At Cattle Care, we've seen firsthand how valuable crowd gates can be in optimizing cow flow and reducing manual labor on farms. But despite their clear benefits, these systems come with a set of practical challenges. If used incorrectly, crowd gates can cause more harm than good, impacting cow comfort, behavior, and overall welfare.
Carolina Pinzon, a Dairy Outreach Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has identified three of the most common mistakes farmers make when using crowd gates, along with strategies for preventing them.
1. Overcrowding the holding area
Overcrowding might happen from time to time, and that’s understandable. But when cows are kept in tight spaces for too long, it can negatively affect their health, milk production, and overall welfare. This becomes even more serious during warmer months, when cows produce more body heat and need proper airflow.
Common signs of overcrowding: raised heads, difficulty standing squarely, and visible restlessness. These issues often occur when the crowd gate is pushed too far forward, putting pressure on the cows.
To mitigate this, ensure a balance between parlor and pen sizes, aiming for cows to spend no more than an hour away from their pens during each milking session. Provide at least 20 square feet per cow in holding areas. If necessary, divide large pens into smaller groups to reduce holding time. Retracting the crowd gate can offer cows more space, alleviating short-term overcrowding.
2. Being careless with gate operation
Dairy cows are generally gentle but can be slow to move. This does not justify using force. Rapid gate movements or applying electricity can induce unnecessary stress and fear.
Pinzon emphasizes calm and gentle handling. Guide cows to the parlor without pressure or haste. Move the crowd gate forward only after cows have exited one side of the parlor, adjusting regularly to accommodate the changing number of animals and available space. Automating gate movements in sync with exit gates can reduce misuse.
Maintain at least a three-foot distance between the gate and the cows to prevent pressing against them. Utilize sound cues, like bells, to train cows to move forward, rather than relying solely on gate movement. If the gate approaches too closely, retract it to give cows more space before resuming movement. These practices foster a stress-free environment for both cows and workers.
3. Entering the holding area to push cows
While crowd gates are designed to move cows safely toward the parlor, employees entering the holding pen to push cows can cause unnecessary stress and risk injury.
Pinzon underscores the importance of training employees on proper cow handling and correct crowd gate usage. Avoid entering the holding area to chase cows; instead, maintain a calm and consistent environment.
Except when loading the last cows of a pen or fresh cows, keep the door from the parlor pit to the holding area closed during most of the milking process. This serves as a physical reminder to discourage workers from entering the holding area. Regular maintenance of crowd gates, prompt reporting of issues, and swift resolution by management are crucial for proper gate function.
By recognizing and addressing these common mistakes, dairy farms can enhance cow welfare, ensure employee safety, and improve operational efficiency. Regular maintenance, clear protocols, and proper training are key to preventing overcrowding and maintaining a calm environment for both cows and workers.
