Locomotion and hock scores, along with resting time, are indicators of the quality of the lying surface and bedding choice. With many bedding options available, this article provides recommendations for how to optimize each of them to improve cow comfort.

By proactively managing your livestock ventilation system as the seasons change, you can ensure a stable, healthy environment for your animals year-round. Regular maintenance, thoughtful adjustments to your system and considering upgrades when possible will all contribute to optimal conditions in your dairy.

Discussing cow comfort, genetics, succession planning and social media presence, brother and sister Tyler and Mackenzie Reynolds join host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn how a new barn has resulted in increased production, how three siblings returned to the western New York dairy, the impact genetics has had on Reyncrest Farm’s herd and the opportunities that come with showcasing dairy farming on social media.

As you evaluate lighting options, there are several important considerations to think about. For example, will these lights be located inside or outside of the barn? Do you plan to have them turn off/on automatically or will they be manually operated? What ceiling height will you mount lights from? Knowing where and how the lights will be placed can help direct you to find the right fit for your facilities.

While some university dairies have shut down in the last few decades, others are breaking ground on new research dairies to replace aging facilities or making renovations to update their current ones. Here is an overview of some of the facilities currently under construction.

There are many things to consider when you start evaluating what kind of beds and bedding you will use in your stalls, and everyone has a different opinion about what’s the best option.

This article is intended to help facilitate a discussion between an owner and an engineer to come to an agreement on the cost of engineering fees versus the scope and quality of services provided. Ideally, by having this conversation, the owner will get to explain what they value in their engineer, and the engineer can explain the cost associated with meeting the owner’s desires.

Sort gates provide one more opportunity to move from a group management philosophy to an individual management perspective. Instead of managing by exception, you are now managing the individual cow or individual challenge.

In an era where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, dairy farmers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption while maintaining optimal production levels. One significant area of focus is the dairy barn, where numerous opportunities exist to improve energy efficiency.