Have you ever noticed how people tend to be captivated by the latest guru in their field – only to leave that guru behind for the next “big thing” that comes the following year? Or how some become so fiercely loyal to a mentor they feel everyone else’s thoughts or ideas must be bad simply because their mentor didn’t think of it?

When planning a dairy cattle freestall housing system, focus on the cow and the freestall where you expect her to spend half her work day, resting and making milk. The size of the resting and lunge areas of the stall and the type and condition of the resting surface are critical. The quality (temperature, moisture, dust) and quantity (flow rate and velocity) of the air surrounding the cow must also be considered in the design, construction and maintenance of the freestall component of the overall dairy system. The cow must be able to freely access other housing areas throughout her work day. This includes the alleys that service the freestalls, water stations and feed lines, and also allow the cow to travel to and from the milking parlor and special-needs areas.