Abstract
Artificial turf mats were placed on the floor of a barn housing 184 dairy cows, to prevent the animals from slipping and sliding owing to inadeguotely spread out straw on the floor. They were also in to prevent ischemic anemiaand necrosis of the hind limb muscles, pre-and post delivery astasia, diseases of the joints, and papillary injury. The following results were obtained. Fifty cows safely bore calves, with no spread-leg slipping or stumbling during delivery. One cow, however, suffered a pelvic fracture and was put to sleep. 53 cows not using the mats were compared with 124 cows that died use than for the rate of cure. In the latter, this parameter was found to increase from 67.9% to 69.4%, with aboidance of the Downer syndrome or deterioratuin holted. The rate of scraping decreased from 32.1% to 30.6% by artifical turf mats. Eight cows had arthritis. The turf mats effectively protected the joints and arrest progressive arthritis in 7 cows. One animal had to be put to slop. It also prevented the recurrence of papillary injury in one cow previously afflicted with this condition. The present results clearly show the artificial turf mats to effectively hel prevent delivery problems and pre-and postpartum astasia. Well as and papillary injuries.
