Not only did he notice a major difference in cow comfort, but the project also positively impacted milk production on his dairy operation.
“We used the grant to help put fans and sprinklers in the holding area to improve our fresh cow group and pre-fresh groups. I saw the biggest difference in the cows and their mentality in the holding area. They have been much more calm and relaxed. They come into the holding area with a totally different manner. We’ve also had fewer fresh cow problems with the fans, sprinklers and heat abatement. We had fans, but it wasn’t nearly the volume [of air] that these big fans are getting moved over the cows.
After this project, we also did not experience the typical five or six pound summer fall-off in milk production. In the past, we would typically go strong from September and keep climbing all the way until June or July. Then, we would drop five or six pounds after two hot spells in a row. This year, we might have dropped a pound or two in the worst of the heat, but it wasn’t as drastic as it had been. It improved milk production because it allowed us to continue to grow – instead of having to recover our milk production. We continued to slide up. Before the project, we were in the 72-pound range, and right now, we’re pushing 82 pounds. I wouldn’t say it’s all a result of the heat abatement, but I would say it has been a very large portion of it,” Andy said.
Have you utilized one of the Center’s grant programs or worked with one of our consultants to make an improvement on your operation? We would love to hear your perspective. Email Emily Barge if you would be willing to share your thoughts!
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