This article was #1 in PDmag's Top 5 most-well read New Technology articles in 2010. Summary: The Greenfreestall, a division of Tags4All Global Inc., has created a freestall structure that is adjustable, movable and, most importantly, comfortable for cows. The sides of the design are made of composite flex piping and allow for increased flexibility. In addition, the structure adjusts in the following ways: • the height of the plastic tubes • the height of the neck bracket • the length of the neck bracket • the width of the bed Because this article was so popular, we asked John Moses of Greenfreestalls some follow-up questions:

In order to do a good job of cleaning, we calf raisers have to learn how to do each step properly. In addition to knowing how to do the job, what else is needed? Proper water, chemicals and supplies! Water First, adequate water is a must. When too little water is available, we are tempted to skip steps. We fail to rinse equipment before washing. We fail to do an acid rinse after washing.

If your implement isn’t working, some people want to unhook the coupler and work the remote levers under the implement housing while looking directly into it.

Providing a dry comfortable resting area for dairy cattle is essential to their health.

Machinery ownership and operation is a major crop and livestock production cost.

Hydraulic pump = $600 to $2,400 Control valves = $400 to $600 Cylinders = $200 to $500 Clean the system with labor and repairs = $1,500-$4,000 Transmission rear axle and other related parts; overhaul parts and labor = $3,000 to $15,000

Several indices have been used to assess the comfort and well-being of dairy cattle.

Is the operator behind the wheel of your $100,000 tractor really qualified or capable of running that piece of machinery?