Feeding time at a dairy farmObservations from a Miner Institute report reveal dairy cows prefer certain stalls more than others. While the information might not be surprising to dairy cow enthusiasts, it could lend itself to a more strategic approach to stall maintenance. Cows exhibit a strong preference for stalls near the end of a section of stalls or closest to the feed alley rather than the back side of a pen.

Additionally, regardless of health, cows strongly preferred eating at feedbunk sections nearest the pen exit gate in the evening hours but not at night. This information can help dairy producers to alter a cow’s day according to pen preferences. The Miner Institute has observed a 40% reduction in time spent ruminating in the stall when subordinate cows were occupying stalls preferred by dominant cows.

Read more on the study from the Miner Institute here.