DAIRY COWS

The more rest, the better the production

Rest is essential for the health and productivity of dairy cows: if they get less than 11 hours’ rest per day, milk production drops significantly. That is why Rota Guido designs cubicles that combine comfort, hygiene and functionality. The right dimensions, suitable flooring and well-designed side panels encourage spontaneous use, improving milk quality, the cleanliness of the animals, milking efficiency and overall barn efficiency.

REST

Bedding Systems

Rota Guido offers two types of bedding systems for free-stall housing:

  • trough-style, ideal for managing bedding
  • flat-floor, designed for the optimal installation of mats and mattresses.

The company offers a complete range of mattresses, including the Rota Softy-Mattress, water mattresses, non-slip rubber mattresses and the Cow-House model, all designed to ensure comfort, safety and adaptability to the animal’s body shape.

REST

Side Panels

The side panel is a key component of Rota Guido cubicles, designed to ensure the animal is correctly positioned whilst resting and to guarantee maximum comfort.

Rota Guido offers a wide range of side panels to meet every housing requirement: from Seagull Wing solutions to the Rota Double, Comfort and Super Comfort models, right up to the revolutionary Boomerang Supercomfort. The latter, which is adjustable and fitted with a flexible guide tube, adapts to the animal’s size, ensuring comfort, hygiene and ease of management. Awarded the Targa Beltrami, it sets the standard for animal welfare in the barn.

REST

Adjustable cubicles

A particularly interesting solution is the use of cubicles for the post-weaning and re-breeding period. Cows appear to appreciate this arrangement, quickly learning to occupy the cubicles reserved for them. To ensure effective results at this stage of rearing, the side panels must be fitted to adjustable frames so that they can be easily adapted to the actual size of the animals to be housed.

Key aspects to monitor for optimal rest

  • The number of cubicles should exceed the number of cows by at least 10%, making access easier for subordinate animals or cows with mobility issues that might otherwise be forced to lie down in passageways.
  • The cubicle occupancy rate should exceed 80% after milking or feeding.

  • Correct cubicle sizing helps prevent abnormal behaviours such as perching, when the cow stands with only her front legs inside the cubicle and her hind legs in the alley.
  • The dividers should be suited to the size of the animal.
  • Mattresses should provide softness, resilience and safety, helping reduce the risk of joint injuries and abrasions.

  • Prefabricated bases allow optimal management of bedding and mattresses.
  • The design should encourage defecation outside the cubicle, improving hygiene and udder health.

  • A well-rested cow can produce up to 1.6 kg more milk per day.
  • Resting time directly affects hoof health, rumination and animal longevity.

ADVICE

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Rota Guido’s technical and sales team is at your complete disposal for any enquiries or information you may require.

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IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Design, manufacture and assembly by Rota Guido

All the solutions presented are developed and manufactured in-house to ensure quality, control and reliability in every detail.

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