Sand Bedding vs Water Mattresses

Currently our robot barn is split in half between a sand bedded side and a water mattress side. This idea ultimately came to be when a discussion was had about the challenges of maintaining sand bedding, so the idea of water mattresses surfaced. After touring many different barns and facilities around the state of Wisconsin, the decision was made to try water mattresses in our barn. However, we did not want to fully devote to it, as our cows have never been on water mattresses and we weren't sure how they would transition to a completely different barn and bedding style all at once. At the end of the day, we wanted to see the data our cows would produce between water mattresses and sand beds.​

The cows are divided up between the four pens with no rhyme or reason. This allows both the waterbeds and the sand bedding a fighting chance to achieve the highest milk production over time. We want our cows to have the comfort and cleanliness we strive to achieve. In the long run, whichever side achieves the highest milk production and our cows are happiest on, is what Draeger Dairy will ultimately convert the other half of the barn to.