Riverview Holsteins invests in cow comfort

Meet Brendan Gildea of Riverview Holsteins, Dunmore, Co. Galway.

Brendan is the third generation to farm on the 300 acre holding, which has been in the Gildea family for over 80 years.  In 2007, they converted to an organic farm and now supply all their milk to Arrabawn Dairies. The herd averages 8,500 litres with 3.4% protein and 3.9% fat.

In 2007, Brendan built a new dairy housing facility with two robotic milking machines, cubicle housing for 120 cows with steel cubicles, plus some loose housing. The building was completed to a high standard with cow comfort and animal welfare to the fore.

However, since the construction of the shed in 2007, a number of cows sustained injuries in the steel cubicles and he lost on average of one cow per year, during this period.

In 2010, he installed 40 EASYFIX Cubicles in a loose housing area for dry cows and young stock. Since the installation of the flexible plastic cubicles there have been no losses or injuries to cows in this part of the shed.

The main herd of 120 cows remained housed in steel cubicles and injuries continued to be an on-going problem. In 2015, in order to tackle this issue he removed 120 steel cubicles and replaced them with EASYFIX Cubicles.

Since the cubicles were replaced, Brendan says “cows are now lying better in the cubicles and there have been no cows hurt or injured. I have great peace of mind knowing that there will be no be surprises when I enter the shed each morning”

The EASYFIX Cubicles have proved to be the safest, most comfortable cow cubicles in the world, offering superior levels of comfort and safety for livestock.

Over 50,000 EASYFIX cubicles have now been installed in over 20 countries around the world.

The EASYFIX cubicles have started a revolution and farmers are fast becoming aware of the advantages of this flexible cubicle system over traditional rigid steel systems.

Dairy farming today, places huge emphasis on animal comfort and welfare. The evidence to support investment in better levels of cow comfort is now unquestionable. Creating the perfect environment for cows with superior levels of comfort is a must and providing a comfortable cubicle area for cows to lie is vital. After all they can spend up to 14 hours per day lying down.

Join Brendan and thousands of other farmers worldwide and become part of the EASYFIX Cubicle Revolution.