Essential Rubber Products for Modern Farms

Prioritising livestock welfare is always a must on modern farms, especially in light of the recent extreme weather conditions that have impacted operations. Minimising health problems and promoting natural behaviour is the key to farm animal welfare in the 21st century, but the majority of UK farmers say climate change is negatively impacting their efforts.

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A report by Farmlytics reveals unpredictable weather patterns in Spring and Autumn are affecting the agricultural sector in several ways, including restricting the growth of crops and fodder in conditions such as droughts and sub-zero temperatures. This leads to increased feed costs for livestock and puts animal wellbeing at a greater risk, particularly for newborn lambs.

It also means potential shortages of water, both for irrigating crops and drinking. Snow and floods have caused disruption to milk collections, while unseasonal weather has led to longer feeding periods, a shift towards winter cropping and later lambing times.

Future of farming under threat

The first Food Security Report carried out in the UK in 2021 suggested climate change and other environmental issues, such as soil degradation, created the biggest risks to the future of farming. In England and Wales alone, farmers incurred losses of £1.2 billion per year as a result of problems caused by environmental changes.

The cost-of-living crisis in 2022 highlighted the issues of rapidly rising food prices, according to the World Economic Forum, with poor crop conditions threatening future food security and farmers’ livelihoods. Unfortunately, extreme weather events such as severe storms, flooding and droughts are becoming more frequent, impacting agriculture even further.

Keeping livestock safe

There has never been a more crucial time to keep livestock safe and well, as farmers can’t afford any more losses financially. In addition, more emphasis is placed on animal welfare than ever before, thanks to the sector working in liaison with the RSPCA to ensure the best conditions are provided.

Installing rubber matting in livestock housing can help increase animal welfare by providing a comfortable and hygienic flooring solution that combats the risks of freezing and wet weather conditions. Benefits of rubber livestock matting include its ability to provide a firm but soft surface underfoot, contributing to reduced injuries and the improved overall health of farm animals. Available in a large selection of designs and sizes, it offers something for every budget and provides durable rubber flooring for many different agricultural buildings.

Cow matting

Coruba’s wide range of products include high quality, washable cow mats that will keep cattle enclosures clean and safe. Studies show this can reduce stress and have a positive effect on their health. The firmness of a rubber floor is kinder to their joints, encouraging them to move around freely, while the anti-slip properties prevent more serious accidents from occurring.

Thanks to high impact resistance and durability, the matting can withstand years of heavy footfall, protecting the ground underneath, as well as your herd’s health. Designed for use in both sheds and fields, it ensures enclosures are easier to maintain, as the mats can be sprayed or hosed clean – built in channels carry liquids and waste away.

Stable mats

Maintaining a clean and dry environment for horses and other animals is possible thanks to Coruba’s rubber matting for stables, which saves on bedding costs. Aiding animal health and comfort, rubber mats on top of the concrete stable floor provide insulation and comfort. You will need only around 20% of your normal bedding, so it pays for itself over time.

The ultimate cushioned protection for horses and livestock is achieved with our EVA stable mats, comprising 6ft x 4ft linkable lightweight mats in various thicknesses. Other designs include extra heavy-duty, linkable, animal bed mats with a non-slip finish, superb cushioning and exceptional insulation properties, providing a hardwearing floor covering that won’t move once installed.

Rubber stable mats are easy to clean and also lend themselves to non-standard layouts by using multiple pieces of matting with different dimensions to fit even the most awkward spaces.

Rubber seals

Rubber also has other uses in farm buildings, including barns and storage units. Rubber seals for improved insulation and weatherproofing around windows and doors provide a barrier against harsh weather, protecting not only livestock, but also animal feed and equipment. They also enhance energy efficiency and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

As every farmer knows, regular checks and maintenance of rubber products will help to uphold livestock welfare standards, as taking proactive measures ensures farm animals are kept comfortable and safe all year round.