Many studies have been published on the positive effect cubicles have on the productivity of a dairy cow.However, there is little research on their role in youngstock housing. Livestock building designer Paul Bartholomew believes cubicles score highly when compared with other housing options."They provide the most streamlined process of bringing heifers into the milking herd," he suggests.Improving herd retention ratesA lactating heifer that refuses to lie in cubicles will often exit the herd before she reaches the midway point in her second lactation - the breakeven point on rearing costs.
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