Keeping cubicle conditions tip-top is vital if bacteria levels are to be kept under control and instances of mastitis minimised.

To that end, Northern Ireland firm Quad-X has developed a new cubicle bedder to join its range of livestock-related equipment.

The bedder can be used to spread an even layer of materials – which can include sawdust, wood shavings, sand and chopped straw – in various-sized cubicles. It can be used to add lime to cubicles, too, says the manufacturer, which has been shown to help absorb moisture and reduce bacteria levels.

Being hydraulically driven avoids the need for less maintenance-friendly pto and chain set-ups, and also means the bedder can be attached to telehandlers and tractor loaders as well as front or rear three-point linkages.

The machine’s discharge conveyor has a reversible drive, which allows it to spread both left and right. Quad-X says the capacity of the hopper will initially be 1.2cu m, although further sizes may be available depending on demand.

With horsepower requirements as little as 30hp and working widths from 1.5m, the bedder lends itself to smallscale use. Filling is pretty easy too: the hopper can be tipped to scoop up bedding material to save the need for a telehandler or shovel.

The company says the Quad X can reduce bedding material quantity by as much as 50% compared with manual bedding because of better material distribution, and up to 300 cubicles can be covered in 15 minutes.

A version of the machine is also available for poultry bedding.

It is due to be available in mid March, with price expected to be about £3,200.