Feedpads are used in dairying as an important management system to aid supplementary feeding by reducing waste.
Feedpads are also used to hold herds during periods of adverse weather, especially wet conditions, to minimise production losses, protect paddocks from pugging and to reduce damage to laneways.
Feeding systems can range from a mobile temporary solution for occasional supplementary feeding up to permanent, regularly utilised concrete pads.
Carefully consider the environmental impacts and cost of construction when choosing a feedpad.
A semi-temporary feedpad usually consists of a formed earthen or rubble base promoting off-site drainage.
Effective drainage is essential to keep the pad clean and maximise the pad's life.
This type of feeding system is typically located near the dairy or central laneway and will aid in additional supplements being fed to the herd, pre- and post-milking.
Calving pads are used by many farmers so they can easily check and assist cows at calving time, provide adequate supplementary feed and minimise environmental impacts from effluent run-off.
The design of the calving pad is influenced by the location, how steep the farm is and how frequently they will be used.
Dairy farmers are entitled to use feedpads and calving pads as part of their farming system, but they should also be aware of community expectations and potential negative attention if not managed properly.
Dairy farmers are required to manage manure and recycled effluent to avoid adverse impacts from odour and dust, prevent the pollution of ground and surface water and land, and to provide a safe working environment for staff and contractors.
A poorly designed and/or managed feedpad or calving pad may result in potential issues such as:
● Run-off from the site, which can lead to surface or subsurface water contamination.
● Muddy surfaces, especially in wet conditions, which can lead to increased incidence of mastitis.
● Dust, especially in dry conditions.
● Excessive odour and/or noise.
● Spilt feed can result in increased bird numbers and unwanted defecation by the birds on nearby residences.
● Increased animal health issues such as pinkeye.
Top tips on feedpad and calving pad construction, cleaning and maintenance are:
● Regularly monitor stock for animal health concerns, such as pink eye and mastitis.
● Ensure safe and easy access for animals, vehicles and farm workers around the pad to meet with occupational health and safety needs.
● Provide adequate spacing for loafing. The recommendation is 9 square metres/cow for short-term durations or 15 square metres/cow long-term.
● When constructing, use appropriate surface and subsurface materials, which will increase the longevity of the pad and allow for effective drainage.
● Check the availability of bedding material for use in calving areas. Having a ready supply of materials is needed to keep and maintain a clean calving pad. Ideally the pad surface should be evenly graded and compacted to form a smooth, impervious surface. The most common pad surfaces are earth and stabilised earth; gravel and coarse sand; bitumen; concrete; and rubberised mats. Calving pads are covered with a softer layer such as: rice hulls; straw; sawdust; sand; almond husks; and fruit pips.
● Effective drainage is important to deal with wet conditions plus allow all-weather access. Dairy feedpad surfaces should provide sufficient slope for effective drainage. A compacted earthen surface needs a gradient of at least 1:500 (0.2 per cent), but a concrete surface can drain at a slope of 1:2000 (0.5 per cent) or even shallower if smooth. However, operating experience shows it is better to aim for slopes in the two to four per cent range.
● Good collection and harvesting of manure and spilt feed is important and should be scraped or removed from the pad, stockpiled and stored on an impervious surface and well-bunded structure, for example, concrete or a compacted earthen pad with drainage to the effluent system. It can then be applied appropriately to paddocks as a source of fertiliser.
● Use harvested manure and effluent on crops and pastures.
● The right design and proper maintenance will help to protect ground water from contamination from leaching down the soil profile, and from run-off of effluent.
There are helpful resources available to assist farmers who are developing a new feedpad or calving pad or looking to improve their existing feedpad or calving pad.
For more information, see the guidelines for Victorian dairy feedpads and free-stalls at: www.dairyingfortomorrow.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Victorian-Guidelines-feedpads-and-freestalls.pdf
For more information, see the effluent and manure management database for the Australian Dairy Industry at: www.dairyingfortomorrow.com.au/tools-and-guidelines/effluent-and-manure-management-database-for-the-australian-dairy-industry/
- Agriculture Victoria dairy extension officer Ashley Michael