Irish Farmers Say Cattle Like Rubber Flooring

Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 23, 2012 -- Irish dairy and beef farmers are finding that their animals benefit when rubber flooring is fitted over the typical slatted floors.

Farmers say the flooring not only improves the health and welfare of the cattle, but also brings improvements in productivity and profitability.

Farmers Guardians quoted one farmer: “Since fitting the rubber we have seen an increase in weight gain, probably because of comfort and warmth, and a 50-60 per cent decrease in lameness from about 8 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

“The cattle get up and down much more easily as they are more confident doing so, which means they lie down a lot more.

“The reduction in lameness makes management so much easier and reduces labour.