Written protocols should be in place and reviewed annually with your veterinarian and employees to ensure that certain procedures are carried out appropriately.

Goals:

To promote health, welfare, and the production of quality milk by maintaining clean, dry, and comfortable places for every animal to lie down.

How to Assess:

Review the environmental management protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met:

Dairy Well

Management practices should include:

• Providing clean, dry, soft bedding and lying surfaces
• A schedule for frequent pen grooming
• A schedule for cleaning floors (lactating cows only)
• A schedule for cleaning water and food containers and any feeding equipment

 

A template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content is met.

 

National Dairy FARM Program

A written protocol is not required for this assessment.

• Flooring surfaces must be maintained to provide traction at all times and reduce the risk of slipping
• Visual contact with other animals should be provided for all classes of cattle, excluding the cows closest to calving
• All animals have a resting area that provides cushion, insulation, warmth, dryness and traction at all times when away from the milking facility

Validus

A written protocol is not required for this assessment.

• Electric fences and crowd gates must be designed, maintained, and used so that contact with them does not case injury
• General facilities (e.g. flooring, headlocks, water troughs) maintained to prevent animal injury
• Stall mattresses must be maintained
  • Edges not pulled up as a tripping hazard
  • Bedding maintained daily
• Lot surfaces, mounds, and traffic lanes maintained to prevent animal injury
• A minimum of 18 in. per cow of feed bunk space must be provided
• Stocking density must not exceed 120%