Bedding type is a crucial component of cow comfort. Encouraging cows to spend more time lying and chewing their cud is the ultimate goal, but accomplishing that end has a plethora of considerations.

The first six years after starting their dairy were action-packed for the Windemuller family as they purchased their property, economically grew their herd and converted existing buildings – including a turkey coop and a tiestall barn – into functional dairy facilities.

The early spring season is the ideal time to give your fans the attention they need so that they can run at 100% performance. This should become part of the farm’s routine maintenance plan.

Are you as profitable as you could be with your current cow numbers? Cutting labor to the bone is not a path to profitability. Allowing the cow to be a cow is a much better move.

Failure to permit cows to rest when they want to, for as long as they need to, has a negative impact on their ability to produce milk, become pregnant, stay healthy and remain in the herd.

In this article, I’d like to share some common concerns I see arise and offer practical solutions. These are things you should consider during the design process whether you’re investing in a new facility or seeking to enhance an existing one.

Dairy cows are vulnerable to heat stress. As temperatures rise, so does a cow’s body temperature and respiratory rate as she pants to cool down. 

Just buying fans and hanging them haphazardly around your barn is not going to be very helpful in your fight against the rising summer temperatures. There are a few key concepts that you need to consider to get it right.