There are many things to consider before we even start to design a facility layout. First, we need to focus on priorities, long-term goals and education. Secondly, we need to make general systems decisions, and finally, we can begin focusing on layout and planning.

The Signers manage a milking herd of about 60 cows, maxing out the space available to them in the farm’s previous tiestall facility. Thus, they set out to create a new facility that would not only incorporate newer technology into their routine, like a robotic milking system, but more importantly, would provide a greater level of comfort to the cows.

Explore three trends in manure management and their potential to impact operational efficiency.

Proper ventilation not only ensures the health and well-being of your cows but also contributes to the overall efficiency and productivity of your dairy operation. In this article, we will delve into five essential aspects of dairy barn ventilation that every dairy producer should be well versed in.

Implementing effective integrated pest management strategies is extremely important for dairy operations, not only for pest control but also for ensuring overall welfare and productivity. 

Controlling pathogen outgrowth in recycled manure bedding is possible. When a bacillus-based bedding additive was tested on-farm, a significant reduction in bulk tank SCC and mastitis cases was noticed.

The recent mysterious disease affecting cattle in the U.S. is avian influezna, and the source is wild birds. My research team has been studying pest bird management on dairies for over eight years, and we have learned a few tricks that we would like to share with you.

It’s uncertain what will happen in the next quarter or two, but we all want to see farms succeed. Dairy farms help feed the world, and by taking a closer look at your operations, expenses and the comfort of your cows, you can identify areas for improvement that will keep your business profitable.

Consider productivity, longevity and sustainability when considering a retrofit for automated milking.

Three anaerobic digester operators discuss how their systems complement dairies operations and how they up the value of their farms.