Page 40 - Microsoft Word -Cow Book 10-06-09 final update.doc

Item 4r

COWYARD

REQUIREMENT: The cowyard shall be graded and drained and shall have no
standing pools of water or accumulations of organic wastes. Provided, that in
loafing or lactating animal housing areas, lactating animal droppings and soiled
bedding shall be removed, or clean bedding added, at sufficiently frequent
intervals to prevent the soiling of the lactating animal’s udder and flanks. Cooling
ponds shall be allowed provided they are constructed and maintained in a
manner that does not result in the visible soiling of flanks, udders, bellies, and
tails of lactating animals exiting the pond. Waste feed shall not be allowed to
accumulate. Manure packs shall be properly drained and shall provide a
reasonably firm footing. Swine shall be kept out of the cowyard.

Public Health Reason: The cowyard is interpreted to be that enclosed or
unenclosed area in which the lactating animals are apt to congregate,
approximately adjacent to the barn, including animal-housing areas. This area is;
therefore, particularly apt to become filthy with manure droppings, which may
result in the soiling of the lactating animal’s udders and flanks. The grading and
drainage of the cowyard, as far as practicable, is required because wet conditions
are conducive to fly breeding and make it difficult to keep manure removed and
the lactating animals clean. If manure and barn sweepings are allowed to
accumulate in the cowyard, fly breeding will be promoted, and the lactating
animals, because of their habit of lying down, will be more apt to have manure-
soiled udders. Lactating animals should not have access to piles of manure, in
order to avoid the soiling of udders and the spread of diseases among dairy
animals.

Inspectional areas of emphasis or special problem areas may be:

1. Large piles of manure accessible to milking herd in the cowyard.

2. Low, poorly drained areas in the milking herd cowyard in which pools of
surface drainage and liquid waste accumulate.

3. Soggy, muddy low areas around and adjacent to the milking herd
watering troughs.

4. Buildup of manure underneath and along side of the corral fences.

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