A new hybrid cattle slat, which is 50% rubber and 50% concrete, has been launched in Ireland by Wright Quarry Products from Co. Monaghan.

The ‘Wright AB ECO-Floor’ was officially launched at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

The ECO-Floor is designed to provide a high-grip surface, split evenly across profiled concrete and rubber with 40mm openings, according to the manufacturer.

It is hoped that the combination will provide increased cow-comfort and activity level, whilst also causing optimum wear to the cows’ hooves.

The hybrid slat has been licenced from a European counterpart and will be manufactured at Wright’s headquarters in Co. Monaghan.

The product has reportedly been installed in over 700 dairy farms across the EU already, catering for over 60,000 animals in the process, the manufacturer added.

The Monaghan-based company hopes the partnership will be an “ideal fit” going forward for the family-run business.

Commenting on the product launch, Wright Quarry Product’s Business Development Executive, Stephen Wright, said: “We are really excited to be bringing a new, innovative, yet proven product to the Irish market.

The wheels started turning on this project over four years ago and we are confident the ECO-Floor will deliver the efficiencies that our customers seek and require as part of their successful farm business.

The floor surface is profiled, “offering excellent manure drainage” as a result, the manufacturer added.

Meanwhile, the rubber inserts are securely protected within the concrete slat. This is meant to allow surface scrapers to “pass unobstructed and effectively across the ECO-Floor”.