Housing - Facilities

Clearing the Air About Ammonia in Calf Hutches

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:52:09 GMT

Most calf hutches look fine from the outside. But what’s happening inside the hutch, especially at calf level, is not always as obvious.

When wet bedding and manure break down, they release ammonia. In hutches, it builds up right where calves are breathing. Even at fairly low levels, it can affect intake, growth and overall performance.

During a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, David Casper, a dairy nutritionist and owner of Casper’s Calf Ranch in Illinois, explains how ammonia develops in calf hutches and what it means from a management standpoint.

Airflow is a Strength

Calf hutches continue to be widely used across dairies because they naturally provide strong ventilation and keep calves in individual spaces that are easy to manage. They also offer flexibility as herds grow and do not require the same level of infrastructure as enclosed barns.

“In my opinion, the hutch would still be the gold standard as far as having the best environmental quality you could have, especially air quality, and not have to deal with ventilation problems,” Casper says.

Even so, ammonia can increase as bedding becomes damp. By the time it’s noticeable, calves have already been exposed.

“When we started using soy hulls, I started noticing ammonia in the hutches,” Casper says. “I could smell it and really picked up on it. And that’s when we started getting concerned.”

That realization prompted a closer look at ammonia levels in hutches and how they relate to calf growth and health.

Measuring Ammonia

To better understand the issue, Casper evaluated ammonia levels in 90 calf hutches. Calves were placed in alternating hutches assigned to either a control or treatment group, and ammonia was measured weekly.

“Once a week, we come through with a personal ammonia detector that’s digital, and we would turn that with the measuring system face down on the bedding,” he says. “After 30 seconds, you get a stable reading, and that was the ammonia reading in the hutch.”

Control hutches averaged about 10 parts per million, while treated hutches averaged around 1.5 parts per million, an 85% reduction.

“We actually reduced the ammonia levels in the hutches by 85%,” Casper says.

That difference was significat, as performance challenges can begin once ammonia exceeds about 4 to 6 parts per million.

“Basically the range is four to six parts per million,” he says. “Above that, you will actually start seeing performance losses or performance challenges.”

Ammonia levels varied widely between hutches. Wetter bedding, scours and older calves were all associated with higher readings.

“Some hutches would have values up to 100 parts per million and other ones would be very low,” Casper says.

Ammonia also tended to increase later in the preweaning period as calves consumed more starter.

“For our studies, week seven and eight were probably the higher ammonia readings,” Casper says. “The first week had almost no ammonia readings because they’re on freshly bedded straw and fecal output is very minimal.”

Impact on Calf Growth

Lower ammonia levels were also tied to better performance. Calves in lower ammonia environments gained more weight during the preweaning period.

“We actually picked up on a growth response as well,” Casper says. “We got .14 pounds more average daily gain.”

Milk feeding remained the same, pointing to differences in intake and environment.

“The calves that were in the lower ammonia levels in the hutches ate more calf starter and had better growth rates,” he says.

Calves in lower ammonia hutches also showed greater increases in heart girth, indicating more overall body development.

Managing Ammonia in the Hutch

While most dairies are not measuring ammonia regularly, several management areas influence how much builds up in hutches.

Bedding is the biggest driver. Keeping bedding dry and well maintained helps limit ammonia. Deep straw provides insulation and absorbs moisture, but it needs to be refreshed regularly, especially later in the preweaning period.

“A calf can take a lot of cold weather if they’ve got deep straw bedding that they can nest down into and stay warm,” Casper says.

Moisture control is also important. Hutches with scours or poor drainage tend to have higher ammonia levels, so identifying problem hutches early can help target extra bedding or cleanout.

Smell is another indicator. If ammonia is noticeable when checking calves, levels are already elevated.

Timing matters as well. Ammonia tends to increase as calves get older and consume more starter, so bedding management often needs to be more aggressive in the later weeks before weaning.

A few practical hutch-specific steps producers can use include:

Add fresh straw more often in the back third of the hutch, where moisture tends to build first
Pull wet bedding away from the calf’s resting area instead of just layering on top
Pay close attention to hutches with scouring calves and re-bed them first
Check bedding depth at the calf level, not just at the front entrance of the hutch
Clean or fully reset hutches between groups when possible to reduce carryover moisture

Paying attention to these areas can help keep ammonia levels lower and support more consistent calf performance through the preweaning period.

How Two Wisconsin Dairies Rethought Calf Housing from the Ground Up

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:41:53 GMT

When a calf is born at McFarlandale Dairy or Rosy Lane Holsteins in Watertown, Wis., a lot of thought has already gone into where and how that calf will be raised. Both dairies have redesigned their calf housing systems to keep calves healthier, make the daily routine more efficient and improve long‑term herd performance. The farms recently shared their approaches and takeaways during a Professional Dairy Producers webinar.

However, the two farms arrived at that point through different circumstances. McFarlandale Dairy updated its calf facilities as the herd expanded and environmental compliance requirements changed. Rosy Lane Holsteins rebuilt its calf program after a fire destroyed its calf barn in 2022.

Despite those different starting points, both dairies focused on many of the same priorities: ventilation, bedding management, feeding consistency and facilities that make daily calf care easier for employees.

Designing Barns with Hutches in Mind

When Christine Bender returned to her family’s McFarlandale Dairy nine years ago, calves were raised in several different facilities across the farm. As the herd grew to roughly 1,950 milking cows across two sites, the number of replacement heifers increased as well. The decision to rebuild calf housing came as the farm updated its CAFO compliance plan.

“Basically, the DNR said you either need to put your hutches on concrete and contain everything that comes in contact with them, or put up barns,” Bender says.

The farm chose to construct new calf barns but spent several years researching options before beginning construction. Bender and her team visited dairies across the state and evaluated a wide range of housing systems, including automated feeder group housing and large multi-row calf barns. Even while looking at new technology, they continued to view calf hutches as the benchmark for calf health.

“We still believe to this day that calf hutches are probably the gold standard,” she says. “My husband made the point that the goal was to get calves as close as you can to calf hutches.”

That idea shaped the design of McFarlandale’s new facilities. Over the past two years, the farm has built four calf barns in two phases. Calves are still housed individually, but the barns are designed to mimic many of the environmental benefits of hutches while improving labor efficiency and environmental control.

Ventilation Becomes the Biggest Focus

Ventilation quickly became one of the most important management factors. The first barns were built using university guidelines recommending roughly four air exchanges per hour. After consulting with ventilation specialists, the farm began increasing airflow targets.

“For us, the biggest challenge has been ventilation,” Bender says.

Fans were adjusted to six to eight air exchanges per hour and later increased further as the team evaluated calf health data. In the newer barns, McFarlandale added larger fans and additional ventilation strategies, including large ceiling fans with reversible winter settings.

“Now we don’t ever fully close those curtains,” Bender says. “We always leave them cracked so we’re allowing more fresh air.”

The farm now aims for roughly 11 to 12 air exchanges per hour while still avoiding drafts at the calf level. Improvements in ventilation have coincided with lower treatment rates for respiratory disease in recent groups of calves.

Pen Flooring Built for Easier Cleanouts

The flooring design in the calf pens also reflects lessons from the farm’s earlier hutch system. Concrete extends a short distance into each pen, followed by a gravel base that can be removed and replaced during cleanout.

“When we clean out our pens, we scoop all that out with a skid loader and then we can put fresh gravel down,” Bender says.

This setup allows the farm to fully reset pens between groups. The new barns also make it possible to operate with an all-in, all-out calf flow, giving pens time to be cleaned and rest before the next calves enter.

Bedding and Feeding Management Evolve

Bedding management remains another important part of the program. McFarlandale relies heavily on straw for nesting during the winter months and often mixes in sawdust during warmer weather. Pens are bedded frequently to keep calves dry.

“We’ll bed probably every other day because we believe dry calves are healthy and growing calves,” Bender says.

Feeding protocols have also changed over time. What once was a twice-daily feeding schedule has evolved into a more structured system where calves are fed every eight hours. Calves typically remain on milk for about 10 weeks and stay in the calf barn until roughly 12 weeks of age before moving to the next facility.

Growth rates have improved as feeding intensity increased.

“We were probably starting at 1.5 lb. average daily gain,” Bender says. “We got to 1.8 pretty easily just by feeding more milk, and now we’ve been able to attain that 2 lb. average daily gain.”

Lung Ultrasounds to Monitor Respiratory Health

Monitoring respiratory health has also become more precise. McFarlandale Dairy uses lung ultrasound scoring to identify respiratory disease that might not be visible during daily observation.

Before adopting ultrasound screening, Bender believed pneumonia was relatively uncommon in their calves. The scans showed otherwise, identifying cases of subclinical respiratory disease that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

In the hutch system, about 25% of calves required treatment based on ultrasound results. When calves first moved into the barns, treatment rates increased as high as 50%. But as ventilation strategies were adjusted, those numbers began to decline.

More recently, treatment rates have dropped as low as 10% in some groups. The lung ultrasound scores now serve as an important management tool, helping guide treatment decisions as well as ventilation adjustments.

(Maureen Hanson)

A New Calf Barn Built Around Group Housing

Across town at Rosy Lane Holsteins, the redesign of calf housing came after a barn fire destroyed the farm’s original calf facility in 2022. The previous barn had been built in the late 1990s and housed calves in individual pens with tube ventilation. In the years leading up to the fire, the farm had already begun experimenting with paired and group housing systems while working with researchers at the University of Wisconsin.

After the fire, the farm’s partners had to decide whether to rebuild the calf facility or outsource calf raising.

“We all decided as partners that it was best to keep calves in house and raise them ourselves,” says Sam Peetz of Rosy Lane Holsteins. “Part of Rosy Lane is taking care of animals.”

Wisconsin dairy farm

(Rosy-Lane Holsteins)

The Rail Housing Choice

As the farm researched potential designs, one facility visit stood out. During a trip to South Dakota, the team toured a calf barn where calves appeared alert and active shortly after feeding. The facility used a rail housing system, where calves are individually housed in open pens along a central feed alley, a design that allows for strong airflow while keeping feeding and chores efficient.

“All the calves were up, perky, alert and eating grain,” Peetz says. “They looked awesome. It made sense to us that this was the type of system we wanted.”

The new calf barn opened in April 2025. Rosy Lane currently milks about 1,815 cows across two sites, and calves are raised on the home farm until about five months of age.

The new facility is divided into four insulated rooms, each containing eight pens with approximately 10 calves per pen. Calves move into group pens shortly after receiving colostrum and remain together until around three months of age.

The barn uses a rail feeding system that allows calves to be housed in groups while still receiving individual bottles. Each pen has headlocks and bottle holders mounted along a rail.

“We knew we liked group housing and the benefits calves get from socializing and transitioning after weaning,” Peetz says. “But we also liked feeding calves individually.”

The rail feeding system allows employees to quickly observe calf behavior during feeding and identify calves that may not be drinking well.

“We can feed calves quick and efficiently, and you can see right away if a calf drank the bottle or not,” Peetz says.

Many treatments and vaccinations can also be administered while calves remain locked in headlocks immediately after feeding, reducing the need to chase calves around the pen.

Bedding and Ventilation Keep Calves Comfortable

Bedding management was another important design consideration. Each pen measures roughly 12' by 24' and can be divided in half during cleaning. When bedding is removed, calves are temporarily moved to one side while a skid loader cleans out the other half of the pen.

“We’re cleaning that bedding every week and trying to get down to the concrete and start fresh,” Peetz says.

Ventilation in the new barn uses chimney fans similar to systems commonly found in hog and poultry facilities. Each room contains four chimney fans that create negative pressure, pulling stale air upward while fresh air enters through attic inlets.

“The idea is to move the air across the ceiling so it mixes before it gets down to calf level,” Peetz explains.

Managing airflow during seasonal weather swings can still be challenging, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures change quickly.

“The tricky part is when it warms up but the concrete is still cold underneath the calves,” he says. “How do you move that air without creating a draft?”

Peetz generally prefers higher airflow rates combined with deep bedding and calf jackets when needed.

“I’m a big believer in deep straw bedding and running eight, 10, 12 air exchanges an hour to keep fresh air down by the calves.”

Like McFarlandale, Rosy Lane relies heavily on bedding to maintain calf comfort. Straw is used extensively for young calves, although older calves may transition to corn stalk bedding depending on availability. Calves also have continuous access to water through small waterers, and water tanks are cleaned daily.

“We’re cleaning water tanks every day because baby calves need clean water,” Peetz says.

Calf Housing That Works for People and Animals

Both farms emphasize facilities must also support the people caring for the animals. Indoor barns provide protection from weather and help create a more consistent working environment for employees.

“For the employees it’s a really nice environment,” Bender says. “You’re out of the elements, and there’s a lot of natural sunlight.”

Peetz also emphasizes the importance of routines that are easy to repeat every day.

“How do you make it easy and repeatable so people do the same thing every day?” he asks.

Both dairies also stress how calf housing is only one part of a successful calf program. Much of calf health is determined before calves ever reach the barn.

At McFarlandale Dairy, Bender continues to focus on improving maternity management and colostrum protocols.

“The only time we really lose calves is within the first two days of life,” she says. “That always takes me back to maternity.”

Newborn calf_Taylor Leach

(Taylor Leach)

The farm monitors colostrum success using blood total protein testing and consistently achieves high transfer rates.

“Blood total proteins average about 96% excellent,” Bender says.

Now the farm is evaluating colostrum volume and BRIX levels more closely to determine whether adjustments are needed.

“We think we got too good at our jobs feeding really high-quality colostrum and large amounts,” she says.

Rosy Lane tracks several performance indicators in its calf program, including average daily gain, the percentage of calves that double birth weight by weaning and overall completion rate from birth to fresh heifer.

“Our ultimate goal is to get 90% of calves born alive to make it to the fresh pen as a 2 year old,” Peetz says.

Growth rates have improved in the new facility. In the previous barn, achieving 1.8 lb. of average daily gain was considered strong performance. In the new barn, calves are more often averaging around 2.2 lb. per day.

Still, Peetz emphasizes strong transitions after weaning are just as important as early growth.

“You can feed calves a lot and get good birth-to-wean gain,” he says. “The real test is transitioning them to solid feed without getting them sick.”

Built for Long-Term Success

Both farms view their new calf facilities as tools to support consistent care rather than a finished solution. Thoughtful housing paired with careful management allows them to monitor, adjust and improve calf health as the animals grow.

“You can do great the first eight weeks, but if things fall apart after that, there are still opportunities for improvement,” Bender says.

For McFarlandale Dairy and Rosy Lane Holsteins, the focus remains on continuous improvement. By creating environments that promote calf comfort, health and socialization, they are setting up animals for stronger growth, smoother weaning transitions and long-term productivity.

Rubber Flooring Tips for Installation Maintenance and Longevity

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:26:35 GMT

The surfaces cows walk on every day have a factor on herd health. And because cows spend so much time on concrete, lameness often follows. According to Martin Folkema, product manager at Agri-Comfort in Canada, the problem may be more widespread than many producers realize.

“It seems like 30-35% of cows have lameness,” Folkema said on a recent ‘The Dairy Podcast Show’ episode. “But when we start to look at cull cows and subclinical cases, the number is closer to 74%.”

While lameness can often seem like just a sore foot issue, Folkema is quick to point out that it can trigger a chain reaction of other health issues.

“Lameness is probably the cause of a lot of mastitis issues and even reproductive issues,” Folkema says. “If they’ve got a sore foot, they’re not going to stand for being in heat.”

Part of the challenge lies in the barn surfaces themselves. Concrete flooring helped dairies solve problems such as mud by moving cows into cleaner housing systems, but it also introduced harder walking conditions that require careful design and upkeep.

Concrete essentially functions like artificial rock in the barn. It must be roughened to provide traction so cows do not slip, but that same roughness increases wear on hooves over time. As a result, most lameness shows up in the rear legs, where the majority of a cow’s weight and impact occurs.

Because of that challenge, many dairies have started looking at ways to soften high-traffic areas without sacrificing traction. Flooring design and installation choices can play a role, especially in spaces where cows spend the most time standing and walking.

Bringing Comfort Back to the Barn Floor

Rubber flooring has become one option to help reduce the strain created by concrete alleys and other high-traffic areas. When rubber flooring first began appearing in dairy barns in the early 2000s, there was little research behind it. What producers noticed instead were changes in how cows moved.

“Some people were just seeing phenomenal differences on the cows on rubber,” Folkema says. “The gaits were better. The strides were longer. Cows that might have been limping on concrete got onto rubber and suddenly they’re walking better.”

Folkema notes that rubber flooring helps bring back some of the shock absorption cows naturally experience on pasture. Since cows spend much of the day on their feet, often walking two miles or more, flooring improvements can be especially valuable in the areas where cows stand the longest.

“I do believe the area along the manger is probably your quickest payback,” Folkema says. “They spend about six hours a day in front of the manger. Parlors and holding areas are another big priority.”

Improving comfort in these high-traffic areas can also support longer productive lives.

“If you go from two and a half to three and a half lactations, you double your profit on that cow,” he says.

Installation and Maintenance Considerations

How and where rubber is used in the barn can make a big impact on cow comfort and mobility. Proper placement in high-traffic areas allows cows to benefit from the shock absorption and traction rubber provides, helping reduce stress on hooves and legs throughout the day. But with constant hoof traffic, manure exposure and equipment use, it’s important that the rubber flooring is durable enough to withstand daily wear.

“You’ve got to find something that has very high-abrasion resistance and very high-tensile strength,” Folkema says. “You want to go with a virgin rubber compound. You don’t want something that’s been recycled.”

While recycled rubber products may appear less expensive, they often struggle to hold up in manure-heavy barn environments.

“The bacteria and the nature of manure are not good with recycled rubber,” Folkema adds.

Installation timing can also affect performance. Newly installed rubber often has a thin surface film that can make it slick during the first hours of use. Applying a light layer of sand or lime helps remove that film and improve traction for cows.

Temperature can influence installation too Rubber becomes stiffer in colder conditions, which can make handling and fitting the mats more difficult.

“You don’t want to install something in the dead of winter,” he says. “Maybe put it in your shop first to get it warmed up to temperature.”

Maintenance practices may also need to change once rubber flooring is installed. Although the material is durable, it cannot tolerate the same aggressive scraping used on concrete alleys.

“You can’t have the same level of expectation as concrete,” Folkema says. “You can’t get in there with a steel bucket on your skid steer and just start scraping.”

Even high-quality rubber has its limits.

“You can have the highest abrasion resistant rubber out there,” he says. “But if you really want to hurt it, you can hurt it.”

Clearing Up Common Misconceptions

When producers consider installing rubber flooring, a few common concerns tend to come up. One is the belief that cows’ hooves will overgrow if they spend too much time walking on rubber rather than abrasive concrete.

“If you put rubber everywhere, well, there’s nothing left to wear the cows’ hooves down,” Folkema says.

In practice, hoof growth is usually manageable. Cow hooves grow roughly one eighth to one quarter inch per month, and most dairies already trim hooves at least twice each year.

Another concern is that comfortable alleys might encourage cows to lie down outside their stalls. Folkema says that behavior often signals an issue with stall comfort rather than flooring.

“The bigger rule of thumb is if they’re laying in the alleyway, you’ve got to look at your stall,” he says. “Obviously, your stall’s not comfortable enough.”

The Link Between Comfort and Longevity

For many dairies, flooring decisions ultimately come down to long-term cow health.

“I think the focus on cow longevity is going to get more and more important,” Folkema adds.

When cows are more comfortable on the surfaces they walk and stand on, they move more freely and are less prone to lameness. Investing in thoughtful flooring design, proper installation and realistic maintenance practices helps dairies maximize these benefits.

The Top Three Biggest Mistakes When Using Crowd Gates

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Crowd gates are often one of the most used tools on a dairy. Not only do they save significant time for employees, but they also help reduce the stress associated with moving cows.

However, just like any tool, crowd gates can be used incorrectly and can sometimes negatively impact cow comfort and welfare. Carolina Pinzon, a Dairy Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, highlights the three most common mistakes she sees in crowd gate usage and provides practical strategies to avoid them.

Overcrowding the Holding Area

Occasionally, overcrowding the holding area happens, but Pinzon warns that prolonged overcrowding can negatively impact cow health, production, and welfare. This is especially concerning during summer when cows generate extra body heat and require sufficient airflow.

“Signs of an overcrowded holding pen include cows with their heads up, unable to plant their four feet on the ground, and looking restless and uncomfortable,” Pinzon says. “Short-term overcrowding can also result from misuse of the crowd gate, by employees pushing it too far forward and smashing the cows.”

To prevent overcrowding, Pinzon recommends balancing parlor and pen sizes, so cows spend no more than one hour away from their pens during each milking. Holding areas should allow at least 20 square feet per cow.

“If needed, a large pen can be divided into smaller groups,” Pinzon suggests. “While this means more trips to the parlor for workers, it significantly reduces the time cows spend in the holding pen. Additionally, short-term overcrowding can be alleviated by moving the crowd gate backward to provide more space for the cows.”

Being Careless

While dairy cows are typically gentle giants, they can be stubborn and slow to move. This, however, doesn’t justify using force. Moving crowd gates too quickly or applying electricity can cause unnecessary stress and fear for the animals.
Instead, Pinzon emphasizes the importance of calm and gentle handling. She advises guiding cows to the parlor without pressure or haste.

“Once the cows on one side of the parlor have exited, the crowd gate can be moved forward,” Pinzon says. “This regular adjustment is crucial to accommodate the changing number of animals and available space in the holding area. Automating crowd gates to move forward every time exit gates are open/lift can help reduce misuse.”

Pinzon recommends keeping crowd gates at least three feet from the cows to avoid pressing against their backs. She suggests using sound cues, like bells or ringing, to train cows to move forward, rather than relying solely on gate movement. If the gate gets too close, pull it back to give the cows more space before resuming forward movement. These practices promote a stress-free and productive environment for both cows and workers.

Workers Entering the Holding Area

Crowd gates are valuable tools for safely and efficiently moving cows toward the parlor entrance. However, when employees enter the holding pen to push cows, it can create unnecessary stress for the animals and put workers at risk of injury.

Pinzon highlights the importance of regularly training employees on proper cow handling and the correct use of crowd gates. She stresses avoiding the practice of entering the holding area to chase cows and instead maintaining a calm and consistent environment for the animals.

“Except for when loading the last cows of a pen and fresh cows, the door from the parlor pit to the holding area should remain closed during most of the milking process,” she adds. “This physical reminder is to discourage workers from entering the holding area. In addition, regular maintenance of crowd gates, prompt reporting of issues, and swift resolution of problems by management are crucial for proper gate function.”

Spotting these three common mistakes in crowd gate use and taking proactive steps to address them can significantly improve cow welfare, employee safety, and your herd’s operational efficiency. Regular maintenance, clear protocols, and proper training go a long way in preventing overcrowding and keeping things calm and stress-free for both cows and workers.

Where There’s Smoke, There May Be Poor Ventilation

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:04:00 GMT

If you want to evaluate air movement and ventilation in your calf barn, there’s an easy way to do it – fill it with smoke.

That smoke should not come from a fire, mind you, but from handy tools that allow you to visually evaluate where the air moves in your calf barn, and how quickly it is exchanged with fresh air from the outside.

Courtney Hallbach, MBA, researcher with the University of Wisconsin’s Dairyland Initiative, shared at the most recent AABP Recent Graduate Conference that good ventilation is critical for removing warm, humid, contaminated air from calf barns. In the summer, this helps with heat abatement; in the winter, it protects respiratory health.

She said “smoking” or “fogging” barns is a low-cost, highly visual way to observe how air is distributed in a calf barn and identify any dead spots. In barns with positive-pressure ventilation tubes, smoke can be forced through the tube from the outside, while an observer inside watches how air exits the discharge holes, and how long it takes for the smoke to leave the building entirely. Any leaks or loose connections in the ventilation tubes can also be identified.

There are several options for tools used to perform smoke testing:

Non-toxic smoke sticks or bombs commonly used by HVAC professionals
Bug foggers loaded with water or mineral oil;
Electronic fog machines commonly used in theaters and fire training

This video shows a team of professionals from Cornell University Extension using smoke sticks to evaluate a New York calf barn without a positive-pressure ventilation tube.

Dr. Ryan Leiterman, veterinarian and agricultural engineer with Crystal Creek Natural , Spooner, Wis., regularly uses the method to diagnose ventilation issues in existing barns, and fine-tune the systems when he is helping clients install ventilation systems in new barn construction.

In an advisory bulletin he offered as guidance to producers building new facilities, he noted, “after fogging over 75 barns, I consistently notice fresh air from the positive pressure duct being directed to the calf level, only to be warmed and rise back up to the top of the barn.”

He said it is a myth that calves don’t produce enough body heat to influence thermal buoyancy. In truth, they absolutely do. That warm air they create needs an escape route, which he advised should be a ceiling ridge vent. “Ridge vents can and should be covered, but the covering needs to be elevated to provide space for warm air to escape,” he stated.

The clearly visible air flow patterns observed from smoking barns can also identify dead zones of stagnant air, where smoke lingers instead of clearing. Fast-moving smoke at the calf level might be fine in the summer, but indicate a cold draft on calves in the winter.

Sometimes, short-circuiting of airflow is also observed, when smoke is pulled directly from inlets to exhaust without circulating through the room. In that case, the mechanical ventilation system may be running, but not actually refreshing the air around the calves.

Leiterman records the time it takes for the smoke to completely dissipate in the building, which is an indication of air exchange speed. He explains the simple calculation in this video of fogging a calf barn addition under construction in Wisconsin. If it takes 15 minutes for the smoke to clear, that’s 4 exchanges per hour. Clearance in 6 minutes means 10 exchanges per hour. He advises at least 4 air exchanges per hour in all seasons, with possibly greater frequency in warm weather.

Remedying identified issues may be as simple as adjusting curtained sidewalls on calf barns; increasing or decreasing fan speeds; or changing the volume of air through positive-pressure ventilation tubes. In other cases, it may take more involved efforts, like cutting in roof ridge ventilation or a central chimney to allow warm air to escape, or installing a positive-pressure ventilation system.

Work with your veterinarian, design engineer, or building professional to put the power of smoke to work for your calves and the environment you want to create for them.

What Manure Management System Works Best for You?

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:27:09 GMT

Dealing with manure is part of the daily grind on any dairy farm. It’s a crappy job, but when managed properly, manure can be an extremely valuable resource. Many farms now collect and store manure systematically, and a growing number are exploring composting, separation or digestion. But before jumping into any new system, Dr. Rebecca Larson, professor and Extension specialist at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, says producers need to define their goals.

Start With Clear Goals
“Start by asking what you want to change,” she says. “Do you want to reduce hauling costs? Manage phosphorus? Reduce odor? That clarity is key.”

Larson emphasizes evaluating your current system from barn to field. Before considering upgrades, it’s important to understand how your system functions, where the bottlenecks are, and how manure moves through your operation.

“Even knowing how many truckloads you hauled last year, or where and when, can make a big difference,” she says. “That kind of information helps size a system, estimate cost and identify where improvements would matter most.”

She also recommends having a rough idea of your farm’s manure characteristics, such as consistency, water content and nutrient profile. These influence which technologies are feasible, how systems perform and what adjustments might be needed to get the most value.

“Some systems just don’t work if your manure is too dry or too liquid,” she adds. “That’s why I recommend drawing out a manure flow diagram. It helps you visualize the full system and your weak spots.”

Storage Matters
Well-designed storage gives farms flexibility to apply manure when conditions are best, not just when forced. That means better nutrient retention, less runoff and fewer weather-related headaches. Properly sized storage also supports labor efficiency, better planning and improved integration with advanced systems.

“Most people build storage because they’re required to,” Larson explains, “but it really gives you flexibility, especially during winter.”

Composting: Simple and Scalable
Composting is a popular option due to its simplicity and multiple benefits. Chryseis Modderman, Extension educator at the University of Minnesota, explains that high temperatures and aeration kill most pathogens, making composting an effective way to sanitize manure.

“A compost pile made of manure, bedding and other organic material can reach up to 150°F, sufficient to destroy most harmful microbes,” Modderman says. She recommends two heat cycles of at least 131°F, with aeration and uniform heat distribution, to fully break down the material into a stable, soil-like product.

Storing manure under anaerobic conditions can also reduce pathogens. “Though some bacteria can survive anaerobic conditions, most pathogens will be killed within 30 days,” Modderman notes.

Benefits of composting include reduced volume, odor and pathogen load.

“You can cut your manure volume nearly in half,” Larson adds. “It also kills weed seeds and creates a more stable product. Some farms market their finished compost, but this requires additional time and effort.”

Digestion: Powerful but Pricey
Anaerobic digesters break down manure without oxygen, producing methane that can be used for electricity, heat or renewable natural gas. Their popularity is rising as farms seek ways to generate energy, lower emissions and reduce odor. Daniel Ciolkosz of Penn State Extension notes that digesters also reduce the smell tied to land application, an increasing concern as more homes are built near farms.

“An anaerobic digester is an excellent addition to a manure management system for the reduction in near odorless effluent for spreading on fields,” Ciolkosz says.

The best digester depends on a farm’s manure system and location. Scraped, flushed or belt systems affect solids content entering the digester, which influences efficiency. In warm climates, covered lagoons are a lower-cost option. In colder regions, complete mix, plug flow or temperature phase digesters are more common due to better heating potential.

However, digesters come with a high price tag. Installation can run into the millions, especially when paired with gas upgrading or power generation equipment. Ongoing maintenance, oversight and permitting also add to the cost. These investments often require grants, partnerships or revenue from energy credits to make them viable.

Separation: Targeted Tools for Better Control
Separation systems are another tool producers should consider when evaluating long-term manure management strategies. These systems divide solids from liquids, helping reduce manure volume, improve nutrient management and enhance the efficiency of downstream processes like composting, bedding recovery or anaerobic digestion. They can also reduce storage needs and help tailor nutrient application to crop demands.

“From there, you can manage each stream differently,” Larson says. “It’s great for targeting nutrients, reducing hauling costs or recycling bedding.”

Screw presses are a common form of separation and cost about $100,000. Centrifuges are more effective for phosphorus but can cost up to $500,000 and require more maintenance. Multiple systems can also work in series.

“You might start with a screw press, then use an incline screen or centrifuge,” Larson adds.

Each nutrient separates differently. Particle size, solubility and system type affect how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium end up in the solid or liquid fraction.

“Ammonia stays in the liquid, phosphorus goes with the solids. If phosphorus is your goal, choose a system with high phosphorus efficiency,” she advises.

Separation also shifts nutrient ratios.

“Manure might start with a 3-to-1 nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio. After separation, liquids might be 4-to-1, solids 1-to-1,” she says. “That allows for more targeted nutrient application.”

Many farms also reuse separated solids for bedding.

“And modeling shows separation systems may cut greenhouse gas emissions more than digesters,” she adds.

Advanced Options: Struvite, Biochar, Clean Water, and Pelleting
For producers looking to advance manure management, several emerging technologies go beyond basic separation. These tools help recover nutrients, reduce emissions and manage water, which is especially useful for large farms or those with limited land.

Struvite systems extract phosphorus as a dry, dense product that’s easier to transport and apply.
Biochar, made by pyrolyzing manure solids, holds water, stores carbon and can reduce harmful gases in digesters.
Clean water systems use advanced filtration to recover 50% to 65% of manure as potable water. “I’ve actually drunk the water, and it’s clean,” Larson adds. These systems are gaining traction even in water-rich areas.
Pelleting systems densify nutrients into transportable pellets, mostly seen on farms with 15,000+ cows.

Fit the System to Your Farm
Ultimately, effective manure management depends on clear goals and solid infrastructure. Taking time to evaluate your current system and choose the right tools can lead to better efficiency, fewer headaches and stronger returns over time.

“Manure processing can be fantastic, but only if it fits your goals, scale and management style,” Larson adds. “Sometimes the biggest gains come from small improvements. The more you understand your system, the smarter your decisions which benefit your farm, your finances and the environment.”

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How to Keep Good Hay From Going Bad: Barn Storage Tips That Protect its Quality and Value

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 21:22:45 GMT

Even with hay under cover, it’s easy to overlook how much its nutritional value can degrade over time. Moisture, temperature swings and how the hay is baled and stacked all affect feed quality. Just because a bale looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s holding its feed value.

“Storage losses have a big effect on hay quantities and quality, so in the long run, investing additional resources in hay storage could pay big dividends,” says former UW-Extension agriculture agent, Craig Saxe. “To put storage losses in perspective, let’s assume you store your hay outside and have a fairly reasonable storage loss of 10%. That may not sound all that bad, but a 10% storage loss means that for every 10 bales of hay that you harvest, you really only have the equivalent of 9 bales of hay to feed.”

Even in a barn, storage conditions still matter.

“The way you store hay after baling can have a big effect on hay quantity and quality losses, so it’s worth investing additional resources-money, labor and equipment-in hay storage,” says Bill Wilcke, retired Extension engineer at the University of Minnesota. “This preserves the value of the hay and ensures a good return on your initial investment to bale the hay.”

Wilcke stresses that hay should only be stored with a moisture content of 20% or less. Anything higher can lead to:

Molding and heating
Dry-matter and nutrient loss
Discoloration

“Large rectangular bales don’t lose much moisture after baling,” he adds. “This is why it’s important to bale at the proper moisture, instead of baling at higher moisture and counting on some natural drying in storage.”

Tips for Better Hay Storage in the Barn

Even small nutrient losses can make a difference. However, a few simple storage practices can go a long way in preserving hay quality. Wilcke and Saxe recommend the following:

Prioritize ventilation - Even under a roof, barns can trap heat and moisture. Ensure your barn has adequate ventilation via sidewall openings or ridge vents to help bales “breathe” and reduce internal condensation.
Let bales cure before stacking tightly - Avoid stacking bales too tightly right after baling. Let them sit loosely for a few days (especially if baled on the upper end of safe moisture levels) to allow any residual heat and moisture to dissipate.
Stack for airflow - Leave small gaps between stacks or rows to promote air movement. Avoid stacking directly against walls, which can trap moisture and limit drying. Palletize if possible to elevate bales and allow airflow underneath.
Use a well-drained base - Even indoors, moisture can wick up from the ground. Use crushed gravel, pallets, concrete or plastic sheeting under stacks to prevent ground moisture from reaching the bottom layer of bales.
Monitor temperature and moisture - Consider using a hay temperature probe or moisture tester, especially if storing large volumes. Spontaneous heating is a real risk if bales are put up too wet.
Keep bales off barn edges - Rain can blow in or wick through leaky walls. Store bales a few feet away from barn sides and doors to avoid contact with incoming moisture.
Rotate your inventory - Feed or sell the oldest hay first. Long-term storage, even in a barn, leads to nutrient losses over time.
Watch for pests - Barn-stored hay is susceptible to rodents, birds and other critters. Keep the barn clean, patch any holes and monitor for nesting or droppings.
Label hay by cuttings and quality - If you store multiple cuttings, mark stacks clearly. That way, you can feed accordingly, reserving the highest quality hay for animals with greater nutritional needs.

Hay takes time, effort and money to grow and harvest, so it’s worth taking simple, intentional steps to protect it. And as Wilcke and Saxe mention, you don’t need a fancy storage facility, just a few smart practices can make a big difference. In the end, preserving your hay’s quality means protecting your hard-earned investment and making sure every bale delivers the nutrition your animals need.

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Calves Prefer Their Pals, Even in the Heat

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:00:00 GMT

The effects of heat stress on calves has been the topic of a good share of research in recent years. So, too, has been the study of social versus individual calf housing. Now, University of Wisconsin researchers have published a first-of-its kind study that examined the two factors together.

The research project, published in the Journal of Dairy Science , studied the behavior and physiological characteristics of pair-housed preweaned calves as they navigated competing motivations for social contact and thermal comfort.

A total of 50 Holstein heifer calves were housed in 25 pairs in adjoining hutches with a common outdoor run. In each pair of hutches, one was ventilated with 2 open windows at the rear base and the rear bedding door propped open. The other hutch had no ventilation.

Calves were exposed to and evaluated under 4 conditions for 1 daytime hour each – individually or in pairs confined to a ventilated or non-ventilated hutch. The experiment took place from later spring to fall.

The observations were conducted on 2 consecutive days during weeks 4, 6, and 9 of life. Immediately before and after the hutch confinement, respiration rate and rectal temperature were recorded while calves were outside.

On the subsequent third day in the test weeks, the location of each calf was recorded in 15-minute intervals using time-lapse cameras. They were able to move freely among the two hutches and outdoor run without confinement.

Findings included:

Calves had no hutch preference in week 4 of life, but significantly preferred the ventilated hutch in week 6 and 9 of life.
The temperature-humidity index (THI) within the ventilated hutches remained constant throughout the study, regardless of the number of calves in them. The unventilated hutches saw a rise in THI when calves were confined inside, which became more pronounced with 2 calves versus 1, and as the calves aged, grew larger, and began ruminating.
Not only did ventilation mitigate THI increase, but it also produced a significant reduction in respiration rate of calves when they were confined inside. The greatest reduction in respiration rate was observed in paired calves in week 6. Respiration rate inside and outside the hutch remained relatively the same for the non-ventilated hutches for calves of all ages.
No significant effect on rectal temperature was observed under any of the conditions.
Regardless of location, calves in the unconfined portion of the study preferred being together about 80% of the time.

The preference for staying together was true even inside the unventilated hutches. The researchers cited previous research indicating that calves have a strong desire to access and maintain physical contact with another calf.

They speculated that, when considering social contact versus physical comfort, calves were willing to endure higher temperatures and potentially poorer air quality to be with their partner.Even though evidence in the study indicated the ventilated hutches were more comfortable, calves were willing to forego that comfort to stay with another calf.

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Youngstock Group Housing Options Expand

Tue, 20 May 2025 17:59:00 GMT

A growing body of research points to the myriad benefits of raising calves in pairs or groups. But switching to those systems from individual housing can’t happen overnight.

Calf housing manufacturers are responding to that challenge with a wide range of new social calf housing options. Among them are:

Agri-Plastics – Their Ultra Flex Pens provide flexible indoor housing space for single, pair, or group housing, with center panels that can be removed. The Supreme Buddy Hutch is a two-calf system with a removable center panel. And their Dual XL hutches provides pair calf housing with double pails and bottle holders and flexible ventilation options. Learn more here .

Calf-Tel – The Duplex Gate System fitted to their Outdoor Group Calf Hutch allows producers to pair house first, then commingle in small groups after weaning. Their Elite Calf Pairing fence is sturdy option that creates a common outdoor run between two standard calf hutches. The new Calf Tel Mammoth is a super-sized unit covering a footprint of 10 square meters. A new Group Yard System is a heavy duty, flexible outdoor fencing system that is completely modular and offers convenience to human caretakers with easy entrance and modular options. Finally, their Indoor Group Calf Pen offers flexible options to separate or group calves according to the farm’s desired system. Learn more here .

Canarm AgSystems – Their Comfy Calf Suites provide flexible indoor pen space that can create individual, pair, or group housing, with either hoop or stationary frame styles. Their unique design allows for easy cleaning and customization. Learn more here .

RSI Calf Systems – Their Super Hutch covers about 5.5 square yards and is designed to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Learn more here .

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Cool Calves Live Longer

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:00:00 GMT

The average number of lactations of a U.S. dairy cow currently rests at about 2.8, or around 5 years of age.

That’s a fairly shocking statistic, considering a cow’s natural lifespan can be up to 20 years or more. And, on average, it takes about two full lactations before heifers begin to generate return on investment for their rearing or purchase cost. Given today’s robust heifer values, that time before young cows begin to pay the bills may be even greater.

So, how can we help cows live longer, more productive lives? Researchers at the University of Florida assessed one factor: birth season. They predicted that cows that entered the world during seasons of heat stress would have shorter lifespans. And they were right.

The study, led by researcher Izabella Toledo and published in the Journal of Dairy Science , examined the DairyComp records of more than 10,000 cows in Florida and 8,000 in California that remained alive and productive for more than 5 lactations.

The data were sorted to identify animals born over a period of 10 years (2012-2022) in the cool season (December, January, February, and March) and the hot season (June, July, August, and September). Cows born in the more temperate months of April, May, October, and November were not included in the dataset.

In Florida, 14.5% of cows (1,567) born in the test months were still alive and milking after 5 lactations. Of them, more than double (1,129, or 72%) were born in the cool months compared to the hot months (438, or 28%). In California, 20.4% (1,669) of the dataset made it 5 lactations or longer, with 56.% of them born in the cool months, versus 44% born in the hot months.

The Florida dataset also was analyzed for the number of cows born in the tests months that were dead or sold for beef in the first 4 lactations, and the reasons why. A total of 1,454 were sold and another 238 died. Selling reasons included breeding, foot and leg, digestive, and respiratory issues, along with mastitis.

Significantly more cows born in the hot season (53%) compared to the cool season (47%) were sold for beef.On-farm deaths also were significantly higher for cows born in the hot (54%) versus cool (46%) season.

Toledo and her team concluded that the results give even more credence to the deleterious impacts of heat stress on dairy productivity. Previous studies – many also conducted by University of Florida researchers – have shown that heat stress during late pregnancy affects dams’ milk production in the next lactation, immune function, and calf birth weight.

Further, they have found that calves exposed to heat stress in late gestation had 19% lower milk production in their own first lactations, and even passed that lower milk production potential on to their offspring.

Toledo said the results of the current study suggest a potential two-pronged approach to protecting the productive life integrity of newborn heifers: (1) implement heat-stress abatement measures for dams, including shade, fans, soakers, and misters; and (2) alter breeding decisions to avoid births in seasons of peak heat.

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Five Easy Maternity Pen Moves for Better Calves

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 21:47:47 GMT

What happens in the maternity pen, does not stay in the maternity pen. Rather, the events and environment there can impact a newborn calf for the rest of its life, particularly when it comes to respiratory disease.

Because lung damage in calfhood can impact lifelong health and performance, researchers at the University of California-Davis conducted a multi-phase, large-scale population study examining various management factors and their influence on calfhood bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

On a recent episode of the “ Have You Herd ?” podcast from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Dr. Sherif Aly, veterinarian and epidemiologist at the UC-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching and Research Center at Tulare, Calif., discussed the results.

Aly said the first portion of the study was a survey with more than 40 questions issued to dairies throughout California that helped narrow down the management factors that affect BRD. The next phase, dubbed the “BRD 100” study, drilled deeper into those issues on 104 cooperating dairies. Finally, the resulting information led to the “ BRD 10K ” study, which gathered health and performance data on more than 11,000 calves from birth to weaning on 5 dairies located in the 3 major milksheds in California.

In that study, management practices were assessed by risk factors that contributed to BRD in varying degrees. A score of 1.0 or higher indicated a risk factor. Of particular interest was the maternity pen, where the following risk factors were identified:

(1) Cows and heifers calving together – Commingling first-calf heifers in the same maternity areas as multiparous cows resulted in a BRD offspring risk factor of 1.4, meaning there would be a 40% greater likelihood of calves contracting BRD.

(2) Bedding changes – Changing the maternity pen bedding 6, 7, or 8 times per month significantly reduced the risk of calves contracting BRD. Interestingly, changing the bedding 9 times per month actually produced an uptick in BRD risk to calves.

(3) Bedding materials – Compared to dried manure solids mixed with gypsum, both dirt and plant-based bedding materials (rice hulls, almond hulls, straw, and wood shavings) showed higher risk factors for BRD. Dirt had a whopping 4X odds ratio compared to a manure solids/gypsum base.

(4) Pasture calving – Calving on pasture produced a higher risk factor for BRD compared to enclosed maternity pens.

(5) Dam separation – Removing calves from their dams within 1 hour of birth produced a significant reduction in BRD risk.

The study also examined the association of BRD incidence related to herd demographics, colostrum delivery, vaccination, nutrition, and housing.

Aly said BRD is a complex, multi-factorial disease, lamenting that the incidence in dairy calves has not improved significantly over several decades. His team’s work revealed that 22-23% of calves contract BRD in the preweaning period, which leaves much room for improvement.

By drilling deep into the management practices and related BRD incidence on California dairies, Aly is hopeful the data and knowledge gleaned from their work can help dairies reduce their struggle with the disease. “BRD in preweaning period sets the stage for the success of these cows later on in life,” he declared.

5 Must-Do Steps for Raising Healthy Beef-on-Dairy Calves Before They Leave the Farm

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:04:10 GMT

With beef-on-dairy calves in high demand and day-old prices sky high, ensuring these crossbred calves get off to the best possible start has become a must for dairy producers. Not only does proper care improve calf health, but it also maximizes their market value and long-term performance. During the I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course, Dr. Gail Carpenter, state dairy extension specialist and assistant professor at Iowa State University, says those first few days are make-or-break for setting these calves up for success.

Here are her top five priorities dairy producers should focus on:

1. Breed the Right Calves in the First Place
Before a beef-on-dairy calf is even born, Carpenter notes that the right breeding decisions make all the difference. Choosing the best cows and bulls helps ensure easy calvings, healthy calves, and animals that bring top dollar down the road. For her, this means creating calves who hit the ground strong, grow well, and meet market demands—whether through feedlot performance or carcass quality. Therefore, a little planning upfront goes a long way in setting up both your dairy and beef programs for success.

“Beef-on-dairy is an inventory management practice first and foremost,” Carpenter says. “It’s easy to be pulled towards making a lot of beef on dairy calves. But don’t forget, you also have to keep milking cows, so make sure that you’re protecting your replacement numbers as well.”

Beyond determining the ideal number of beef-on-dairy calves, she emphasizes the importance of selecting the right dams and bulls.
“Whether it’s using [tools like] genomics, health data, or parent averages, it’s essential to breed the right number of calves and select the right cows for beef semen,” she adds. “Make sure you’re choosing for traits like calving ease and conception rate. I think we’re going to see a bigger drive toward breeding for more carcass traits and producing a high-quality product.”

2. Prioritize Maternity Management
Next on Carpenter’s list is a clean and well-managed maternity area.

“Keeping calving pens clean, ensuring cows have access to clean water, and avoiding overstocking are fundamental practices,” Carpenter notes. “Whatever your maternity system is—whether it’s just-in-time calving or a designated maternity pen—manage it well and keep a close eye on those cows.”

Beyond cleanliness, attention to detail in maternity care makes a difference.

“Make sure you’re cleaning your tools, using them productively, and maintaining calf housing and bedding properly,” Carpenter adds. “Bottles, nipples, and all feeding equipment should be kept clean to ensure the best start for your calves.”

Producers should be mindful of monitoring cows closely for signs of labor and assisting when necessary. Using clean equipment for calving assistance, ensuring newborns receive immediate care, and minimizing stress in the maternity area all contribute to better outcomes. Carpenter notes that a well-managed maternity area helps reduce disease risk and ensures calves are born into a safe, healthy environment.

3. Ensure Proper Colostrum Management
Colostrum is the foundation of a calf’s immune system and is crucial for setting the stage for good health. Without enough high-quality colostrum, a calf’s ability to fight infections and thrive early in life is compromised.

“Colostrum is going to be critical whether it’s for your replacements or your beef-on-dairy calves-use the same high-quality colostrum across the board,” Carpenter says. “If volume is an issue, colostrum replacers can be a valuable tool to make sure calves get the antibodies they need.”

Providing colostrum quickly after birth is essential, as the calf’s gut is most open to absorbing antibodies within the first few hours. The sooner you can get it into them, the better their chances are for developing a strong immunity and preventing future health issues.
Key colostrum practices include:

Ensuring calves receive high-quality colostrum within the first few hours of life. This is crucial for the calf to get the right amount of antibodies.
Using a Brix refractometer to confirm colostrum quality (ideally 22% or higher). This helps you ensure the colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, which are vital for the calf’s immune system.
Feeding colostrum at the correct temperature to maximize absorption. Warm colostrum (around 100¬∞F) ensures that calves can properly absorb all the beneficial nutrients.

4. Implement a Solid Pre-Transport Health Plan
Before a calf leaves the farm, it’s crucial to ensure it receives all the necessary health interventions to set it up for success in its next stage of life. Having a solid pre-transport health plan in place not only supports the calf’s health but can also help meet buyer requirements and avoid any issues during transport.

“Vaccination protocols vary, so it’s essential to work with your vet and buyers to develop a plan that suits your operation,” Carpenter notes.

Beyond vaccinations, several other practices can help ensure calves stay healthy during their move:
Common pre-transport practices include:

Administering vaccinations based on the farm’s disease risks. Vaccinations should be tailored to protect calves from the most common diseases in your area or based on specific risks your operation faces.
Navel dipping to prevent infections. Newborn calves are especially susceptible to infection, so dipping the navel in an antiseptic solution helps prevent bacterial infections from entering through the umbilical cord.
Ensuring calves are well-fed and hydrated before transport. Well-nourished, hydrated calves are less stressed and more resilient during transport. Make sure they’ve had a good meal and are drinking before leaving the farm.

5. Maintain a Clean, Comfortable Environment
Creating a comfortable environment for your beef-on-dairy calves is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to ensure their health and long-term performance. A calf’s first few days are crucial, and the conditions they are raised in directly affect their growth, immunity, and overall well-being.

“Keeping the calf’s environment clean and well-ventilated, ensuring calves stay warm and dry, and minimizing stress are all things within a producer’s control,” explains Carpenter.

To truly optimize calf comfort, producers should focus on several areas:

Provide deep, dry bedding to help regulate body temperature. Bedding plays a big role in keeping calves warm and comfortable. Fresh, dry bedding such as straw or shavings shavings can help calves maintain their body temperature. Change bedding regularly to ensure it stays clean and dry, as damp bedding can lead to problems like pneumonia or scours.
Maintain proper airflow to reduce respiratory disease risk. Good ventilation is essential for calf health. Poor air circulation can lead to respiratory issues, which are common in calves and can impact their long-term health. Make sure the housing area is well-ventilated but free from drafts, which could cause chilling.

Setting Calves Up for Success
Managing beef-on-dairy calves isn’t just about checking off a few boxes—it’s about paying attention to the little things every step of the way. By focusing on these five key priorities, farmers can give their calves the best start possible, making sure they stay healthy and strong for their next chapter of life.

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Facility Focus: Are You Managing Footbaths as Well as You Think?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Footbaths are one of the most commonly used management tools on the dairy, yet they often don’t get the attention they deserve. With lameness ranking among the most costly health issues in today’s dairy operations, a “set it and forget it” approach is not an effective way to prevent the spread of digital dermatitis (DD)—an incurable disease that can quickly take hold if not managed properly.

Aerica Bjurstrom, a Regional Dairy Educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shares key management practices to help producers keep their footbaths operating efficiently.

Monitor Use
To be effective, footbaths should be at least 10 feet long, allowing each cow’s hooves to step into the solution twice. Additionally, the solution depth should be maintained at a minimum of four inches to ensure dewclaws are fully submerged. As solution levels drop, footbaths can be topped off, but it’s essential to maintain proper concentration levels as per product recommendations.

“[The footbath] solution should be changed after 150 to 350 cows pass through,” Bjurstrom advises. “If cows have cleaner hooves and legs, the solution can last for 300 to 350 cows. However, dirtier hooves require more frequent changes.”

Tracking daily cow traffic through the footbath can provide better insights into when the solution needs refreshing. Additionally, Bjurstrom notes that cows should have the option to bypass treatment when necessary. “A simple chlorinated or soapy bath on non-treatment days can help maintain foot cleanliness.”

She also emphasizes that treatment frequency should be tailored to your herd needs. “During a DD outbreak, start with three footbath treatments per week. If the condition does not improve, increase frequency to four or five times weekly. For maintenance, a schedule such as Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday or Monday-Wednesday-Friday can be effective.”

Know Your Product
Footbath effectiveness is not one-size-fits-all, and proper solution management is key to success.

“Your footbath solution should be maintained at a pH of 3.5–5.5,” Bjurstrom explains. “Making the solution too acidic or too alkaline won’t improve DD management. Since healthy skin naturally falls within a pH range of 4–5.5, keeping the solution in this range helps maintain skin condition and optimize treatment results.”

Copper sulfate is one of the most widely used footbath treatments, known for reducing both the incidence and severity of hoof lesions. However, Bjurstrom cautions that its effectiveness can be diminished by organic matter. “Dirty footbaths will be less effective than clean ones, as organic matter can rapidly neutralize copper sulfate. The recommended concentration is between 2–5%.”

Don’t Put It Off
While managing footbaths isn’t the most glamorous job, it’s certainly one that can’t be overlooked. A well-maintained footbath plays a critical role in preventing lameness and keeping your herd healthy.
Take the time to develop a routine maintenance schedule that includes:

Regular solution changes based on herd size and cleanliness
Consistent monitoring of concentration levels and pH balance
Thorough cleaning to remove organic buildup and maintain effectiveness
Employee training to ensure proper handling and safety procedures

By staying proactive and making footbath management a priority, you can help prevent the spread of digital dermatitis and keep your cows on the right track—literally and figuratively.

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UK Processor Mandate Yields Green Light for Social Calf Housing

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:50:32 GMT

The largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom has made social housing of preweaned dairy calves a requirement for its contracted supplier dairy herds.

In 2018, Hertfordshire, England-based Tesco plc mandated that preweaned calves would have to be housed in pair or group housing in its Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) herds as a part of its Livestock Code of Practice and Tesco Welfare Approved (TWA) standards. Producers were given one year to achieve compliance.

At the time, some producers resisted the mandate, and veterinarians were concerned about the potential for increased disease pressure for young calves.

Tesco acknowledged the new standard was a bow to consumer activists critical of the dairy industry’s practice of removing babies from their mothers and placing them in isolation. But the company also noted a large body of research outcomes supporting the benefits of social housing, including:

Improved cognitive development and adaptability to novel situations.
Greater ability to withstand stress, particularly during weaning.
Higher social dominance rank as adult dairy cows.
Increased starter grain intake.
Higher average daily gain.

Penn State University researcher Dr. Melissa Cantor discussed the situation on a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show . “Tesco was saying, ‘Hey, all this literature is coming out that shows pair housing helps calves, but none of it is showing a benefit to individual housing over paired, including health,’” she stated.

“So, they decided, ‘We’re going to mandate this,’” noted Cantor. “Obviously, the veterinary community was super worried. But now we’ve got all this data coming in from Europe that shows this [social housing] actually can work if we plan it out right.”

Cantor stressed that successful social housing is dependent on excellent management of calf-rearing fundamentals, including colostrum delivery, nutrition, hygiene, ventilation, resting space allocation, and bedding material and maintenance.

Her research also has shown that cross-sucking – a major concern related to social housing – can be significantly minimized when calves receive abundant daily milk allocations of at least 8 quarts/head/day.

Although some Tesco patrons were reluctant to make the switch, producer feedback in the ensuing years indicated many were pleasantly surprised by the results. Among their observations were improved calf vitality; calves snuggling together to rest and stay warm; greater feed competition and intake; increased social and play behavior; and improved natural behavioral development.

The Royal Veterinary College in London conducted a survey of UK dairy farmers about calf management practices that was published in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2022. Feedback from 216 dairy farmers showed that individual calf housing had dropped from about 60% in 2010 to 38% in the current survey.

Only about 12% of the farms in the survey that used pair or group housing reported issues with cross-sucking. And some of the farms in the UK that have recently adopted pair or group housing have done so even though they do not sell milk to Tesco.

Tesco officials noted that their TSDG herds – which initially totaled around 700 in 2018 but now number about 400 – are paid a premium price for their milk via long-term contracts, “providing stability for farmers and allowing them to make long-term investments to become industry leading in animal health and welfare and environmental sustainability.”

Since the social rearing policy was adopted, the company’s market share in the UK grocery landscape has grown every year. As of December 2024, Tesco held 28.1% of the UK grocery market share, its highest in 7 years.

Tesco also received the “ Good Dairy Calf Award ” from Compassion in World Farming in recognition of the company’s efforts to improve socialization in calf rearing.

In addition to social housing, TWA standards include requirements that animals travel no more than 8 hours from farm to slaughter, and that all food animals must be pre-stunned prior to slaughter. Tesco also requires dairies to perform surveillance and quarterly reporting of lactating-herd data on mobility/lameness; Johnes disease incidence; assisted calvings; hock lesions; and body condition scores.

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How to Create a Winning Winter Feeding Playbook

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Cold, snow, wind, and more – winter in the northern climates brings extra challenges for dairies and their animals.

“We think a lot about heat stress, but cold stress also is a factor on many dairies,” stated Dr. Heather Dann, President of the W.H. Miner Institute, Chazy, N.Y. on a recent episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt podcast.

Fortunately, lactating cows produce a lot of heat. Dr. Bill Weiss, Professor Emeritus at Ohio State University, said on a recent episode of the Dairy Podcast Show, that a cow producing 100 pounds of milk per day will generate 40 mcal of excess heat per day. How much is 40 mcal in relatable terms? About the same amount of heat energy as 1.5 gallons of gasoline.

“In the summer, that’s a problem, because that excess heat must be dissipated,” said Weiss. “But in cold conditions, it can help keep cows warm.” In fact, he said the lower critical temperature – at which their body needs to make adjustments to maintain core body temperature – may be as low as -20°F in good shelter.

But while the rumen may act as a terrific furnace for lactating cows, that’s not the case for dry cows and young stock. Weiss said their lower critical temperature is more likely in the neighborhood of 10-20°F. Accommodations that should be made for them include:

Housing and shelter – Preweaned calves need deeper bedding and the ability to nest to stay warm. Older heifers and dry cows, too, can endure winter conditions more successfully with better shelter. “There’s a lot of cost to poor facilities,” declared Weiss. And even though lactating cows in free stalls are less susceptible to cold, Dann noted the importance of maintaining and utilizing curtained sidewalls to better shelter cows in harsh conditions and protect the function of equipment like waterers.
Body condition monitoring – Fat is an excellent insulator, and Weiss cautioned against heifers and dry cows losing condition through the winter. “We know losing body condition in the dry period definitely puts cows at risk for metabolic problems,” he said. “For heifers and dry cows, you might have to improve forage quality and reduce fiber a little bit to get the energy they need to stay warm. But as soon as it turns warm, we’ve got to lower energy intake to keep body condition steady.
Increased nutrients – Lactating cows often naturally consume more dry matter in cold conditions. Dann said calf nutrition needs can be accommodated by increasing feeding frequency or adjusting the type and/or quantity of milk replacer. For dry cows, Weiss advised their energy requirements will typically increase by 10-20%, requiring a bump of 1-2 mcal net energy/head/day. “The source of the nutrients, as long as it’s digestible, doesn’t matter that much,” he stated. “You’re not going to make those dry cows fatter or produce a bigger calf. It’s just going into metabolic cycles to produce heat.”

Additionally, Dann cautioned that one of the dangers of extremely cold weather is frozen silage. If big chunks find their way to the lactating ration, sorting and TMR inconsistency can result. She advised defacing silo faces 6 inches or more at feed-out to prevent frozen chunks, and managing plastic covers on silo faces to prevent snow melt that creates frozen patches.

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Keep Replacement Heifers Thriving this Winter: Three Expert Tips You Need to Know

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 17:51:20 GMT

When dairy farmers think about animals impacted by cold stress, calves are often the first that come to mind. Their smaller size and limited fat reserves make them especially vulnerable to harsh winter conditions. However, it’s important to remember that cold stress doesn’t just affect calves—it can also significantly impact heifers.

Younger animals, like post-weaned heifers, are particularly susceptible as they have less developed coats, and higher energy needs to maintain their core body temperature. For dairy farmers, understanding the signs of cold stress and implementing preventative measures across all age groups in the herd is essential for maintaining health, productivity, and growth during the winter months. While calves often receive extra attention, ensuring proper care for heifers and older animals can make a big difference in the overall success of the operation during the colder seasons. For these replacements to grow and thrive, dairy farmers must take proactive steps to prevent cold stress and minimize associated health issues.

Daniela Roland, dairy extension educator at Pennsylvania State University, provides the following tips for providing adequate care to replacement heifers during frigid temps.

Understanding Cold Stress

While lactating cows are relatively tolerant of cold temperatures and can handle conditions below 18°F when equipped with a heavy winter coat, young heifers face challenges at temperatures below 32°F.

“Normally, a heifer’s winter coat, plus their natural metabolic processes, like rumination, can keep them warm,” Roland says. “But during extremely cold temperatures - especially if there is inadequate housing, lack of dry bedding, insufficient nutrition, or a combination of these - heifers may experience cold stress.”

Housing and Bedding

Dry, well-bedded pens are essential to help heifers tolerate winter conditions. Bedding materials like straw, shavings, or corn fodder should be clean, dry, and absorbent to retain body heat.

“One way to test the dryness of heifer pens is the knee test,” Roland says. “To do this, try dropping to your knees in several areas around the pen. If your knees are still clean and dry after 10–15 seconds of kneeling on the bedding, then the bedding is sufficient. But if your pants are dirty or damp, more fresh bedding should be added.”

Wet or muddy coats reduce the insulating properties of a heifer’s hair, also increasing their susceptibility to cold stress. Excess manure or mud buildup should prompt farmers to add fresh bedding or clean pens more frequently.

Additionally, heifer housing should allow for adequate air exchange without creating drafts. Insufficient ventilation can increase the risk of respiratory diseases like bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which costs farmers an average of $252 per case and can delay a heifer’s growth and first calving, according to Roland.

Proper heifer housing is another critical factor to consider during cold weather. Housing should shield heifers from environmental extremes such as harsh winds, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures while maintaining a comfortable and healthy environment.

One key aspect of housing is ventilation. While barns and shelters must prevent drafts, they should also allow for proper air exchange to reduce humidity and prevent the buildup of harmful gases like ammonia. It’s essential to monitor heifers for signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, labored breathing, or nasal discharge, as these could indicate inadequate airflow or other health issues. If respiratory problems are detected, improving ventilation should be a priority.

Heifers housed outside also need special attention.

“Heifers housed outdoors need to have access to either natural or constructed windbreaks,” Roland adds. “Wind significantly reduces the actual temperature, increasing cold stress on heifers.”

Nutrition for Winter Growth

In colder weather, heifers expend more energy to stay warm, making proper nutrition vital. Farmers should aim for daily growth rates of 1.75 pounds for large breeds and 1.3 pounds for smaller breeds to ensure heifers reach optimal breeding size.

“Data has shown that undersized heifers may calve later than the desired age range of 22 to 24 months. These smaller heifers tend to be more prone to calving problems and less productive,” Roland says. “Farmers should work with their nutritionist to make sure that their heifers have enough energy in their diet to help protect them from the cold weather and to ensure proper growth.”

Water Access

Water availability is another critical factor in winter care. Frozen or excessively cold water can limit intake, reducing feed consumption and energy availability.

“Dairy heifers between the ages of 5 and 24 months will drink about 3.8 to 9.6 gallons of water per day,” Roland adds. “Monitoring for frozen waterers is important during the extreme colder temperatures.”

Why It Matters

Investing in proper heifer care during winter ensures these replacements grow to their genetic potential and transition into productive lactating cows. By focusing on housing, bedding, nutrition, and water, farmers can safeguard their herd’s health, prevent growth setbacks, and optimize future productivity. Taking these steps helps ensure your heifers thrive, even in the coldest months.

Four Keys to Autofeeder Success

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:54:00 GMT

Thinking of installing an autofeeder to raise your calves? If so, a steep learning curve awaits you, which hopefully will result in a successful system that you – and your calves – will love.

Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor in Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University, warns the transition must be a highly intentional process. On a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show , Cantor shared her advice, based on years of research with autofed calves.

“It’s a very complex social housing system for calves,” she declared. “In my opinion, it’s probably the hardest one to implement. But once you get it right, it’s awesome, and you can really reap the benefits.”

Cantor shared her personal “keys to the kingdom” of autofeeders and group housing, which included:

Health excellence already in place – All the boxes must be checked in terms of calf health, in terms of “perfect colostrum management” and low disease prevalence. Cantor advised that passive transfer of immunity should average 90% or higher – above the industry standard -- to avoid respiratory disease. “You shouldn’t have any major problems in your hutch calves before you make the switch,” she advised.
A willingness to feed more milk – “If you want to invest in this system, and then only feed 6 liters of milk a day, you’re probably going to want to rip it out in a couple of years,” she declared. Calves in group pens are more active and use more energy, so thus need more nutrients to both grow and build immunity to fight disease challenges. Daily allotments and meal size both are huge behavior components of the systems. “Meal size matters more than anything,” Cantor added. She said if calves are only allotted .5 liter per meal, they’re not satisfied and will be motivated to cross-suck other calves. Her advice on meal size: 1.5 liters or more.
Strategic progression – One of the beauties of autofeeders is their customizable feeding capability for each individual calf. Cantor advised long, gradual step-down weaning over the course of several weeks. “You can tell the calves that have been weaned really slowly on an autofeeder,” she stated. “They’ve got that really nice, open rib shape and the rumen is primed and ready to go.” Staging stressors -- like castrating and dehorning -- rather than doing them all at the same time, also can keep calves eating and growing consistently.
The right comforts and care – “Who is going to be your calf manager?” posed Cantor. “It’s got to be someone who knows how to see sick calves, because you can’t rely on the calf feeder anymore to spot them. That new person needs to be willing to look at both the calves, and the autofeeder data, to make decisions.” Facilities also are critical, including excellent ventilation and bedding management. Cantor advises strongly against slatted floors in calf barns, because they don’t accommodate calves’ natural instincts to nestle, especially in winter. “Unfortunately, those calves get sick the minute they’re stressed by anything,” she said. “I see a lot of farms pull out autofeeders that have slatted floors, because the combination just doesn’t work all that well.”

Group size also matters. Cantor said studies from Europe – where autofeeders have been in use the longest – have indicated that housing calves in groups larger than 15 calves per pen/nipple increases the risk of respiratory disease, even with adequate bedding and resting space.

To promote smaller groups, Cantor advises producers to sell off their bottom-end heifers before they ever go on the autofeeder. “Instead of putting all that money into that calf that increases the risk of everyone else getting sick, sell her,” she suggested. “Then, put all your resources into the top end, and keep them healthy.”

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Passing the Torch from One Generation to the Next at Steinhurst Dairy

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:40:08 GMT

The speech “So God Made a Farmer,” given by Paul Harvey in 1978 to the National FFA Organization, tugs at every farmer’s heart. After all, it is both admirable and an honor when a child wants to be just like their parents when they grow up. Ohio dairy farmers Kurt and Robin Steiner can attest to their brimming pride when it was announced over the loudspeaker on senior football night that their oldest son, Christian, would take over the family farm after he graduated college.

Like many farm kids, Christian, along with siblings, Nicole and Zach, were taught the values of hard work, commitment and sacrifice on their family farm, Steinhurst Dairy, in Creston. Ohio.

When they look across the landscape of their family farm, Christian and his siblings see bountiful blessings.

“You see the animals when they’re born, raised all the way up,” Christian says. “You see God’s creation every day you work outside, and you work with your family.”

Est. 1959

The importance of family runs deep for Christian, who represents the eighth generation of dairy farmers in Wayne County. His grandfather, great-grandfather and great uncles helped established Steinhurst Dairy on their current location in 1959. His father, Kurt, describes his childhood farm as a typical rural Midwestern dairy.

After graduating from Ohio State in 1988, Kurt decided to head west to California to take a job with Cargill. He worked there for two years before landing another job with a big chemical company, but deep down, Kurt knew Ohio was home. He returned to his family dairy in 1994. At the time, his family was milking 140 cows in a double-6 herringbone parlor.

Kurt came back with a team player attitude and knew he needed to be an asset to his father and his uncle, John.

“I came back with the mindset I needed to shut up and listen for a couple of years,” he says.

Slowly, the Steiner family started to expand their dairy that now sits at 600 milking cows and 1,100 acres of cropland.

Despite the hustle and bustle of farming, the Steiner’s took time to pause in 2002 to talk about succession planning and what it would take to bring Kurt and his younger brother, Eric, into the operation as partners. With the help of a family attorney, the Steiner’s put together an extensive succession plan that addressed death, buyout of partners, how long the younger generation would have to work before coming into the farm as a partner and so much more for their family dairy. This conversation is vital for any dairy operation, but the Steiner’s would realize just how beneficial it would be for them in the coming years.

Handling Grief

As if 2009 wasn’t hard enough with a lackluster dairy economy, life suddenly came to a halt for the Steiner family on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon when Kurt’s father passed away from a heart attack.

Crediting solid management, where every partner pulled their weight, and a life insurance policy the farm had on their father, the dairy was able to continue without additional headaches.

“Our dairy didn’t miss a beat as far as keeping things moving forward,” Kurt says. “You don’t plan for death, but it certainly can happen quickly.”

After their father’s death, Kurt and Eric became 54% owners and their uncle John, a 46% owner, which was outlined in the succession plan.

In 2016, John had a stroke. He was sidelined for a year, only to return for a few months before undergoing a heart valve replacement. The surgery unfortunately never allowed him to go back to work on the farm. However, his leadership continues to be appreciated by the partners today.

Just, two months ago, at the age of 52, Eric went in for prostate cancer surgery, returned home, went into cardiac arrest and passed away. Kurt recalls his last words to Eric before his surgery: “I love you. Don’t worry about coming back. We will take care of it.”

Although Kurt was referring to taking care of the dairy while his brother recovers, a life insurance policy helped take care of the farm. Kurt notes none of his business partners walked off the dairy like everyone had envisioned.

“You’re not going to be here forever, so you better have it together,” he adds.

Succession Planning Advice

Kurt readily admits his farm doesn’t have it all figured out when it comes to succession planning. He wholeheartedly believes the key ingredient is communication among the partners during the long process.

“If there’s no communication, it is never going to work,” he says.

Appreciating the younger generation’s drive and passion is something Kurt admires.

“Truthfully, I don’t think there is a greater joy than watching your kids want to take over what you’ve established,” he adds.

After graduating from Ohio State University – ATI in 2018 with a degree in dairy science, Christian oversees the calf and heifer program as well as fresh cow protocols for the farm.

According to Kurt, the farm’s culture also plays a part in succession planning because the next generation isn’t going to operate and run the family business the same hours and the same way as the previous. He believes establishing work-life balance illustrates to the younger generation they too can achieve the very same balance.

“When a kid sees dad was able to attend activities and come inside for supper, this all sets the stage for what’s next,” he notes. “If the old man is dragging down the attitude of everybody and never taking a break, why would the younger generation want to come back to work in an environment like that?”

It’s a blessing, Kurt adds, that Robin came from dairy roots.

“She understood it all from day one,” he notes. “Sometimes the spouses who are not from this kind of background watch their friends’ spouse join in on all the fun things over the weekend and if you’re spouse isn’t prepared for that, it can be a rough adjustment.”

Crediting a solid foundation built on faith and family, the Steiner’s have been able to work together on the family farm.

“If you can foster a positive culture in your operation, where members want to be together, then you realize this life is worthwhile is key,” Kurt adds.

Every quarter, the Steiner family gathers for management meetings where no finger pointing is allowed.

“Everyone is expected to come with ideas.”

Understanding it is easy to be pulled into different directions and put off conversations for another day, Kurt highly recommends not postponing transition planning for tomorrow.

“It could simply be too late,” he adds.

The one question Kurt says needs to be agreed on is the end objective for the farm.

“What is the future goal of the farm?” he questions. “If you figure that out, it makes the whole succession planning a lot easier because if everyone wants it to continue to the next generation, then you just have to figure out how to execute it.”

The key component is communication and defining expectations for all members, including non-farming family members.

“Have those uncomfortable conversations,” Robin says.

Those conversations the Steiner’s executed early on, along with 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.

Facility Focus: Can Your Employees Actually Detect These Equipment Issues?

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:44:17 GMT

Cracked hoses, worn-out inflations, air bleeds—these are just a few of the common problems that can pop up when maintaining milking equipment. If left unchecked, they can lead to costly downtime, compromised milk quality and even animal health issues.

But the real question is: are your milkers trained to detect these issues early before they escalate? Ernest Hovingh, extension veterinarian at Pennsylvania State University, provides the following tips when it comes to training employees to spot and solve milking equipment problems when the arise.

The Big Four

“Milkers should also be trained to assess the basic condition and function of the milking equipment,” Hovingh says. “Some of the most common things that they should be looking for include blocked air bleed vents, cracked pulsation (short air) tubes, twisted inflations, and pinched hoses. While this may seem like an extensive list of things to check, once a milker is trained to be observant for these things, it can become second nature and does not require a lot of dedicated time or effort.”

He suggests training milkers to identify the following issues:

Blocked Air Vents – Air vents in the claw or in the inflation are intended to create a deliberate ‘leak’ of air into the claw, to promote milk flow away from the claw and teat and into the milk hose, according to Hovingh. Occasionally, these vents can become blocked with debris, disrupting the flow of milk and increasing the risk of environmental mastitis.

Hovingh recommends training milkers to identify where these vents are located and how to check to make sure they are functioning. “A small hiss of air can usually be heard being admitted into a functional vent, but if they are not sure if a vent is functioning properly, a small piece of a [milking] glove can be held up to the vent. If the vent is open, the glove should ‘stick’ to the vent.
Cracked Tubes – Another common equipment problem Hovingh often sees are cracked short air tubes. These defective tubes can interfere with the pulsation of the liner and can prevent the vacuum from working correctly.

“Milkers should be checking to see that the short air tubes are in good condition when they wash the milking clusters at the end of milking, but they should also be listening for vacuum leaks and looking for cracked tubes while milking,” Hovingh says. “Proactively changing the short air tubes on a regular schedule should also be part of the parlor maintenance routine.”
Worn-out Inflations - During scheduled maintenance days, milking equipment companies will often provide a service of placing new liners into an additional set of shells so that the milkers simply only replace the shell and inflation as one unit. However, it’s important to ensure that inflations don’t become worn-out or misaligned.

“Milkers should be checking to see that the alignment indicators on the inflations are lined up properly at least at the beginning of each milking,” Hovingh says. “Even with shell and inflations that have alignment notches, there can be some very obvious twisting problems with these units.”
Pinched Hoses – Hoses that are too long or too short can often become pinched off during milking or wash cycles. This can result in reduced milk flow or un-sanitized equipment.

“Milkers should be trained to watch for any restrictions/deformations in any hoses and immediately report them to the parlor manager,” Hovingh adds. “Regular inspections of all hoses every 2-4 weeks, and a regular replacement schedule are useful to prevent problems and allow for early identification.”

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Choline: A Transition Staple that Helps Calves, Too

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 20:13:09 GMT

It’s a bit of a “wonder nutrient” in dairy nutrition. Choline is neither a vitamin nor a mineral, but an essential element in dairy nutrition, nonetheless.

This water-soluble micronutrient it commonly grouped in the B-vitamin family. Nearly all mammals synthesize choline, but must also consume it in their diets to ensure adequate levels.

Feeding choline to ruminants was challenging until rumen-protected formulations became available a few decades ago. Without protection, choline is quickly degraded in the rumen before it can be absorbed for benefit. Encapsulation of choline allows it to pass through the rumen into the small intestine, where it can be absorbed and utilized.

Since the advent of rumen-protected choline (RPC), dairy researchers have explored its effect on lactating dairy cows in great depth. Dr. Jose Santos, researcher in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, has declared RPC a vital nutrient for transition cows, due its positive effects on liver function, phospholipid synthesis, and nutrient transport as cows need to pull out all the metabolic stops to launch successfully into lactation.

In a retrospective analysis of published studies examining RPC supplementation to more than 1,300 transition cows, Santos and his colleagues found that the practice led to: (1) an increase in average energy-corrected milk of 4.85 lb./day; (2) a significant increase in milk component yield; and (3) significant deceases in the incidence of retained placenta and mastitis.

Santos and his team have continued to study choline in greater depth, including its beneficial effects on helping cows cope with heat stress. Along the way, they discovered another interesting finding – for calves.

“We’ve shown that male calves born to dams supplemented with rumen-protected choline and fed colostrum from similarly treated dams displayed improved immunoglobulin absorption,” he stated. “These same calves exhibited reduced inflammatory responses when exposed to bacterial compounds simulating infectious disease.”

As they followed those calves from choline-supplemented dams through life, the University of Florida researchers found that they grew faster than their herd mates not exposed to choline in-utero, at a rate of 0.11 lb./day. As a result, they were 79 lb. heavier at first calving. What’s more, they produced an average of 1,155. more milk in their first lactations.

Dr. Heather White, researcher in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently published a study that looked specifically at the outcomes of calves in the beef production chain after their in-utero exposure to choline.

The Wisconsin team examined the effect of the feeding of RPC to pregnant Holstein dams on the resultant growth, feed efficiency (FE), metabolism, and carcass quality of their Holstein X Angus offspring. Of the 47 calves born in the study, 17 were male and 30 were female. The dams were divided into 4 feeding groups – a control group receiving no supplemental choline, and three supplemented groups with RPC fed at various doses.

White and her colleagues found that RPC supplementation to dams produced calves – regardless of sex – with significantly higher daily gain; hip and wither height; kidney, pelvic, and heart fat at slaughter; and marbling score. The calves from choline-supplemented dams also had improved gut integrity markers when facing bloat challenges.

These benefits were realized despite the calves having never been fed RPC themselves.

“Considering the importance of marbling in carcass quality, the potential of RPC to positively influence offspring performance could be beneficial for further enhancing value of beef X dairy cattle at slaughter,” observed White.

Facility Focus: The Five Musts of Managing Data

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:08:46 GMT

One of the best, not-so-well-kept secrets of today’s successful dairy farms is this: Dive into the data. With technology influencing nearly every aspect of modern operations, managing data on a dairy is crucial for optimizing production efficiency, ensuring animal health and boosting overall farm profitability. But, just like the old saying goes, you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

According to Adam Griffin, Proposition Manager for Digital Farming at Lely North America, mastering the intricacies of data management has become a vital role in today’s operations. By effectively managing data, farmers can make better-informed decisions, track performance metrics and identify areas for improvement. He provides the following tips when it comes to managing metrics on the farm:

1. Do Your Homework – “One of the first things a farmer should do before investing in technology is taking the time to do their homework,” Griffin says. “This involves understanding the pros and cons of different systems, consulting with other producers who have already integrated similar technologies, and working with consultants to determine which systems will be the best fit for their specific needs.”

2. Have Good Wi-Fi – While not every piece of technology used on the farm requires Wi-Fi, having a strong internet connection is crucial for effective data management.

“Many of today’s systems either store or operate in the cloud. This means you and your key stakeholders need reliable internet access to retrieve that information. Additionally, there are a number of farm solutions that utilize mobile apps to work around the farm operation that benefit from strong Wi-Fi/Cellular coverage” Griffin says. “Although internet access has improved in rural communities, it remains limited. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure your internet provider can deliver the connection you need.”

3. Keep Up with the Updates – Technology is great when it works, but incredibly frustrating when it doesn’t. One way to ensure systems are working efficiently and effectively is to stay current on system updates.

“It’s incredibly important to stay on top of these updates,” Griffin emphasizes. “Think of it like a tractor or skid loader – it has to be maintained regularly in order for it to work optimally. Same with these systems. If you miss an update or two, it doesn’t take long for it to create a weak link. And when these weak links break, they can cause a lot of downtime and headaches not only for the farmer, but for the consultants as well. Treat these systems as any other piece of farm equipment and make sure they are maintained regularly.”

4. Backup Your Storage - “One of the biggest musts when it comes to managing data is making sure your information is backed up,” Griffin says. “You never know when a piece of technology is going to shut down on you, so it’s important to have that information backed up so you can access it later on.”

Griffin recommends storing information in a cloud-based system whenever possible and collaborating with your system provider to ensure proper data storage.

“With the volume of today’s farm data and the value of that information- storage is not something to take lightly anymore,” he adds.

5. Keep Data Secure – “Just like backups, data security is becoming increasingly important,” Griffin says. “We’re living in a connected world where everything is available online.. And while that can make things more convenient, it also opens the door to new risks.”

With the value of farm information increasing and more operations capitalizing on automation, Griffin says the need for high-level data security is growing.

“Make sure your information is in the right hands,” he adds. “Keep passwords private, only allow authorized people access to on-farm computers, collaborate closely with your system providers and consider investing in additional software for enhanced security measures.”

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Sludge Advice: Basics of Lagoons and Anaerobic Digester Clean Out

Fri, 03 May 2024 12:00:00 GMT

By Sarah Fronczak, Michigan State University Extension

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.

What is sludge?
Sludge is the residue of biological manure treatment that accumulates in lagoons and digesters. It is lower in organic matter and higher in solids and minerals because of the longer treatment time in the manure storage structure. This also makes sludge denser than manure. Sludge has a lower odor intensity than manure.

Why clean out the sludge?
Sludge storage in the facility reduces the treatment volume of the structure. When mixed with the liquid portion of manure, sludge can increase the nutrient content of recycled liquid pumped out of the facility. Issues with barn air quality and pathogen issues have also been noted in manure storage facilities. Finally, the high levels of zinc and copper in digester sludge can affect the microbe populations and the treatment performance.

How can you measure sludge volume and nutrients?
Test the depth in multiple locations across the facility as some areas will be deeper than others. To measure sludge depth, use a weighted plate or disc with a rope attached such as a Sludge Judge type of product or an acoustic tool like a fish finder. Sludge sampling can be done with a clamshell sampler, a Sludge Judge, or other custom solutions. Send these samples off to get tested by a lab. Plan to apply the sludge to fields that show a need for the nutrients in the sludge, particularly copper, zinc and phosphorus. Expect the cost of collecting information on sludge depth and nutrients to cost around $325 per million gallon according to a study by the University of Missouri.

How should you clean out the sludge?
In lagoons it is common to use PTO powered pumps and floating pumps or boats. Dredging and dewatering is done less often but can be used if sludge needs to travel a significant distance to be spread.

Covered lagoons and digesters can be more difficult to pump out. Submerged pump-out lines with ports as well as sludge suspension and pumping are usually the best method in this situation. In some cases, partial or complete removal of the cover may be necessary. It is estimated that the cost to agitate and land apply is $151,000 or approximately $0.0188/gallon at a million gallons a day.

Lagoon solids removal can be tricky especially if there is a high level of solids in the sludge. This may result in the need to dilute, agitate and dilute again before pumping and land application.

Finally, train employees to be safe around manure gases that can be released when agitated. Other potential hazards include PTO shafts, confined spaces and pressurized hoses.

Facility Focus: Five Strategies to Reduce Calf Heat Stress

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:39:37 GMT

Excessive heat can take a toll on every animal on the farm – especially the lactating herd. But one group that’s typically overlooked when it comes to heat stress are often the youngest members of the herd.

“When we think of the effects the environment has on calves, cold stress is often the more common concern, especially in more temperate climates. However, soaring summer temperatures, hot sun, and high humidity can cause heat stress in calves and heifers just as in the milking herd,” said Coleen Jones and Jud Heinrichs, a former research associate and professor emeritus of dairy nutrition, respectfully, at Pennsylvania State University.

While calves are often better at coping with heat compared to their adult counterparts, it’s important to know what methods help combat heat stress. As temperatures begin to creep their way higher, the duo recommends the following five strategies to help keep calves cool and healthy during the heat of the summer.

Provide Shade – Just like sitting under a tree during the heat of the day, shade provides relief from direct sunlight, helping to prevent overheating. Studies have shown providing shade reduces the temperature inside hutches and lowers calf body temperature and respiration rate. Consider installing shade cloth above outdoor hutches to calves combat the heat.

Keep Air Moving – Even a slight breeze can help make a stifling day more bearable. When air moves across the skin, it helps carry away the heat your body generates. The same can be said for calves. According to the duo, calf housing should be positioned to utilize prevailing winds and should incorporate as many openings as possible to take advantage of natural air movement. Air movement can be enhanced by opening vents on hutches and placing a block under the back wall.

Keep ‘em Hydrated – With increased temperatures comes increased respiration. In turn, this can cause calves to become dehydrated more quickly. To combat this, be sure to offer clean water to calves early on. In addition, water buckets also may need to be filled more frequently in the summer, particularly for calves nearing weaning and those who have recently been weaned.

Make Sure Grain Stays Fresh – According to Jones and Heinrichs, calves will naturally tend to eat less grain during periods of heat stress. To keep calves eating, consider offering only small handfuls of started at each feeding until calves begin to eat. Remove uneaten starter and clean out wet or moldy feed daily to maintain freshness. A divider between the grain bucket and water bucket can help keep starter fresh longer by limiting the amount of transfer between the two buckets.

Work Calves in the Morning – Throughout the summer, the early morning hours are typically the coolest part of the day. To help reduce heat stress for both calves and employees, the Jones and Heinrichs recommend completing strenuous tasks during the early hours of the day.

“As with other classes of cattle, it is wise to handle calves in the morning so that stressful activities, such as dehorning, vaccinations, pen moves, or transportation, can be completed when both calf body temperatures and environmental temperatures are at their lowest point for the day,” the duo state.

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VES-Artex Unveils New Cow Cooling Technology: Intelligent Soaker 2.0

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 21:43:10 GMT

While the weather has certainly been mild this winter, thermometers will soon begin to boil as summer temperatures make their way across the country. With the warmer temperatures comes the increased risk of heat stress, which can contribute to a wide array of health and production setbacks for dairy cattle.

To combat this, 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. The system utilizes intelligent sensor technology to spray water when a cow is present based on temperature setpoints.

VES-Artex says that key features of the Intelligent Soaker 2.0 include easy installation, compatibility with existing systems and durable stainless-steel nozzles. In addition, the system’s cow-friendly LED light indicator simplifies monitoring, signaling when units are active and when they are in dwell mode.

The Intelligent Soaker 2.0 behaves similarly to a traditional soaker with both on and off intervals. Upon sensing a cow, the unit will begin soaking for 45 seconds, then it will enter a dwell mode where it won’t soak, even if a new cow comes within its range for 5 minutes.

“The Intelligent Soaker 2.0 addresses the dual challenge of animal welfare and sustainability,” says Dr. Mario Mondaca, Senior Technical Applications and Research Engineer at VES-Artex. “By minimizing water waste, farms can achieve a more sustainable operation while providing much needed heat abatement for the herd.”

According to the company, the new technology can help reduce water usage by 50%-70% when compared to traditional soaking systems. Unlike conventional soakers that operate continuously even after temperature thresholds are met, the Intelligent Soaker 2.0 optimizes water usage by delivering targeted cooling precisely when and where it’s needed.

“If you look at how the cow spends her day, she is feeding and in the alleys around 28% of the time,” Dr. Mondaca says. “This is why we are seeing reductions close to 70% on some days when compared to a system running all day long on a timer.”

With water conservation becoming a key focus for many dairy producers, the high-tech soaking system could be a compelling solution to conserve water and increase sustainability all while maximizing cow cooling.

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Facility Focus: 4 Tips to Manage Ventilation During the Off-Season

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:32:27 GMT

Farm Journal’s Smart Farming Week is an annual week-long emphasis on innovation in agriculture. The goal is to encourage you to explore and prioritize the technology, tools and practices that will help you farm smarter. Innovation today ensures an efficient, productive and sustainable tomorrow.

It’s no secret - winter weather can be a bear to deal with. The extreme temperature swings and harsh wind chills tack on extra work dairy farmers just don’t have time for. Couple that with the possibility of heavy snow and you’ve got the recipe for a massive headache.

Keeping cows, calves and employees comfortable during the winter months can often feel like a balancing act. However, according to Mike Wolf, DVM and consulting veterinarian for VES-Artex, finding the right combination between keeping animals warm while also providing adequate air exchange is essential.

To help avoid the winter ventilation woes, Wolf says producers should focus on the following four areas for off-season ventilation success.

4 Focus Points

Even Fresh Air Distribution – Stale, stagnant air is a recipe for poor respiratory health. Therefore, it’s critical to provide adequate ventilation and effectively remove warm, humid, contaminated air from the building.

“We want to make sure that we are bringing fresh air in and that it’s being distributed evenly throughout the facility,” Wolf says.

Prevent Freezing – If you’ve ever had to scrape frozen alleyways, you know just how not-so-fun of a job it can be. Additionally, it can be uncomfortable and unsafe for both animals and employees to walk on. Wolf recommends keeping a keen eye on barn thermometers to ensure temperatures don’t drop below freezing.

“Watch areas in the barn where fresh air is coming in,” he adds. “Temperatures tend to drop in those spots and can freeze alleyways or stalls.”

Control Dew Points – Managing moisture levels is another key piece to keeping cows healthy and comfortable. According to Wolf, it’s important to keep dew points lower than the external ambient temperature to help prevent condensation.

“Controlling dew points and humidity levels helps prevent dampness and dripping within the barns,” he adds. “This dampness adds discomfort to cows as well as the people working with them.”

Even during subfreezing temperatures, low level air exchange must occur to help remove the moisture continuously produced by animals.

Maintain Air Quality – Without good air quality, cow health is bound to suffer. That’s why maintaining adequate air exchange is a necessity. As a rule of thumb, facilities should have a minimum of 4 to 8 air changes per hour to help lower respiratory disease risk.

“In terms of ammonia, we want less than 25 ppm for cows and 5 ppm for calves in our facilities no matter the time of year, but especially during winter,” Wolf adds. “This ensures the barn environment remains free from noxious gasses, promoting respiratory health and overall animal well-being.”

Bonus Tip - Conduct Fan Maintenance

Despite the bitter temperatures and blustery winds, the summer heat will soon be knocking on our doors. According to Wolf, winter is a good time to give ventilation equipment a detailed inspection and provide thorough cleaning.

“Take time to conduct fan maintenance such as inspecting motors, belts and tensioners and replace any damaged elements,” he says. “At minimum, fans should be cleaned at least twice a year.”

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Facility Focus: The Best Way to Better Manage Group Maternity Pens for Calmer Calvings

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 21:46:57 GMT

Maternity pens can often feel like a merry-go-round for dairy producers to manage. New calves are born then moved, cows and heifers are constantly being shuffled in and out, and farm employees are routinely checking in to monitor herd health. To put it simply, maternity pens are chaotic.

According to Emily Fread, extension educator at Pennsylvania State University, cow comfort should always be at the forefront of every producer’s mind, and the maternity pen is no exception. She notes that the best way to keep animals within the maternity pen calm and collected is by working to minimize stress and provide privacy. To do so, she recommends the following tips.

Plan Ahead

Every dairy producer has experienced a calving boom. These events can be described as a period when it seems like every cow on the farm calves at once. According to Fread, it’s important to not only design maternity pens to handle a typical calving month, but also a pen that can withstand these booms.

“It’s common for farms to experience swings in calving. For example, farms may have more cows calve in late spring or early summer because of reproductive troubles during heat stress. Because of this, calving areas should accommodate at least 120% of the regular calving rate,” she notes.

Minimize Movement

Group maternity pens are convenient for housing a large number of expectant cows at the same time. However, they don’t allow for much privacy, which can add unnecessary stress when an animal begins to calve. To minimize this, it may be necessary to move the cow to an individual pen for more peace and quiet, but it is important to do so in a timely manner.

“With group maternity pens, it is essential to minimize social stress as much as possible, as competition can occur in this setting,” Fread says. “Ideally, if a farm moves cows to a new pen for calving, this should be done before labor starts. Moving the animal during labor can extend labor time, which could increase the risk of dystocia.”

Cows have been shown to begin seeking privacy from herd mates around 4 hours before calving. Ideally, cows should be moved to an individual pen before labor begins. If an animal begins to calve beforehand, she should be moved during the early signs of labor. Moving cows once labor has started to progress delays calving and reduces lying time, increasing the risk of dystocia.

Manage Stocking Density

Overcrowded maternity pens can present a major problem when it comes to creating a calm calving environment. Too many animals can lead to increased levels of stress, poorer pen conditions and enhance the risk of injury to both the cow and newborn calf.

“Stocking density in the pre-fresh pen is very important,” Fread says. “Dry matter intake naturally decreases before calving, so it is essential to give cows adequate space at the feed bunk so feed intake does not fall even more. It is recommended that the feed bunk be stocked at 80% or less, meaning when every cow is eating, there should still be 20% of space left; this should equal about 0.76m per cow.”

In addition to providing adequate space, it’s important to also consider which animals are grouped together. According to Fread, it may be necessary to separate first calf heifers from older cows to create a calmer environment.

“Mixing heifers and cows in a close-up dry or maternity pen can cause unnecessary stress for the heifers,” Fread says. “One study showed that in mixed-group housing during the transition period, first lactation animals are displaced from the feed bunk more frequently. Separating heifers and cows for the entire transition period, meaning three weeks before and three weeks after calving, can help alleviate added stress for the heifers.”

Additional Tips

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. Some of these tips include:

Utilizing technology, such as activity monitors or video cameras, to watch for signs of labor.
Minimize noise and foot-traffic disturbances.
Creating a secluded area within the group pen where a cow can feel more isolated from her penmates.
Have clear calving management protocols set in place.
Consulting with your farm’s veterinarian or calf consultant for design recommendations or advice on how to update facilities.

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The Plywood Guide (And 6 Other Helpful Calf Barn Tips)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:27:28 GMT

In either group or individual pens, preweaned dairy calves need 30-32 square feet of resting space – about the size of a sheet of plywood – according to animal housing consultant Harold House with Dairy Logix , a firm based in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

On a recent episode of The Healthy Calf Podcast from the Veal Farmers of Ontario, House shared this and other insights based on his many years of experience as an agricultural engineer working with calf housing and ventilation systems.

He advised when applying the “plywood rule” to group pens, be sure that square footage is allowed in the actual pen where the calves reside, not the entire room. “It’s important consider that’s the bedded area; don’t include the scrape alley,” he said. “More [resting space] is always better, but that’s a good place to start.”

Whether you’re building a new calf barn or retrofitting an existing structure, he shared additional tips for excellent calf housing:

Choose your ventilation method carefully – Calves need 4 air exchanges per hour to maintain good air quality. That might be possible with natural ventilation like curtained sidewalls if a building is situated to capture prevailing winds. If not – which is often the case with existing buildings – mechanical ventilation might be the best option, even though it can be a bit more expensive to install and operate.

You probably need a PPV tube – Both naturally and mechanically ventilated barns can benefit from the additional ventilation support of a positive pressure ventilation (PPV) system that draws fresh air from the outside and distributes it evenly through the building via a hole system in the tube. House said PPV systems are especially helpful in the winter in cold climates because they help facilitate air movement without creating drafts.

Use heat sparingly – With adequate nutrition, bedding, air quality, and possibly calf coats, calves can do very well in cold barns that have little to no supplemental heat. House advised making heating decisions in the interest of the calves, not the comfort of their caretakers. He said an ideal temperature target for the interior of heated calf barns in the winter is 4-10°C [40-50°F]. “Use the heat as a ventilation tool to dry out the air so we can achieve our fresh air exchanges,” he stated.

Think at the calf level – Remember that calves reside at a lower level than the humans who care for them, especially when they are lying down. Get down to their level to check air quality. Use the “knee test” by kneeling in their bedding to see if is dry. Observe calves’ behavior – are they coughing or huddling together to avoid drafts?

Offer solid surfaces – House said calves prefer to rest against solid surfaces, which could explain why calves in group pens tend to rim the exterior walls when they’re lying down. He advised using solid partitions between individual pens, which provide the extra advantage of preventing drafts. In group pens, he suggested surrounding each pen with a walkway, so calves are not resting against exterior walls that could draw out a lot of their body heat in wintry weather.

Ask for help – When you work daily in the same building, you become accustomed to its odors, humidity level, and overall air quality. Inviting a third party to evaluate your barn can provide an outside assessment of those factors. House said many veterinarians are well-trained in ventilation and housing systems. Assistance from consultants and university Extension specialists might also be available. Another excellent source of information is The Dairyland Initiative website from the University of Wisconsin.

While he specializes in ventilation systems, House said raising healthy, thrifty calves depends on a combination of factors, that also include nutrition and other management factors. “Ventilation is just one piece of the puzzle,” he stated. “All the pieces have to fit together.”

For more on calf health, read: