{"id":14749,"date":"2022-08-03T12:53:04","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T10:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joz.nl\/?p=14749"},"modified":"2025-03-31T16:29:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:29:21","slug":"improving-cow-health-and-fertility-with-better-barn-hygiene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joz.nl\/en\/improving-cow-health-and-fertility-with-better-barn-hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving cow health and fertility with better barn hygiene"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

To keep cows healthy and fertile, it\u2019s important to pay attention to hygiene in the barn. Taking preventive hygiene measures helps lower the risk of problems such as mastitis, hoof disorders, and reduced fertility. How is hygiene related to cow health and fertility? And what can you do to keep the level of hygiene in the barn as high as possible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hygiene vs. fertility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a previous article, we explained the effect of frequent feed pushing on cow health<\/a>. Your feeding strategy is directly linked to risk factors such as claw disorders and mastitis. However, besides smart feeding, your hygiene protocol is another very important factor when it comes to reducing fertility problems and other disorders in cows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria are a problem in any barn, as they can cause udder infections and hoof disorders. Cows with mastitis are often less fertile, and are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely. For this reason, make sure that you keep minimising bacteria in places such as cubicles. After all, the fewer bacteria in the cubicles, the fewer bacteria on cows teats. This, in turn, reduces the risk of diseases. You also save money, because mastitis can easily cost you \u20ac120 per cow per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ventilation<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good ventilation can improve hygiene in the barn. Ventilating keeps humidity low and allows cubicles to dry faster, which slows down the spread of pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep the temperature in the barn about the same as the temperature outside. On warmer days when there\u2019s little wind, it\u2019s a good idea to use a mechanical fan. Avoid draughts if the temperature drops below zero, as this makes cows more susceptible to problems.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sufficient light in the barn<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very important that the barn is lit properly, above all to keep a good overview of the situation and assess animal health, heat, and hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try to keep the barn illuminated for about 16 to 18 hours with a light intensity of up to 200 lux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget that it’s important to see colours clearly, because this will help you identify changes in the udder, for example. In addition, make sure light is distributed evenly in the barn, and that there are no dark shadows. If you create sufficient and appropriate light in the barn, you promote the feed intake, milk yields and fertility of your cows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition and feed intake<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at nutrition and feed intake. Smarter feeding<\/a> keeps the herd healthy, and improves the energy balance and fertility of your livestock. Limiting any negative energy balance is especially important in calving cows. The severity and duration of the negative energy balance have a considerable impact on the activity of ovaries and ovulation. A negative energy balance also increases the risk of uterine inflammation, a retained fetal membrane, abomasum displacement, and ketosis. These, in turn, have a negative impact on fertility and milk yields. Did you know that each case of ketosis costs about \u20ac130 per year, and clinical ketosis about \u20ac150?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So don’t wait for a cow to get sick; prevention is better than the cure. Provide sufficient energy at the beginning of lactation (preferably glycogen energy with resistant starch). In addition, pay attention to the concentrate dose when roughage intake is lower to prevent rumen acidosis. Rumen acidosis can namely cause the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n