Boost cow comfort with the best soft flooring options for sheds

Getting the basics right for your herd starts with the floor. We’ve can honestly say we’ve spent more than 40 years working with British farmers to develop concrete products that withstand the tough conditions on UK farms. Over the years, we’ve seen that good cattle shed flooring doesn’t just help with cow comfort, it also makes a real difference to herd health, productivity, and your bottom line. For example, farms using our solutions have reported up to 25% fewer cases of lameness, directly translating to improved animal welfare and increased productivity.

We’ve watched cattle housing change over the years. It used to be all about making things last, but now farms need floors that are tough and comfortable, easy to keep clean, and good for hoof health, without sacrificing that durability. Here, we’ll look at what matters most in cattle shed flooring, how it affects your animals, and where soft flooring options like our AgriStride™ system come in.

Why flooring is foundational to cow comfort

Flooring isn’t just about structure. It’s about welfare. The surface your cattle stand, walk, and lie on affects everything from hoof health to how much they rest. Even small design choices can have a big impact.

Hard, unyielding floors, particularly bare concrete, can contribute to:

Lameness and claw damage, which often require veterinary intervention costing anywhere between £50 and £150 per case, depending on the severity and treatment required.
Hock lesions and joint strain, which can lead to prolonged recovery times and potential loss of productivity, with treatment expenses ranging from £100 for each occurrence.
Reduced lying time, impacting cows' overall resting behaviour, which can affect milk production negatively and might result in consultations costing upwards of £75.
Slipping and stress during movement can result in injuries that necessitate costly veterinary attention, with fees easily reaching £200 per incident.

With more demands, restrictions, rules and higher expectations from buyers, comfort and welfare simply aren’t extras anymore, they’ve become a key focus when running a functional modern, productive farm.

Soft cattle shed flooring: what options exist?

We work with farms of all shapes, sizes and functions. We've seen a wide range of solutions used to improve cattle shed comfort. To help you decide which option might be best for your needs, consider these guiding questions: What is the size of your herd? How much labour can you allocate to cleaning and maintenance? What are your hygiene goals? Common soft flooring options include:

Deep-bedded straw

Often used in loose housing systems
Provides natural cushioning
High labour and material input
Can be difficult to maintain hygiene

Rubber matting and mattresses

Offers immediate cushioning over concrete
Varies in thickness and softness
Can curl, shift, or degrade over time
Needs regular cleaning to avoid bacterial build-up

Each option has its pros and cons. In our experience, you need to think about how well it lasts, how easy it is to keep clean, how simple it is to look after, and how comfortable it is. That’s why we aim to combine the strength of concrete with the softness cows need. We’ve put a lot of work into getting this balance right.

Balancing strength with sensitivity

We’ve always focused on making concrete that can handle heavy use, whether it’s livestock, machinery, or people. But working closely with farmers has shown us we need to do more.

We’ve listened to the concerns of farmers:

“My cows are slipping on concrete.”
“Rubber mats wear out too quickly.”
“I need a system that cleans easily but keeps my animals comfortable.”

These conversations have changed how we think. Concrete doesn’t have to be hard and uncomfortable. With the right design and materials, we can make floors that work for both cows and farmers.

Our response: introducing hybrid concrete flooring for cattle sheds

After hearing from farmers and seeing new industry standards, we developed AgriStride™. It’s a hybrid concrete floor panel with built-in softness and grip.

AgriStride™ isn’t the only answer out there. It’s just our way of improving standards and meeting the direct need for floors that are comfortable but still tough. A solution cattle farms have been crying out for with every changing welfare demands and legislations.

Why did we choose this route?

Rubber overlays on concrete often separate or degrade
Loose bedding can increase bacteria and labour costs
Farmers need a “fit-and-forget” solution

AgriStride™ is our version of a comfortable, easy-to-clean, and long-lasting floor for cows. We know there are other options available as stated in this article, we regularly talk through all of them with our clients, however we do believe that AgriStride™ represents a significant step forward for cattle flooring.

Design considerations for better cow flooring

From our experience working on farms across the UK, there are a few core principles that every soft flooring system should meet:

Comfort

Flooring should absorb impact and reduce pressure on hooves and joints.

Hygiene

The surface should resist waste absorption and support easy cleaning.
Good drainage prevents slurry build-up and hoof infections.

Safety

Anti-slip surfaces are vital to reduce falls and stress.
Proper footing is especially important in high-traffic areas.

Longevity

Flooring should withstand heavy cattle, scraping machinery, and cleaning equipment.
Replacing floor systems every few years isn’t sustainable.

Common pitfalls to avoid when choosing shed flooring

We see the same mistakes repeatedly. If you're putting in a new shed or changing your flooring, try to avoid these: Do you see slurry pooling? Are mats shifting? Installing rubber mats without securing them properly? Under-estimating cleaning requirements for soft materials? Focusing only on price, not performance over time?

We always tell farmers to look at the full cost over time, not just what they pay at the start. A floor that lasts more than 20 years and helps your animals is an investment.

Our manufacturing expertise built for British farms

Every Wolfenden product is designed, cast, and tested right here in the UK. We understand and directly experience the unique conditions British farmers face, from damp winters to heavy foot traffic and tractor loads. Our precast concrete slats, including our comfort-focused products, are:

Manufactured under rigorous quality control
Customisable to your shed layout
Backed by decades of on-farm experience
Designed to work with UK regulations and welfare standards

Our team regularly collaborates with farm designers, vets, and agricultural engineers to ensure our products not only meet the brief but also exceed expectations.

Customer conversations: what UK farmers are saying

When we visit farms, the feedback speaks volumes. Farmers often tell us that comfort-focused flooring has made a measurable difference in lameness rates, animal behaviour, cleanliness and odour, and labour efficiency.

One farmer in Cumbria told us: “We fitted the hybrid concrete slats in one of our housing areas, and the cows took to it immediately. We’ve noticed fewer injuries and healthier herd foot health. It’s a no-brainer now.”

We like hearing these stories, not just because they back up our products, but because they show how good design can make daily farming simpler and better for everyone, especially the cows.

How to choose the right flooring partner

Whether you choose rubber mats or a hybrid concrete floor like AgriStride™, the key thing is picking the right people to work with.

Look for a partner who:

Understands agricultural challenges
Offers custom-fit solutions, not one-size-fits-all
Can back up claims with real-world results
Has a track record in UK farming

We’re always happy to talk through your needs and give advice on what’s best for your cows and your setup, not just push a product if it isn’t the right solution.

A firm commitment to cattle comfort

Comfort isn’t always about fancy gadgets or the newest materials. It’s about practical solutions that work every day. We pride ourselves on our focus on making cattle shed flooring that lasts, does the job it needs to, and ultimately keeps your herd healthy and happy.

From standard slats to our hybrids, we’re working to give your animals a better base. When cows are comfortable, the whole farm runs better. Thinking about new flooring or planning a shed? Get in touch for a comfort audit or a quick phone consultation to discuss the best options for your farm. Let’s talk about what comfort could look like on your farm and how we can help you achieve it.

FAQs

1. Will I have to rip up my entire floor to install your soft flooring?

AgriStride slats are thicker and manufactured in different lengths to traditional slats, so they are not a direct like-for-like replacement. Because of this, retrofitting them into an existing floor is more complex and may require lifting and modifying sections of the floor. In many cases, they are best suited to new builds or major refurbishments rather than simple drop-in replacements.

2. How long is Wolfenden's flooring expected to last?

Our flooring solutions are designed to endure for decades under demanding farm conditions, requiring only minimal maintenance.

3. What makes Wolfenden’s concrete flooring different from standard options?

Our agricultural flooring is purpose-built, factoring in durability, drainage, and cow comfort. Each piece is precast for precision and reliability.

4. Can you help me with my shed design to meet welfare standards?
Yes, we regularly consult on new builds and refurbishments to ensure alignment with Red Tractor and DEFRA guidelines, helping you plan with welfare standards in mind.