Latest News From Housing - Facilities

Though maternity pens can sometimes feel chaotic to manage, there are additional ways to help minimize stress and create a calmer calving environment for both cow and calf.

Whether you’re building a new calf barn or retrofitting an existing structure, there are measures that can be taken to ensure the best possible calf comfort, welfare, and health.

Not all buildings are built the same. Therefore, it’s important to know just how much snow your roof can handle.

A big question on the minds of many decision makers on the dairy is: Should one invest more heavily in hiring highly skilled cow people or in adopting technology that can perform tasks that good cow people could do?

Keeping cows, calves and employees comfortable during the winter months is a balancing act. However finding the right combination between keeping animals warm while also providing adequate air exchange is essential.

DeLaval has announced the launch of their new, re-designed automated teat sprayer, the DeLaval teat spray robot TSR2.

Farming has run deep in the Moes family roots for the past 130 years. Today, the fourth and fifth generations continue to keep their ancestors’ dreams of farming alive.

Dairy producers are feeling the pain point rising interest rates present. But will that bring a halt to their expansion plans?

If raising your own beef-on-dairy animals pencils out, it’s important to make sure your facilities can handle the load.

Self-locking head-lock stanchions have become a management staple on most U.S. free stall dairies. But their convenience can become too much of a good thing.

The global animal disinfectants market is expected to reach $4.6 billion by 2027, according to a Markets and Markets report, up from $3.2 billion in 2022.

Dairy farms can often be a slippery place for both farmers and cows to work.

As we transition the cows into a new facility, take time to watch the cows' usage of the facility. Cow behavior in the facility will indicate what may need to be adjusted.

Whether they’re used for pregnancy checking, herd health days or A.I. breeding, headlocks come in handy for a multitude of reasons. But are our cows spending unnecessary time locked up?

Tips to keep the heart and soul of your operation neat and tidy.

A powerful holiday-week storm will unfold across the central U.S. from Thursday into Friday and unleash heavy snow and strong winds. Is your farm ready for the storm?

If you are experiencing a shortage in your straw supply, here are six bedding alternatives to consider.

As the thermometer starts to dip lower and lower, now is the time to make sure your calf warming room is in tip-top shape.

Old Man Winter will soon be knocking on our barn doors. As we transition from the crisp, cool days of fall to the harsh sting of winter, it’s not too early to start making preparations for the blustery season ahead.

Dairy farmers are always looking for ways to boost efficiency on their operation. This especially holds true in the milking parlor.

This is the story of one dairy producer's struggle with the impact of stray voltage on her cows and family. She wants her family's experience to be something veterinarians and dairy producers can learn and benefit from.

Grayhouse Farms’ decision to build a new dairy was not one that was taken lightly. Brothers Jimmy and Andy Gray built a brand-new dairy five years ago with conservation and efficiency in mind.

Each region of the U.S. presents its own challenges with raising calves, with the varying landscapes often dictating the layout of calf facilities.

Many farmers have pushed pause on expansion plans since the pandemic due to the economic uncertainties facing agriculture. Farmers are still plagued with financial worries and wonder if now is the time to build or not.

Building a new autofeeder barn, or retrofitting an existing structure for autofeeders and/or group housing, is a tremendous investment. Calf raisers “in the trenches” offer their advice on how to do it right.

As energy prices climb, some farmers are feeling the sting of high electric bills.

High temperatures take a toll on dairy cattle and costs the dairy industry nearly $2 billion annually.

The Neuenschwander brothers have thrived during a tough dairy economy because of their ability to maximize cow comfort and produce excellent genetics on their Indiana dairy.

The benefits of dry-period cooling for cows have been documented for several years. But what about first-calf heifers, who don’t technically have a “dry” period?

A barn fire was almost a blessing in disguise for the de Jong family who owns and operates ELBI Dairy in Manitoba. The family says that the fire left them with a new vision for dairy where technology became a key driver.

Over Memorial Day, a series of severe storms that brought strong winds, heavy rain, hail and multiple tornado warnings, impacted South Dakota. Victory Farms shares how the double punch storms impacted their farm.

Chobani has made a large contribution to the construction of the nation’s largest research dairy in Idaho. The donation was made to the University of Idaho-led Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

Dairy sprinklers and fans generally idle on low until summer. With an extreme heatwave across the midsection of the U.S., farmers are stepping up their cooling systems to ensure their cows are as comfortable as possible.

Keep an eye on water intake and feedstuffs. Avoid vaccinations when heat levels are high. Address the environment for management steps you can take to improve cow comfort.

The roads have been cleared and the sun is now peeking out in North Dakota after dairy farmers spent the bulk of their Easter weekend pushing snow when the storm of the century – Snowmageddon – plowed through.

Farmers are the original recyclers, and a company called repurposedMATERIALS is matching creative users with expired industrial products that otherwise would be headed for the landfill.

Trying to advise a client on how to properly manage the ventilation in a cow barn in weather like this can be challenging. Some days are wet, some snowing, some foggy, others sunny and unseasonably warm.

Gunfire was the result of a crime spree that spanned five rural Tulare County California dairies last week. Tips on what to do if your dairy has been robbed and how to develop and implement a farm security plan.

The National Mall received a make-over earlier this month when the Association for Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) brought rural living to Washington D.C. - showcasing how innovation enables sustainability.

Two dairy farmers from opposite ends of the country share how they push past the trials and tribulations Mother Nature throws their way.

Two dairy farmers from opposite ends of the country share how they push past the trials and tribulations Mother Nature throws their way.

The milk price outlook has been a welcomed change. Increasing the number of cows in the herd may be a way to capture the benefit of high milk prices. However, feed prices and animal behavior should also be considered.

Iowa State Dairy Association knows its farmers could use some help. Efforts are well underway to push legislation that would create free dollars to help its dairy producers automate various aspects of their 24/7 work.

While raising calves in pairs is not cut out for everyone, the benefits are promising.

Northeasterners know the drill. Snowplows and shovels are essential to survive the winter months. Last week, people from parts of New England were shoveling snow, as the "bomb cyclone" storm made its feisty impact.

Key points on how dairy producers can prepare for the winter storm warning that is excepted to bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to a large part of the U.S.

Winter Storm Landon is on its way, expected to spread a big mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Rockies to the Plains, Midwest and parts of the Northeast. Don't forget to pay attention to your barn roofs.

Using an automated alley scraper is not a necessity, but it could become a tool that could save you time and money. In a competitive dairy market, these advantages could give your dairy the extra edge to earn more.

James Weber returned home to his family's vacant farm and began milking 130 Jersey cows in 2014. With a focus on sustainability, the young dairy farmer has been able to thrive in an industry that is anything but easy.

When the three most popular heifer housing types – confinement, dry lot, and pasture – were evaluated, University of Kentucky researchers determined that pasture was the hands-down economic winner.