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The feeding of cattle is a delicate issue and a process that deserves particular attention, from mowing to conservation and distribution, to make sure that animals have the highest level of health and, consequently, also humans.

As we all know, cattle are part of the ruminant family, a category of herbivores including goats, sheep, deer and camelids, which have a digestive system with 4 functional stomachs for the process of digesting cellulose.

The polygastric digestive system of cattle is described as complex due to the microbial fermentation process that begins in the forestomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum) and ends at the abomasum, a real stomach operating in activity with the digestive enzymes of the intestine.

Feeding cattle in the summer season: some precautions

Feeding cattle is a crucial process that requires constant and meticulous monitoring throughout the year, but especially in the summer, when it is often a challenge to keep animals comfortable, since they can be affected by humidity and high temperatures. The climate, therefore, leads to a reduction in ingestion and milk production, especially evident towards the autumn months: according to the THI (Temperature Humidity Index), temperatures must not exceed the value of 73 where the first symptoms of discomfort begin, and where a real emergency starts at a value of 84.

The precautions to be taken for hot weather, therefore, include the presence of shaded areas and ventilated environments, greater availability of clean and fresh water, possibly below 15° and, last but not least, ad hoc rationing and dosing of food.

The correct food plan in feeding cattle

The food plan must, in fact, be regulated according to clinical nutrition where the dosage of particular nutrients and food additives plays a fundamental role: while in winter the inclusion of more seasoned forages is acceptable, in summer the forages should be young, fresh and palatable.

The palatability of fodder must go hand in hand with its digestibility, giving preference to silage such as corn or beetroot and soy, foods with a high sugar content and low rumen degradability proteins, it is also good to limit the chlorine concentration by preferring sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, to avoid the metabolic acidosis of the blood that can be activated by heat stress.

In terms of managing space and schedules, it is also useful to try and feed at the coolest times, such as early morning and late evening, making sure there is good lighting and a good arrangement of food and water troughs.

We always recommend, in line with the concepts set out above, to take as a reference the natural and spontaneous reaction of cows to variations in doses and nutritional measures, to learn to recognise their needs and adapt the food according to how satiated they are and their energy level.

(tab.1) Recommended concentration of macroelements in the summer season (values referring to dry matter)

Elements	Recommended values in summer
Sodium	0.6 max
Potassium	no limit
Chlorine	> 0.25
Magnesium	0.4
Calcium	> 0.9
Phosphorus	> 0.4
Dcad meq (Na + K) – Cl]100 grams	+ 35 + 40

Source: Fantini Professional Advice 2015

The summer season is just around the corner, and with it, the needs of farm cattle become even more apparent. The observation and management of dairy cows is, from their very first moments of life, an increasingly delicate process that requires constant updating and maintenance to ensure that their environment is welcoming and conducive to healthy and strong growth.

In winter, farmers often resort to the natural ventilation system; however, in the hottest periods, this cooling method may not be sufficient to guarantee the well-being of their animals. Let’s take a look at why in this article.

THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE IN THE STALL BARN

Temperatures that for us can be described as mild, 24–25 °C, can for dairy animals manifest initial complications, progressively adding to the impact of solar radiation, relative humidity (RH) and temperature changes, resulting in overall heat stress.

In order to optimise general health, average stall barn temperatures should vary between lactating and dry cows. Among other things, lactating cows require a temperature neutrality of approximately -5 °C to 21 °C, but dry cows deserve equal attention due to the period of stress to which they are subjected, with a higher temperature of approximately 0 °C to 24 °C. Considering that optimum temperatures can never be finalised due to factors such as humidity and air velocity, the reference average should be between 7 °C and 20 °C with a humidity level of no more than 40/50%.

NATURAL VENTILATION AND COOLING SYSTEMS

In the cooler period, systems are used to reinforce the natural methods of recirculation through upward air movement by means of side openings and upper domes. In fact, the cold season, regardless of the region, often relies on natural ventilation, also known as the “passive” system, thanks to the ability to recycle the air without the use of any energy source. An optimal process to significantly reduce costs and maintenance through a so-called “chimney” effect.

However, given the physiological tendency of cows to give off heat, as temperatures rise, natural systems may not be sufficient to counteract the influx of hot air, so the need for forced cooling and ventilation comes into play. Thermoregulation instruments are distributed between sleeping quarters and feeding areas accompanied by sprinklers in the self-locking yoke panels at an alternating rhythm to guide a cycle of cooling and drying (see link) of the cows’ coats, facilitating temperature regulation. The destratifiers, with high energy efficiency and low consumption, allow constant recycling and redistribution of the air, thanks to the constant movement of six aluminium blades.

New technologies make it possible to combine these systems with automatic control units, which, thanks to temperature/humidity detection, allow automatic regulation of the bath-drying cycles.

In conclusion, the monitoring of the microclimate in a stall barn is just one of the many factors to be considered, possibly already at the design stage of the facility, in order to achieve a significant improvement in animal welfare and greater results in terms of quality and productivity.

The world of animal husbandry is paying more and more attention to every aspect of the life of the animals being raised. In particular, to keep cows healthy and at high levels of productivity it is essential to control their nutrition.

Quality in the fodder production process

It is necessary, therefore, to ensure the quality of fodder, not only by checking the raw material – i.e. selecting species that are more productive in terms of quality and quantity – but also by making sure processing and storage are more efficient.    

Once the green plant has been harvested, given its high water content, it must be properly treated to avoid rapid deterioration. In order to produce stable fodder that retains all its original nutritional qualities, it must be processed quickly.

What is haymaking?

It is the practice, also known as dry storage, of removing water from the plant tissues to a moisture content of between 12% and 15%.

The different types of haymaking include: traditional haymaking (where the hay is left to dry in the field without ever being moved) and two-stage haymaking (a process that involves a pre-wilting phase in the field and then a subsequent drying phase in the barn).

Risks of hay fermentation

When compacting the fodder, fermentation losses occur because there is less gas exchange in the compressed mass of the product. This results in the proliferation of moulds and micro-organisms that degrade protein and carbohydrate structures. This leads to a ‘heated’ hay where sugars and amino acids react with each other to form compounds that cannot be digested by the animals.

Depending on the storage technique chosen, there will be different fermentation losses; specifically between 10-15% for traditional haymaking, which can be as high as 30% if the forage has a high moisture content, and between 3-10% for two-stage haymaking.

Furthermore, if not properly controlled, hay fermentation – particularly for certain types of plants and when the stored product is too wet – can lead to episodes of spontaneous combustion.

Having an efficient, quality structure and applying some care when storing hay is therefore an important factor in controlling the haymaking process.

Visit this page for more information on the various farm tunnel models:

https://www.antoniniduea.it/it/tunnel-agricoli-e-coperture-in-telo/

Environmental sustainability means recyclability and durability, and steel is indeed sustainable! In fact, it is the most recycled material in the world (approximately 14 tonnes are recycled every second). Italy is the leading European country in terms of ferrous metal scrap recycling, with an average of roughly 20 million tonnes per year of material that is re-melted in national steelworks.

After having exhausted its structural functions, 100% of steel scrap is recycled (without losing any of its properties), and 99% of profiles (both flat and long) are recovered as they can be easily separated from other materials. Steel, therefore, contributes both directly and indirectly to the conservation of natural resources.

The lifecycle of a steel building is considerably longer than that of a conventional building, taking into account the possibility of changing its use without serious environmental impact (no material to be sent to landfill and no energy consumption for disposal). 

Thanks to modern galvanising and painting technologies, steel retains its properties throughout the building’s life, helping to extend the life of the construction. Steel is sustainable because it also enables energy-efficient buildings to be constructed using cladding systems with high insulation performance. 

 In order to get the most out of all its features, we always recommend that you consult an experienced designer and builder, who is familiar with the performance characteristics and limitations and can therefore build your construction according to your requirements. 

Contact us for an initial consultation, go to: https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/products/agricultural-structures/

Costruzioni agricole ed industriali

Steel represents the most up-to-date synthesis of engineering and architecture, creating constructions that translate into profitable investments over time. Thanks to its powerful expressiveness and its elasticity and malleability, the architectural work and the structural work interpret one another, enhancing the design and its particular features. Treatments such as galvanizing and painting or the use of stainless steel ensure a finished construction that is able to maintain its characteristics unchanged over time. 

STEEL STRUCTURES ARE RECOGNISED FOR THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION 

The accuracy and degree of precision used in the design of steel structures makes it possible to obtain lightweight yet safe constructions. Every construction detail has a precise purpose at the structural level and is designed to combine aesthetic taste, ease of installation and cost effectiveness.

This makes it possible to design very large interior spaces without the need for intermediate support structures. Metal structures take up less space because they do not have pillars and smaller profiles, meaning the covered area can be exploited to the full. This is an advantage that is difficult to obtain using traditional materials such as reinforced concrete. In addition, thanks to its flexibility, a steel structure allows extensions, elevations, renovations, changes of use and adaptation of internal spaces that would otherwise be difficult to achieve using other materials.

Steel’s functionality and versatility of use make it a competitive material for any type of construction. The competitiveness of steel solutions is testified by elements that have a very positive impact on the final cost of a construction: speed of construction first of all, but also savings on foundation works (light structures require lesser foundations). 

WHY CHOOSE A STEEL STRUCTURE EVEN ON EXISTING ADAPTATIONS

Work on existing buildings is an increasingly pressing issue in the face of the historical authenticity of the legacy of buildings and infrastructures built during the decades of strong economic and demographic growth of the last century. One of the major concerns is the seismic safety of existing buildings, which were built according to obsolete anti-seismic criteria or with no consideration of seismic action because, at the time they were designed, the area in which they were to be built was not classified as seismic. 

It is now well known that the whole of Italy is subject to seismic risk and recent events have unfortunately highlighted the seismic vulnerability of the built environment as a social and economic emergency threatening both the lives of Italy’s inhabitants and its productive activities. For these reasons, the search for effective and competitive solutions to reduce the vulnerability of existing buildings to earthquakes and their applications in the field have assumed roles of increasing centrality in the construction industry.In this context, steel plays an undoubtedly fundamental role thanks to its following qualities:

• lightness of the structural elements, made possible by a high strength-to-weight ratio, a feature that, in turn, makes it easier to transport and install structures and minimises the side effects due to the increase in load and mass on existing structures;
• small size of the structural elements, as a natural consequence of the excellent structural efficiency of steel, a feature that makes it easier to replace existing structures and/or integrate them with reinforcing elements;
• aesthetic value of the steel elements, which is fundamental when the structural synergy between old and new materials is combined with the architectural value that comes from the contrast between different characteristics;
• speed of construction, a feature that is always desirable, but especially when the work is urgent or when it is not possible to disrupt the use of the building for any length of time;
• reversibility of construction work, a feature of steel structures based on removable dry connections, especially important for work on historic buildings.

For these reasons, steelwork is a solution that lends itself very well to structural interventions aimed at reducing the seismic vulnerability of existing masonry or reinforced concrete buildings.  

Find out how we work on: https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/company/

What characteristics should the recovery shed have, in our opinion?

Let’s talk about some factors to consider when designing the construction or expansion of the recovery shed, which obviously must be looked at on a case-by-case basis, because as we always like to emphasise, each farm is as unique as each individual head, and it is right that the farmer first makes the choice that they deem best for their herd. 

Recovery shed: what are the fundamental factors

For us, ventilation and light are always key elements, regardless of the construction material and size. A shed that is as open as possible, inclined and oriented in the right way, promotes good natural ventilation, at least where the external climatic conditions are favourable. Another thing not to be underestimated is indirect natural light that can be achieved with a little wisdom applied when the recovery shed for heifers is designed. All of this promotes a healthier environment that ensures higher performance. 

How to design a recovery shed

Internal planning should be done taking into account the various periods of the year and their relative critical activities. In our opinion, it is better to think about dividing the shed into various boxes in order to organise dedicated feeding according to the various ages and based on growth, free access to the feeding lane and preferably direct access to the external paddock 24 hours a day. 

Spending time outdoors promotes the heifer’s natural physiology, by allowing it to move freely on soft and uncemented ground, strengthens its structure and promotes its healthy growth, thus giving you a healthier cow in the future. 

Check out some examples at https://www.antoniniduea.it/it/prodotti/farm-tunnel-per-bovini/ 

Increasing attention is being given to animal welfare, starting from the birth of the calf. For this reason, it is important to be familiar with the current regulations and to consolidate the method acquired with experience in the field. In any case, it is important to devote proper attention and time to these newborns who will be the future of the cowshed. Whether you choose a dedicated accommodation such as a calf house or the solution of external calf boxes, it is good to consider some general information, which we are often asked for and which can be a starting point for creating an operational calf house. 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED FEATURES OF A CALF HOUSE?

One of the first features is the rest area, which must always be dry and comfortable, receive appropriate lighting and ventilation, and be sheltered from drafts. The various calf boxes must allow each animal to move easily and facilitate visual and olfactory contacts between them, where there are no specific veterinary requirements. After the first 8 weeks, the calves must be reared in groups with minimum spaces and well-defined parameters based on weight. The last, but a very important, feature that we would like to emphasise is that all building materials must be easily washable and disinfectable. Cleaning and sanitation are essential issues for a high-performance calf house. 

WHAT SIZE SHOULD A CALF BOX BE?  

Dimensions vary according to the weight of the calf but also according to the individual directives that your ASL requires, we strongly advise you to set up a dedicated accommodation and not an improvised corner or a generally disused storage space. In the case of calves placed in single boxes, we recommend an area of at least 1.5 m² for the first 30 days, and about 2 m² up to 60 days, obviously this is guideline data that can also vary a lot according to the type of weaning that is undertaken. The focus is certainly increasingly shifting towards animal welfare even before birth. Dedicating or increasing the space in the calf houses, together with other important precautions, allows you to achieve very satisfactory results. 

Find out more about some of the accommodations we have created https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/products/calf-house/

A new birth is always one of the most beautiful events, even in the stable. That’s why we want to dedicate a few minutes to the topic of feeding calves, especially in their first days of life.

What is certain is the importance of administering a good quality colostrum within the first 6 hours of life. This allows the greatest absorption of nutrients, which is very important for growth and digestion. It is also the only way to allow the calf to develop passive immunity, which is useful for preventing some of the most common diseases among calves, such as diarrhoea and respiratory diseases.

Administering colostrum: an important factor in the feeding of calves 

By colostrum, we mean the “milk” from the first two milkings; the higher its quality, the greater the benefits, which is why it’s important that breeders have a reserve kept in the right way, to be used if they do not have it at the time of birth. Colostrum administration is a delicate phase, so another recommendation is to dedicate the right time to it, remembering that this will strengthen the immune system and therefore protect the calf in its first weeks of life. If you do it right, you’ll see the results in the not-so-distant future. 

FEEDING CALVES AND ORGANISING SPACE 

In addition to the calves’ diet, another important factor to keep in mind is the cleanliness of the spaces dedicated to the new-born. In fact, we often see improvised calf pens in small, reclaimed or disused areas. This obviously worsens the growing conditions considerably and exponentially increases the bacterial load, and consequently the development of infections that can be lethal for the little ones. If you check out the many solutions available on the market for creating a dedicated structure with adequate space and ventilation in time, it will be an investment in the future of your stable. Try it!

To read about all our solutions for calves, from birth to weaning, visit https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/product-category/newborn-calf-pens/

We have been hearing about compost barn for some time, but lately it’s becoming an increasingly popular topic! It seems that this system was imported from Israeli farms. In fact, it has been used there for several years, and is still the most common method in dairy cow farms today. Whether it’s to encourage environmental sustainability or animal welfare is not yet certain; the only certain factor is that the climatic conditions in Israel are certainly more favourable.

The key to making this system work seems to be to keep the bedding as dry as possible, thus reducing any mastitis problems. On the other hand, a very important benefit that often leads farmers to adopt this system is the marked improvement in the well-being of the cow, for instance fewer breech delivery problems and more natural behaviour of the cow, thanks to the possibility of moving about freely. The improvement of the animal’s rest is also of note; compost barns allow the cows to adopt the natural and spontaneous positions they desire.

Some features of the compost barn 

The first feature of this novel approach to rearing isthe space: at least 15 m² must be planned per head in production, but some consider 17 m² to be ideal. This increases the cost of the structure, which is only partially offset by the absence of cubicles.

The floor is covered in a mixture of droppings with the integration of organic material such as sawdust, wood chips, straw, etc. which must be oxygenated at least 1-2 times a day in order to promote aerobic fermentation.

During the design of the structure, natural ventilation must be promoted as much as possible using high, open structures and the provision of a forced ventilation system. The feeding lane must be appropriately dimensioned with the addition of an automatic cleaning system, which is essential in this area as it’s where the cow produces the most excrement. 

Some benefits of compost barns 

• improved animal welfare due to full freedom of movement and improved rest
• significant reduction in breech delivery problems
• increase in the longevity of cows (and therefore lactations)
• increased fertility
• reduction in the use of antibiotics
• increased fodder production (thanks to a better spreading substance)
• reduced external work for slurry storage

In summary, several benefits can be achieved if a compost barn works well, therefore some points remain fundamental including the space, the degree of humidity, the number of heads to manage and not least the will and perseverance of the farmer in undertaking this alternative method. 

The well-being of cattle depends on water in every season, but especially in the summer. Too often, the importance of water for dairy cows is underestimated, but it is fundamental to ensure their well-being. After all, milk is 80% composed of water. 

So, what are the important things that should not be neglected when designing a dairy barn? These include not just the position, size, height and depth of the troughs, but also the quantity and quality of the water supplied. Normally, a working dairy cow drinks over 180 litres of water per day at an average of 10/20 litres per drink. 

For a quality production you need quality water, so you should pay particular attention to its composition with multiple parameters, such as hardness, PH value, electrical conductivity, nitrates and nitrites, etc. 

DRINKING FOR DAIRY COWS: THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE AND THE BENEFITS

Another fundamental element to take into consideration when it comes to drinking for dairy cows is the temperature of the water supply. Several studies have established a temperature ranging from approximately 18° to 24° as ideal. Therefore, the preparation of the recirculation system in the design phase of the hydraulic system is fundamental.

Knowing how to evaluate and apply all this in a dairy cattle barn leads to countless benefits: 

– higher intake of water and dry matter 

– increased ruminal efficiency

– improved digestive efficiency of the rumen

– improved fermentation of long fibres

– faster ruminal transit with significant reabsorption of volatile fatty acids 

Do you want to know how to optimize and make the watering of your animals more efficient? Discover our range of equipment on: https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/products/cattle-and-buffalo-drinking-troughs/