On the main road in Hoornsterzwaag lies dairy farm Hoanster, a real family business run by Bas and Wytske Vernooij-Bijstra. Together with their four sons, a permanent employee and six milkers, they take care of their 220 dairy and veal cows every day. Three times a day, the cows are milked in the 28-stall carousel indoor milking parlour. The cows give an average of 12,800 kg of milk per year.
Sons Mats and Rein Vernooij
Recently, the family decided to renovate part of the barn. The old Meadow mattresses, which had been used for more than 20 years, were in need of replacement. In addition, they wanted to offer their cows more comfort while lying down. They chose to install Meadow Valley mattresses in the cubicles.
"Deep litter was too much work for us. We wanted cubicle bedding that is easy to keep clean and at the same time comfortable for the cows." says Bas Vernooij. "With the Meadow Valley mattresses, we only have to go over them once with the litter machine to clean them and no moisture remains. As a result, we have clean cubicles three times a day in a simple way."
The slope of the Meadow Valley mattress ensures that dirt and moisture run off the mattress. In addition, the back is fixed, preventing dirt from accumulating under the mattress.
But it did not stop there. In the renovated part of the barn, the cubicles were also addressed. The cubicles were widened from 1.08 metres to 1.20 metres. In addition, the head tube of the Comfort cubicles was raised. Together with the waved neckbar, this provides more space when lying down and standing up.
"The cows lie nicer in the cubicles, they now lie completely free and not against anything" says Bas Vernooij. "The head tube is also higher now, this allows more space for the head when lying down and standing up". And the result? "Since the renovation, the cows lie in the cubicles more often, after milking they go straight to the cubicles to lie down" says Bas Vernooij.
The wider cubicles with the waved neckbars
The family uses both Baseline and Highline feed fronts from Spinder. The Baseline feed fronts have been used for years and are well liked. The Highline feed fronts are slightly newer, but are preferred. "We can close the Highline safety feed fronts in one operation, which is really handy!" says Bas Vernooij.
Farm characteristics
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