In Slovenia, dairy cows are still predominantly kept in tie stalls. Free stall systems with cubicles are becoming increasingly popular. Farmers have to make an important decision about choosing a suitable housing system for their dairy cows. This decision has a major impact on cow productivity, milk quality, health, comfort, reproductive ability and longevity of the dairy cows as well as the farm's income. Farmers who have old barns are often criticised. The public would like to see greater consideration given to animal welfare. New innovative housing systems for dairy cows and young animals place more emphasis on animal comfort, welfare and health. The innovations aim to allow the animals to move freely around the barn and express their natural behaviour. Such stables have a larger lying area based on organic or inorganic material. Innovative housing systems such as compost bedded-pack barns and high welfare floor barns show promising results, but have not yet been sufficiently researched. With suitable barns, we can improve animal welfare and reduce ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. We are aware of innovations in this area, such as the use of a cow toilet and the reuse of solid manure. In the case of young cattle, most of the problems and criticisms are due to the immediate separation of the calf from the mother. For this reason, some farmers are testing systems in which the calf should remain with its mother for at least a few hours or several days after birth. In Slovenia, too, farmers are deciding to invest in innovative solutions that offer the animals more comfort and have a positive impact on the environment with lower emissions.
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