Abstract
The objective was to determine effects of interlocking rubber floor matting in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities on cattle locomotion. In experiment 1, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (N = 206; BW = 228 ± 34 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 32 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: new Max Grip Animat matting (MG), new Animat Pebble matting (PEB), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD), and no matting/concrete slating (CONC). Steers were fed a common diet for 209 d with an average stocking density of 3.70 m2 per steer. Locomotion scores were assigned by two trained staff using a 0–3 scale of the Step-Up® Locomotion Scoring System (Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN) throughout both experiments. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.88) observed. Treatment affected (P < 0.01) locomotion scores with CONC being the greatest and MG, PEB, and OLD being lesser and not different from each other. Locomotion scores also increased (P < 0.01) over time. In experiment 2, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (n = 189; BW = 352 ± 43 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 21 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: new Animat Pebble matting (PEB2), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD2), or no matting/concrete slating (CONC2). Steers were fed a common diet for 152 d with an average stocking density of 2.64 m2 per steer. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.42) observed. However, both treatment and day affected (P ≤ 0.02) locomotion scores. Steers on CONC2 had the greatest locomotion score, while PEB2 and OLD2 were not different from each other. Locomotion scores were the greatest on d 152. Overall, results suggest new and old rubber floor matting improved locomotion scores of feedlot steers in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities.
Keywords: rubber matting, locomotion score, slatted facilities