• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Sunday, May 27, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Robin Shreeves

Waterbed-sleeping cows make healthier milk

With waterbeds cushioning their joints, these cows produce better milk, according to Ohio farmers.

Tue, Jan 24 2012 at 10:39 AM EST

Cows on waterbeds
Cow waterbeds. They’re for real. In Ohio, Conrad’s Dairy Farm has been tucking their cows in on Dual Chamber Cow Waterbeds, and the farmers say the cows are happier, healthier and better milk producers.
 
USA Today reports the cow waterbeds were installed at the dairy farm last March. Since then “the quality of the cows' milk improved and the farm was able to lower its somatic cell count to about 100,000 cells per milliliter, compared with 150,000 to 200,000 cells per milliliter before the waterbeds were installed.”
 
Why is that important? Somatic cells are white blood cells that increase when a cow has an infection caused by a pathogenic bacteria, often resulting in mastitis. Mastitis is a sometimes-fatal inflammation of udder tissue. Cows with mastitis are unhealthy and often in severe pain.
 
In addition to the physical problems that a cow experiences with mastitis, milk from a cow with mastitis is lower quality. There is a decline in potassium, lactoferrin, and the protein casein in milk from cows with mastitis.
 
What about the cost of the waterbeds? Conrad Dairy Farm paid about $55,000 for the beds that pamper the 240 dairy cows. The owners spend another $15,000 for the concrete base.
 
Eventually, brothers Richard and David Conrad believe the waterbeds will pay for themselves. They save $6,000 a year on the sawdust that used to serve as cow bedding. They also charge more for the better quality milk.
 
I’m sure like me, when you saw the headline, you laughed. The thought of cows lounging around on waterbeds is funny. The end result, though, should be taken seriously. Cows are happier and healthier. Milk is better quality. And the process eventually pays for itself. 
Previous Post
Chinese New Year recipe: Stir Fry with Dragon Sauce
   Next Post
Watch 'Portlandia': No Grocery Bag
You might also like:
Related Topics: Animals, Farming & Agriculture, Food, Health & Well Being

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Robin Shreeves

Stay-at-home mom on eco-friendly food options.

RSS feedMore about Robin

Recent Posts

  • 5 dairy recipes for Shavuot with local and seasonal ingredients
  • 5 recipes for watercress
  • Most people want equal access for all to good food
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Our Corporate Responsibility Commitment

Clearly, companies succeed or fail based on their ability to profitably sell goods... more >

Embracing Sustainable Energy

Despite a rainy day, Friday, February 24, 2012 was a day to celebrate solar power... more >

Crazy for Coconuts

Consumers have been going crazy over Scotts® Turf Builder® EZ Seed® and Miracle-... more >

Working Together

Healthy, sustainable lawns and landscaping are essential to protecting our rivers... more >

Sustainability Report

Scotts Miracle-Gro 2011 Sustainability Report more >
Industry-Leading Lawn Care & Gardening Advice

Robin's BLOGROLL

Follow NathanGreen Fork Blog
Twilight EarthCook Local
BittenMore Hip than Hippie
John and Lisa are Eating in S. JerseyGrass Stain Guru
The Atlantic Food ChannelThe "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS