SILAGE PRODUCTS
ANIMAL COMFORT PRODUCTS
FEED INGREDIENTS
MILKING EQUIPMENT
Slatted Rubber Trials
Trial Data
Durapak Slatted Rubber
It is widely known for years that cattle housed on slatted rubber mats have been shown to gain weight faster than animals housed on bare concrete slats. Teagasc carried out an intensive trial comparing 360 Beef Bullocks using; 3 different Slatted Rubbers, out-wintering Pads and bare concrete slats. The results from the Teagasc Trial on Slatted Rubber for 2006 & 2007 are summarised in the bar charts below. The Durapak mat is colour coded BLUE. Mat B & C are two well known competitor products. Durapak Slatted Rubber came out on top with 14kgs of extra carcass weight over and above bare concrete slats and together with a higher carcass classification was worth between €45 - €55 per head of animal.
Picture Sequence shows the ease with which the Durapak Slatted Rubber Mat
is positioned onto the slat
*Durapak Slatted Rubber's unique 3 piece patented design allows for greater comfort and enhanced performance for the animals. The double anchoring system is the ultimate in terms of a secure installation.
Study 1 & 2 Combined - Finishing Beef Steers
*Preliminary Statistical Data as displayed by Teagasc at Grange Open Day on 8th May 2008
Animals: Continental Crossbred Steers
(n = 72 animals per treatment; mean initial live weight = 538 (s.d. 42.2 kg)
Space allowance: 2.73 m2/head - slats, slats covered with mats; 12.00m2/head - OWP's
Other Points
| Carcass fatness: | No difference |
| Carcass conformation: | OWP & Durapak > Slats |
| Hoof lesions: | Mats > Slats & OWP |
| Lameness: | None recorded |
| Weight of hides: | OWP > Slats & Mats |
Study 1 & 2 Combined - Finishing Beef Steers
*Preliminary Statistical Data as displayed by Teagasc at Grange Open Day on 8th May 2008
Animals: 72 Continental Crossbred Beef Bulls
(n = 18 bulls per treatment; mean initial live weight = 442 (s.d. 44.4) kg)
Space allowance: 2.98m2/head
More €€€€€ with Durapak
Compare the benefits against concrete:
| Concrete | Durapak | Mat B | Mat C | |
| Additional Carcass Weight Per Head Kilograms |
- | 14 | 3 | 9 |
| Total Carcass Weight Kilo |
372 | 386 | 375 | 381 |
| Official Steer Price For R5's Week Ending 17.08.08 IFJ Cents Per Kilograms Ex.Vat |
324.3 | 324.3 | 324.3 | 324.3 |
| Bonus For Higher Carcass Confirmation e.g. R5 - R4H |
- | 1.5 | - | - |
| Total Value Per Head € |
€1206.40 | €1257.59 | €1216.13 | €1235.58 |
| Extra Value Per Head Over Concrete € |
- | €51.19 | €9.73 | €29.18 |
| Value Per Pen of 10 Cattle |
- | €511.90 | €97.30 | €291.80 |
SIZES OF DURAPAK SLATTED RUBBER
| Code | Size | Gap |
| C05 C05 |
125/6’0” 38mm 125/7’0” 38mm |
45mm 45mm |
| C11 C11 C11 C11 |
140/5’3” 38mm 140/6’3” 38mm 140/6’0” 38mm 140/7’0” 38mm |
45mm 45mm 45mm 45mm |
| C21 C21 C21 C22 C22 |
150N/5’3” 35mm 150N/6’3” 35mm 150N/6’9” 35mm 150W/5’3” 38mm 150W/6’3” 38mm |
42mm 42mm 42mm 45mm 45mm |
| C31 C31 C32 C32 |
156N/5’3” 35mm 156N/6’3” 35mm 156W/5’3” 38mm 156W/6’3” 38mm |
42mm 42mm 45mm 45mm |
| C36 C36 |
160W/6’0” 38mm 160W/7’0” 38mm |
45mm 45mm |
| C41 C41 C41 |
165N/5’3” 35mm 165N/6’3” 35mm 165N/7’3” 35mm |
42mm 42mm 42mm |
| C42 | 165W/7’3” 38mm | 45mm |
| C51 C51 |
170N/5’3” 35mm 170N/6’3” 35mm |
42mm 42mm |
| C52 C52 C52 |
170W/5’3” 38mm 170W/6’3” 38mm 170W/7’3” 38mm |
45mm 45mm 45mm |
|
C61 |
180/5’3” 38mm 180/6’3” 38mm 180/7’3” 38mm |
45mm 45mm 45mm |
To ensure the correct size of Slatted Rubber, you must:
- Measure the width of the rib (eg. 156mm)
- Measure the width of the gap (eg. 38mm)
- Measure the length of the slat (eg. 12.5ft)
- Count the number of ribs to be covered (eg. 22 per pen)
- Measure the length and width of concrete apron area
Suitability Of Durapak Slatted Rubber
Durapak Slatted Rubber is suitable for use on the following slats:
|
|
|
The Department of Agriculture & Food have a list of approved slat manufacturers. The most popular brands are listed above, however if your slats are manufactured by a company not on the list, please contact us for further information.
What farmers say
"We found Durapak Slatted Rubber easy to install and versatile in use. We used it in a creep area for calves and found it saved us a lot in straw costs over the winter months. We were able to also use it for fattening beef bulls in the summer and we found it increased daily liveweight gains and we had virtually no lameness with the animals"
- Derek Dunn, Strabane, Co Tyrone
"We have experienced a big reduction in lameness in beef bullocks; while the animals might be a wee bit dirtier, they are more comfortable and perform a lot better"
John Neill, Carbery, Co Kildare
"We are extremely happy with the performance of our fattening dry cows since we installed Durapak Slatted Rubber – the comfort is unreal"
- Donal & Martin Vaughan, Broadford, Co Clare
"Since we installed Durapak Slatted Rubber, we have found a lot less stiffness and animals are more comfortable and find it much easier to get up"
- Alwyn Davies, Aberystwth, Wales