Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Does everyone agree with these findings?


Pampered cows are healthier and more productive, new study reveals.

DeLaval News Release

A new study by Cornell University shows that dairy cows using the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush (SCB) register higher milk production and lower clinical mastitis cases.



The study compared different groups of cows housed in pens using the Swinging Cow Brush to the similar reference groups kept in identical pens under the exact same conditions but without the SCB. The research team concluded that second lactation cows using the SCB showed a significant and increasing difference in daily milk production of up to +1kg per day.



"The Swinging Cow Brush provided a favorite pass time for the cows in this herd. It was fun to watch their interaction with this grooming device. The added benefit of increased production and reduced clinical mastitis makes me think that every farmer should utilize the Cow Brush to make the cows and themselves a bit happier" said Ynte H. Schukken, Professor of Herd Health at Cornell University.



Installation of the SCB resulted in an immediate increase in cow grooming behavior. Farm workers noticed instantly the frequent, intense use of the brushes and the eagerness of the cows to use them, according to the Cornell research team. A second major finding was the significant drop in clinical mastitis cases (over 30%) among second and older lactation cows housed in pens with a SCB present.



“Animal Welfare is a top priority for DeLaval. We are delighted to market a product that makes it possible to improve health, comfort and welfare for the animal while notably boosting profit for the farmer,” said Tim Nicolaï, DeLaval Vice President Product Area Milk Quality & Farm Supplies.



According to DeLaval the investment made on SCB can be covered several times over by the profits made through increased milk production and the cost savings achieved through mastitis prevention. Additionally, the SCB keeps cows clean, active, calm and more balanced.



The initial results of this study are based on a comparison between two pens with and two pens without an SCB. The research was conducted by the Quality Milk Production Services of the Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) and the Sprucehaven Farm and Research Center (Scipio Springs, New York).



Click here to watch the cow grooming herself! / to download high resolution SCB video / to download high resolution SCB photos:

http://www.delaval.com/About_DeLaval/Press-centre/DeLaval+Swinging+...

Views: 22

Reply to This

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Pig farms report parvovirus type resembling a variant found in fox faeces

Pigs in about 50 farms in the Netherlands have tested positive for a variant of parvovirus that was not found in pigs before. That has been confirmed on about 50 pig farms. That news was made public by the Netherlands animal health service Royal GD.

Alta. farmer stars in new Lay’s chips ad

Chris Perry wants Canadians to know real families are behind the foods they eat

Canadian Pork Sector Urged to Stay Calm Amid U.S. Tariff Rhetoric

As trade tensions escalate between the United States and global partners, Canadian pork producers are being advised to stay grounded and avoid knee-jerk reactions—especially when it comes to retaliatory tariffs.

Monster Corn Yield Projected

US corn yield rises, trade tensions grow, weather remains steady, and cattle markets tighten as the US closes its border to Mexican feeder cattle amid fresh tariff measures.

Federal Leaders Encouraged to Not Overreact to U.S. Tariff Threats

A Senior Risk Management Analyst with HAMS Marketing Services the biggest risk for Canada's pork producers as the result of U.S. tariff threats will come if U.S. pork is hit by retaliatory tariffs.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service