Optional in short stalls, required in correctly sized stalls!
The resting space in front of the cow is defined by a brisket locator, the purpose of which is to assist in the alignment of the cow when lying in the stall so that manure lands in the alley rather than on top of the stall. When located too far from the rear edge of the curb, cows will lie too far forward and soil the rear of the bed. When located too near to the rear curb, cows will tend to lie more diagonally across the stall.
The normal sequence of movements when a cow rises is shown below taken from Schnitzer (1971).
The lying down movements and rising movements of the cow showing the forward lunge and bob of the head as well as the forward thrust of the forelimb (from Schnitzer, 1971)
As the cow rises, note how the forelimb is thrust forward to support the weight of the cow. We cannot obstruct this movement. Brisket locators must therefore be no higher than 4 inches (10 cm) above the stall surface so that the cow can get her leg over the top of the locator. An obstruction higher than this forces the cow to get up by thrusting her forelimb directly downwards rather than out in front of her, making rising more difficult.
Note how this cow is able to plant her front leg forward over the top of the brisket locator in this correctly designed stall
High brisket locators tend to force the cow to lie diagonally across the stall to create more room for the forelimb thrust when rising. Cows also appear to like to lie with one or more forelimbs outstretched, which high brisket locators prevent from happening.
Because of these problems, some people have recommended the removal of brisket locators. Behavioral research shows that cows prefer stalls without brisket locators to stalls with an 8 inch (20 cm) high wooden locator. In short stalls where the cow has little room to front lunge, brisket locators can be removed with beneficial results. However, in larger stalls, brisket locators are essential!
Brisket Locator Check List:
- Required in correctly designed stalls
- No higher than 4 inches (10 cm) above bed surface
- Wood, pipe, pillow, or concrete slope options
- Lower divider rail mounts need to be adjustable
Whatever brisket locator design is chosen, it should be smooth and rounded, and no higher than 4 inches (10 cm) above the stall surface in a mattress stall or no more than 4 inches (10 cm) above the top of the rear curb in a deep loose bedded stall.
The traditional brisket ‘board’ was a 2 by 10-inch (5 by 25 cm) board which was sometimes used as a form to pour the concrete curb. Wooden briskets may still be used provided they are correctly located, as described above.
Other options include a plastic ‘Poly-Pillow.’ This design is 5.25 inches (13 cm) high and must be mounted below the final level of the stall bed for correct placement.
Round PVC or fiberglass pipes have also been utilized with various fixing designs. Cows may lie over the top of these smooth rounded designs creating problems with cow placement. It is very common to see the locator mounted too high where the brisket locator is fixed to the lower divider rail. Care should therefore be taken when using this kind of fixing to make sure that it is adjustable. The lower divider rail mounts will also require some maintenance as they will rust in sand bedding and loosen over time.
A plastic pipe brisket locator mounted to the lower divider rail. Make sure that the mounts can extend to correctly position both the lower divider rail and the brisket locator, as shown in this stall:
A correctly mounted ‘Poly-Pillow’ with the vertical height from the mattress surface to the top of the brisket locator measuring 4 inches (10 cm). This allows the cow to pass her front leg over the top of the brisket locator when she rises in the stall.
Recently, an alternative brisket locator design has been developed. The design utilizes concrete, which slopes gently from the target locator position up to a height of 3.5 inches (9 cm) above the rear curb. The slope is distinct enough to position the cow while being shallow enough for the cow to thrust her foot securely against it when rising. This concrete may also be used to anchor vertical posts used for the divider loop mounting.
Instructions for Installing a Brisket Slope
- Pour a rear curb 8 to 9 inches high (20 to 23 cm), and level across the top or slope slightly towards the bedded area. The curb need only be 6 to 8 inches wide (15 to 20 cm), but NO WIDER.
- Decide how much space the cow requires for resting length based on her body size. Measure forward from the rear point of the curb. We suggest the following range:
| Body Weight (lbs) | Resting Length (inches) |
|---|---|
| 1400 | 68 |
| 1600 | 70 |
| 1800 | 72 |
- Identify the starting and ending point of the brisket slope arc by marking two points:
- Identify the point 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the highest point of the rear curb
- Identify the highest point of the brisket slope 3.5 inches (9 cm) above the highest point of the rear curb
- Draw a smooth arc connecting the two points from A to B shallow enough for a cow to safely land her front foot on the slope as she rises in the stall. The distance between A and B should be about 10 inches (25 cm). Draw this out on the concrete wall of a cross alley or an end wall.
- Locate a wooden form to create the vertical brisket edge and hold the concrete in place as it is poured. Make sure to measure the correct distance from the rear curb – measure to the concrete, not the form!
- Create a wooden form to shape the concrete as it is poured into the brisket area using the wall drawing as a template. Drag the form across the concrete as it is poured to shape the brisket.
- Paddle the concrete into a smooth slope before it sets and set any stall divider supports that need to be anchored.
- Either bed with deep sand, or fit a PackMat™ with the upper edge of the Pasture Mat™ mattress pad 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) below the inside corner of the rear curb with a 1 to 2-inch (2.5 to 5 cm) rise to the brisket slope.
Correct positioning with a concrete slope brisket locator
The concrete slope allows the cow to plant her forelimb as she rises
