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85. Straw yards are usually divided into a straw-covered area where the cows can lie down and an unbedded, concrete loafing and feeding area. Each cow over-wintered in a straw yard will usually require between 1.5 and
3 tonnes of straw, depending on various factors such as diet and climate. This is not a major problem if the farmer grows sufficient cereals or is in an area of the country where straw is relatively cheap but it may not be an economic proposition for those without a ready supply of competitively priced straw. If the system is to work well, sufficient straw must be used and, as with cubicles, adequate ventilation is essential to maintain a dry lying area, otherwise the number of dirty cows and cases of mastitis increase. Mastitis incidence is not high in the best managed straw yards. It is important that straw yard systems are easy to clean.
86. The incidence of lameness in cattle housed in straw yards tends to be lower than those kept in typical cubicle systems. However, the straw yard system can predispose to foot problems if inadequate straw is used and the bedding is wet. It is therefore essential to top-up the straw daily and to clean out the yard every four to six weeks. If consideration is to be given to the greater use of straw yards, it is important for straw to be readily available and for management input to be high.
87. Slurry should be removed frequently, at least twice a day, from all concrete areas and the passageways should be in good condition to reduce the risk of lameness. There should be sufficient space to allow all cows to lie down without difficulty, so yards should not be overcrowded. The incidence of trodden teats can be greater than in cubicles, particularly if a number of animals are bulling and the yard is overcrowded.
88. Easy access for cows to the bedded area is important, preferably along the whole length of the building, and care is required to avoid crowding in narrow access routes which become wet and fouled. The position of water and feeding troughs is also important. These should be confined to concrete areas and access should be away from the bedded area.
89. Dry cows are most often kept in straw yards during the housing period, with many having no access to a concrete feeding/loafing area.
90. Where straw yards are used, sufficient clean and dry straw, normally in the region of 1.5-3 tonnes per cow, should be available for each housing period. Where possible, this straw should be stored under cover.
91. Straw yards should be topped-up with clean, dry straw on a daily basis, completely cleaned every 4-6 weeks and then rebedded.
92. There should be an area where hoof wear will occur, in order to prevent overgrowth of hooves. Slurry should be scraped from all concrete areas at least twice daily.
93. Straw yards should not be overcrowded and there should be sufficient room to allow all animals to lie in comfort at the same time and to move freely .
94. Straw yards should be designed to allow easy access and exit.
95. Feed and water troughs should not be sited on the bedded area and access should not be possible directly from the bedded yard.
96. Where practicable, cows which are bulling should be removed temporarily from the main group to minimise churning up of the straw yard which predisposes to dirty cows, teat injuries and mastitis.
97. Research is required on management practices in straw yards which help to control pathogens contributing to foot and mastitis problems.