After a neighboring dairy installed fans in their freestall barns, Ryan Kroes was able to see firsthand the better results their neighbors had during the hot summer months.

With as little as 16 km/h (10-mph) winds, a properly designed natural ventilation system will provide more than adequate air exchange for your dairy during hot weather.

When it comes time to expand or update facilities, it can be tempting to follow current trends and opt for a more popular choice.

As producers are looking to make improvements on their operations, cow cooling strategies have quickly become the main topic of discussion on most of my farm visits these days.

It is assumed that the lactating group is the most important stage of production for optimal herd performance and profitability. On the contrary, dry cows and transition cows should be, in fact, the focal point of the dairy operation.