Housing - Facilities
Ammonia can build in calf hutches and affect growth, but small changes in bedding and daily management can help keep levels in check.
Better airflow, thoughtful pen design and improved daily routines are helping calves thrive like never before on these two dairies.
Installing and maintaining rubber barn flooring the right way can reduce lameness and boost cow comfort.
Crowd gates are often one of the most used tools on a dairy. However, just like any tool, crowd gates can be used incorrectly and can sometimes negatively impact cow comfort and welfare.
Calf barns need excellent ventilation in all seasons, for different reasons. Evaluating calf barns to optimize ventilation can be done easily and at minimal cost with smoking or fogging tools.
With the right setup and a clear plan, manure doesn’t have to be a headache. It can actually work for your farm, saving money, cutting waste and boosting long-term sustainability.
Protecting your hay’s quality and value doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be monitored.
Calves can suffer from heat stress the same as older animals. But even when the heat is on, they prefer to stay close to their partners in pair housing situations, according to a recent study by University of Wisconsin researchers.
As research continues to point to the numerous benefits of social housing for young calves, housing manufacturers are responding with more systems to make pair and group housing more practical, comfortable, and efficient.
Could a cow’s birth season impact its longevity and productivity? University of Florida researchers say yes—discover how heat stress at birth could shape a cow’s future.
The minute a newborn calf hits the ground, its surrounding environment can impact its future health. A multi-phase study from the University of California-Davis teases out the finer points of maternity pen management.
With beef-on-dairy calves in high demand, giving them the best start is essential for both their health and market value. Dr. Gail Carpenter outlines five key priorities for dairy farmers to focus on to help set these calves up for success.
With lameness ranking among the most costly health issues in today’s dairy operations, a “set it and forget it” approach for footbaths is not an effective way to prevent the spread of digital dermatitis.
The largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom has made social housing of preweaned dairy calves a requirement for its contracted supplier dairy herds.
Cold, snow, wind, and more – winter in the northern climates brings extra challenges for dairies and their animals.
When dairy farmers think about animals impacted by cold stress, calves are often the first that come to mind. However, it’s important to remember that cold stress doesn’t just affect calves—it can also significantly impact heifers.
If you’re thinking about installing an autofeeder system in your calf program, you’re headed into a fairly momentous management shift. Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor in Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University, shares advice on smoothing the transition.
Along with much planning, open communication, hard work and strong values have allowed Steinhurst Dairy to pass the torch from one generation to the next despite a string of grief and mountains of heartache.
Cracked hoses, worn-out inflations, air bleeds—these are just a few of the common problems that can pop up when maintaining milking equipment.
Rumen-protected choline has been shown to produce a host of benefits for transition cows, from improved liver function to better immunity and higher milk production. New research shows it can help build better calves, too.
Mastering the intricacies of data management has become a vital role on today’s operations.
Sampling and cleaning lagoons and anaerobic digesters is a dirty, but important job. Here are a few safety considerations and tips to remember when it comes to dealing with sludge.
As temperatures begin to creep their way higher, consider these strategies to help keep calves cool and healthy during the heat of the summer.
VES-Artex has recently unveiled a new soaking system, Intelligent Soaker 2.0, which is designed to help alleviate heat stress while significantly reducing water usage on dairy farms.
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.
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.