%0 Journal Article
%T Artificial Grass as an Alternative Laneway Surface for Dairy Cows Walking to Pasture
%A Deborah McConnell
%A Gillian Scoley
%A Stephanie Buijs
%J Animals | An Open Access Journal from MDPI
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110891
%X Softer surfaces can alleviate pressure on the claw during claw每surface contact, which is especially important for cows with painful claws. The benefits of softer barn floors are well known, but as cows often walk long distances twice daily between pasture and parlour, laneway surfaces are also important. In trial 1, we evaluated the gait of 69 cows on a standard (stone dust-over-gravel) laneway and an artificial grass laneway. Greater speed and longer strides were interpreted as indicators of a more suitable surface. Walking speed was greater on artificial grass than on the standard laneway ( p = 0.001, median artificial grass: 1.46 m/s [interquartile range (IQR): 1.39每1.54], standard 1.40 m/s [IQR: 1.30每1.48]). No significant stride length increase was detected ( p > 0.10, 158 cm [IQR:151每166] versus 155 cm [IQR:149每164]). In trial 2, we evaluated cow preference by giving 66 pairs of cows four consecutive choices between the standard laneway and artificial grass. Artificial grass was preferred overall (median stretches of artificial grass used out of a maximum of 4: 3 [IQR:2每4], p < 0.001). This preference was significantly ( p = 0.001) stronger in lame cows (median: 3 [IQR:3每4]), than in sound ones (median: 2 [IQR:2每3]). Preference was also affected by the side of the laneway covered with artificial grass. Our results suggest that artificial grass improves the welfare of dairy cows walking to and from pasture, with lame cows benefiting to a greater extent. View Full-Tex
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/11/891