The Bovine Bugle

Nothing like new sand to make a cow's day

Back in early September, we finally finished filling the freestalls with sand. The last ten stalls had gone unfilled while we were busy doing other things. But the cows had knocked down the fence in the barnyard that was keeping them out of the remaining sand pile, and they were starting to make a mess of it. This got us motivated to get the rest of the sand into the stalls.

It took about an hour to bring the sand in with the tractor and then shovel it into the stalls. It makes for a good work out on a nice hot day. As soon as the stalls were done, the cows were right there checking out our handywork. In the summer we have just sand in the stalls because it keeps the cows cooler. Once we get into the fall we put sawdust on top of the sand. This helps keep sand in the stalls, helps keep the cows cleaner as their use of the stalls increases, and it helps keep the cows warmer and more comfortable. Unless the stalls are showing a need for sand by early November, we probably won't have to put in sand until next spring. With sawdust so expensive, and hard to get through the winter, keeping the stalls well sanded makes the sawdust supply on the farm go farther.

--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont

ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE
Got a question for Jonathan?
Send it in using the comment feature below.

Subscribe by using the box at the upper left.

Love this blog? We have three more. Check them out at Stonyfield Farm blogs.

Posted by Blogger Chris at October 21, 2005 07:25 PM