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Unpublished Paper
Final Report on Rubber Mats on Concrete Slats in Deep Pit Confinement Buildings for Finishing Cattle
Animal Industry Report
  • Russell M. Euken, Iowa State University
  • Grant A. Dewell, Iowa State University
  • Reneé D. Dewell, Iowa State University
Extension Number
ASL R2962
Publication Date
2015
Topic
Beef
Summary and Implications

Confinement housing of beef cattle is becoming more common due to increased environmental concerns and the desire to capture potential efficiencies in cattle performance and manure value. Deep pit facilities with slatted floors are being built, however one of the disadvantages may be the negative effect on feet and legs health, resulting in performance consequences for cattle housed on concrete slats for extended periods of time. Rubber mats designed to be installed over the concrete slats are being used to increase cattle comfort. No comparable data has been gathered in typical U.S feeding situations to measure potential benefit of these mats. This investigation is attempting to gather data to determine potential performance advantages of the mats.

Copyright Holder
Iowa State University
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-1283
Language
en
Citation Information
Russell M. Euken, Grant A. Dewell and Reneé D. Dewell. "Final Report on Rubber Mats on Concrete Slats in Deep Pit Confinement Buildings for Finishing Cattle" (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/grant_dewell/19/