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Victorian dairy farmer John Van Beek believes the Compedes Rubber Floor Matting from Lely will revolutionise the industry.
Originally from Holland, John Van Beek has been farming in some of Victoria's leading dairy country at Princetown for more than 30 years.
Similar to many other dairy farmers in the area John believes it is critical to be 'on the ball' with the latest technology and production practices in Australia and overseas.
''I have been monitoring the practices of European dairy farmers for many years, receiving agricultural journals each fortnight,'' he said.
''Many of their ideas and techniques are innovative and are proving to increase their production levels significantly. We need to stay in touch to lift our own production levels.''
One of these that really caught John's attention was the change from traditional concrete flooring to rubber matting.
The rubber matting is used around the dairy in all areas, where the cows walked on concrete in the past. This has proven to largely eliminate claw problems and stress as well as animal injuries. Hoof-trimming requirements diminish because cows will stand firmer reducing bleedings in their soles.
''Basically everyone in Europe now has moved away from concrete flooring and it has proven to be very successful,'' he said.
After further investigation of the product in Australia, John believed Lely's Compedes Rubber Floor Matting was the best on the market.
According to John, not only was the rubber matting of the highest quality, the research completed by Lely on the product was excellent.
Overall the Compedes matting proved that the changed animal behavior was distinctive. The skid resistance was good and there was increased animal activity. The walking sequence was speedy and more relaxed. The research also proved to have a positive influence on the reduction of mechanic-traumatic injury.
Recently installing the product, John has already noticed a significant change in the behavior of the stock, particularly his young stock.
''The matting was easy to install myself, and looks very durable '' I am hoping to get 30 years out of the product. The animals love to walk on it, and the young stock are less nervous coming into the shed '' it really is quite brilliant,'' he said.
John is now planning to install more of the Compedes matting in the near future.