cows that don’t suffer from heat stress show increased immune functioning, leading to better calf health. With a healthier in utero environment, calves grow faster and are healthier.

Using calving pens can reduce stress by providing a secluded place for birthing, which is what cows naturally seek. A bedded-pack pen with a blind available decreases maternal stress for the laboring cow.

“Take advantage of these natural behaviors,” Dann suggests.

Stall comfort

One of the biggest obstacles to lying behavior is overstocking. When cows are crowded, they will choose to lie down whenever they get the opportunity, forgoing food if necessary. This will cause productivity to decrease significantly. An increase of one hour of lying time translates into 4 additional pounds of milk.

“Do things to prompt lying behaviors. If we restrain her ability to lie, she’ll actively sacrifice her willingness to go and eat,” Dann says. Increasing rumination time has “tremendous impacts for rumen health,” with the potential for increases in milk yield and components.

Increasing the amount of bedding and keeping bedding clean, dry and comfortable is a good start. Cows won’t lie when bedding is wet. Bedding material does matter, as does softness and depth. Adding an extra layer of sawdust or more sand can increase milk production while decreasing herd health issues.

Sand in deep-bedded stalls needs regular grooming, due to the “hollowing out” effect. Once the bedding is less than 4 to 6 inches, lying time decreases. Mattress use, which is common in three-row barns, can increase injury, Dann says.

“The Northeast is one of the worst regions for having hock injuries,” Dann says.

Stall dimensions matter too. Dann recommends a 50-inch neck rail, 50-inch wide stalls and 70 inches in length for larger herds. The economic benefits of increased stall comfort include a lower cull rate, increased milk production and a decrease in somatic cell count.

“This cow has to live there, but she’s also working for you and me,” Dann says.

Keeping cows comfortable means allowing them to budget their time naturally. This results in less stress and more productivity. Managing a freestall system successfully means keeping cow comfort a priority.  PD

Tamara Scully, a freelance writer based in northwestern New Jersey, specializes in agricultural and food system topics.