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Flax-lime in deep litter boxes: comfort and hygiene
Berg Fourage has been marketing flax lime for two years now. What are the experiences? The looseness of the flax and the pH-raising effect of lime remains an ideal combination. It provides comfort and hygiene, which benefits the health of the cows.
Flax lime is a litter that, as the name implies, consists of a combination of flax and lime. This combination gives the product a sandy structure, which makes it ideally suited for deep litter boxes. It is sufficiently heavy so that it stays well in the boxes. At the same time, it is loose enough for a comfortable lounger.
Lime ensures hygiene
The added lime to the litter ensures a high pH, which leads to a low bacterial pressure in the boxes. Lime is also a good drying agent. It ensures that the litter stays nice and dry, which prevents it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. In practice, this translates into better udder health and a lower somatic cell count.
Easy to process
Due to the structure, the product can be easily processed and distributed both manually and mechanically. Ria Wajer, product specialist at Berg Fourage, explains how best to use flax-lime. "The first time you fill the boxes with a generous layer of around 400 kg per box. After that, you fill the boxes with about 40 kg of fresh bedding every two weeks." Flax lime is an organic substance that ends up in the manure and is completely biodegradable on land. This is good for the entire cycle of the company."
Flax-lime in different mixing ratios
Berg Fourage supplies three standard mixing ratios of flax with lime. As the mixture contains more lime, it becomes heavier and more 'sandy'. The most commonly used ratio is one part flax to five parts lime. The choice depends on the possibilities on the farm and whether the livestock farmer processes the bedding mechanically or manually. Flax-lime premium and excellent are suitable for spreading on the mats.
Dairy farmer Sjoerd Reitsma: Cows last longer
Sjoerd Reitsma milks 135 cows in Piaam, Friesland. More than two years ago he switched to deep litter boxes and one and a half years of experience with flax-lime. "This is what I was looking for," he says. "It is comfortable for the cows. I don't really come across bare heels anymore. The lime ensures a high pH, which results in a lower bacterial pressure. This is reflected in better udder health and a lower average cell count. I dare to say that flax-lime contributes to a longer lifespan for my cows."
