1st October 2025
Industry-led welfare strategy highlights key role of Galebreaker product on-farm
The Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy was launched in 2023 by the Ruminant Health and Welfare group and supported by a number of industry leaders and organisations.
The five-year strategy outlined six key areas of focus for the sector going forward:
- Thriving cows
- Healthy feet
- Comfortable cows
- Appropriately nourished cows
- Healthy udders
- Positive welfare
A review of the strategy’s progress published in September 2025 showcases evidence-based milestones across the six welfare goals and shows how vets, farmers and industry stakeholders are working together to move the dairy supply chain in the right direction.
Reporting on progress made under the ‘comfortable cows’ welfare goal, the review includes a case study which describes how Galebreaker’s the installation of a positive pressure ventilation tube has improved cow welfare on-farm.
Comfortable cows
The ‘comfortable cows’ welfare goal outlined in the strategy, focuses on maximising cow comfort in housing and at pasture.
The Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy Progress Report highlights the importance of dairy cows’ environments in supporting their health and welfare, with temperature and humidity levels noted as a key environmental factor.
Impact of temperature and humidity on cow comfort
Temperature and humidity can significantly affect cow comfort by triggering detrimental behavioural and physiological changes.
When the temperature and humidity in a shed reaches a temperature-humidity index (THI) level of 68, for example, cows can start to demonstrate signs of heat stress – an uncomfortable condition for the cow and one which can negatively impact milk yield, fertility and wellbeing.
Signs which may prove uncomfortable include:
- Reduced feed intake
- Panting
- Sweating
- Lying down for less time
Read more about the signs of heat stress and ways to mitigate the risk here.
The challenge
Galebreaker customer, Russell Morgan, featured as a case study in the Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy Progress Report.
Russell farms a herd of 330 cows in South Wales, calves all year round, with the farm producing an average of 11,000 litres of milk per year.
The farm has focused on the ‘comfortable cows’ welfare goal – prioritising foot health. The farm’s enrolment on AHDB’s Healthy Feet Programme identified heat stress as a main factor contributing to increased lameness cases in the herd, due to cows spending more time on their feet.
The solution
To mitigate the risk of heat stress, and therefore to improve overall herd foot health and cow comfort, the farm considered options available to improve the housing design.
In the report, Russell states: “Having identified heat stress as a key challenge for the herd, we investigated different ways of reducing this in the most sustainable and cost-effective way.”
The farm has improved natural ventilation and has been working with the team at Galebreaker to install tailored positive pressure tube ventilation (PPTV) systems in the cattle sheds.
The installation of these PPTV systems, along with other improvements and the farm’s proactive approach to detection and treatment, has led to optimal cow comfort and sustained improvements in foot health.
Read the full case study on page 21 of the report.
PPTV systems
Galebreaker’s PPTV systems are designed to improve air quality in livestock housing by removing moisture, airborne pathogens and excess heat – helping to reduce the impact of heat stress in cattle.
The mechanical ventilation systems introduce fresh air into the livestock building and disperse it over cubicles or pens – providing a cooling effect to maximise ventilation and improve cow welfare.
Systems are available for both youngstock (VentTube Fresh) and older livestock (VentTube Cool).
For more details on how Galebreaker’s systems can support cow comfort on your farm, contact our expert team.
