The following article is from Mr. Ronald Kummerfeldt. He is an American hoof trimmer and has seen drastic changes for the better after cows were stalled on Dual Chamber Cow Waterbeds. Please read about his experiences with the Dual Chamber Cow Waterbed.

REPORT ON THE EFFECTS OF INSTALLING DUAL CHAMBER WATERBEDS IN THE FREE STALLS OF PLEASANT VALLEY COLONY DAIRY – BELT, MT

Written by: Ronald Kummerfeldt- Hoof Biz, Inc.

Pleasant Valley Colony in Belt, MT has had an established dairy operation for many years. For the last four years I have had the privilege of providing hoof health services for their dairy cattle. The herdsmen have always demonstrated a consistent desire to maximize cow comfort even while under the constraints of antiquated facilities. It has been my observation that this heard of cattle is exceptionally clean, has usually received timely treatment for feet and leg injuries and is generally well cared for.

In spite of excellent attention, my records indicate that the incidence of sole ulcers, white line lesions and abraded swollen hocks remained constant. I was unable to futher reduce, let alone eliminate these lesions and found that swollen and abraded hocks were particularly difficult. I also saw evidence that animals that developed hock lesions often experienced claw lesions of one sort or another. It was clearly apparent that the hocks were being abraded by the rought surface of the synthetic mats. In other words the construction of the mats and the lying/resting requirements of the cattle were not compatible. It was my conclusion that the cattle found the abrasive and unyielding mats uncomfortable thus spent less than the optimal time lying down and resting. It obviously follows that if the cows were not laying down in the free stalls they had to be standing or doing something else. The greater the time spent standing the greater potential for the development of hoof disorders. To complicate things further, when a foot does become painful, the cow’s desire to lay down increases so she has no choice but to return to the uncomfortable bed. In spite of efforts to correct the problem which included changing type and quantity of bedding materials, applying lime, changing the configuration of the free stalls and treating lesions as soon as they were observed, the injuries persisted.

It was obvious that cow comfort was being compromised however the constraints and limitations of the old facility precluded any further gains. In 2005 Pleasant Valley Colony constructed a new dairy facility and installed modern state of the art housing with the concept of maximum cow comfort receiving the highest priority. Free stalls received beds that incorporated Dual Chamber Cow Waterbeds. A large compartment for the torso of the animal and a smaller one for the brisket and forend.

My routine visit to the dairy followed six months after the new barn went into production. The change in the cattle was immediately obvious. Hock lesions and swelling had disappeared, sole ulcers and white line issues were reduced to a fraction and the general appearance of the heard was improved.

Obviously the construction of the completely new facility has had numerous benefits to the cow herd, some of which may have to some degree even helped reduce lameness incidence. That being said, I can confidently state that the Dual Chamber Cow Waterbeds have been the sole reason for the complete elimination of hock lesions in this herd and subsequently have improved hoof health in general. Interestingly, even cows that had chronic hock lesions have largely recovered in the new barn.

It is my conclusion that general hoof and leg health of cows that are confined on concreate will be greatly improved if they are provided a desirable place where they can lay down for long periods of time without having to endure the discomfort of an unyielding and abrasive bed.