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Alternatives to Straw

farmer2018 · 2021-10-19 21:06:35

With the price of straw going up what are people using as alternatives to straw for bedding sucklers? Sand, wood, peat, rushes. Is there a better alternative than straw?

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#32 24-10-2021 10:32pm

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https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068822#Comment_118068822

No problems with draughts as we lay on a thick layer the first time. Large square bales of either winter or spring barley are best as the square sections fit better otherwise roll out bales. We leave it in place and spread lime on it before adding fresh straw each time. Clean it out with the tractor and buckrake or powerbox. It comes out fairly easy and you can see the lime in the layers. The lie backs have to be done by hand but wouldn't have the same depth of straw that the slats would have. I also use plastic pallets with holes in the top of them (one per pen) under the water drinkers and it saves the straw from getting wet.

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