26 January 2023

How much straw is enough? Do the kneeling test!

Calves need dry bedding. It may seem simple but things often go wrong in practice. Calves with wet or damp bedding run a greater risk of airway ­problems and diarrhea.

Make sure you have enough dry and clean straw in the cubicles. Lieke Janssen, young cattle ­specialist at Agrifirm in The Netherlands, has a good rule of thumb. “Try kneeling in the straw. If your knees and legs stay dry, then there is a enough straw in the pen.

Some people advise ‘enough straw that you can no longer see the calf’s legs’. “It may seem over the top, but the intention is clear: do not try to save on straw.”

Do not save on straw

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