The Dairyland Initiative

Winter proof your ventilation system by making sure it meets the 4 components: 1️⃣ Sufficient air exchange to remove heat, dust, noxious gases, and moisture from barn 2️⃣ Target air speed in the animals’ resting microenvironment 3️⃣ Works well across seasons 4️⃣ Economical for the farm Read more in this Hoard's Dairyman article: https://lnkd.in/gWKJx5VT

Thoughtful design and management practices lead to increased milk production and labor efficiency in robotic milking herds. Episode 18 of The Dairyland Initiative Podcast discusses the factors associated with high performing AMS herds, with topcis ranging from heifer and fresh cow management to pellet allocation and housing considerations. Find it on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts now! https://lnkd.in/gZ39Y9ip

The Dairyland Initiative and FAPM team participated in the School of Veterinary Medicine’s strategic planning summit this week. We discussed the current strengths of our programs and identified opportunities to better serve our constituents, among other key priorities. We had a lot of fun brainstorming in groups and learning more about the great work that is being done here at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine ✍🏼💭🗣️

Since cold air isn't able to hold as much water, and calves aren't able to generate enough heat to help with thermal buoyancy, you may notice more dampness in your calf barns during the winter. A proper ventilation system, supplemented with a PPTV system, can help distribute air evenly throughout the barn and remove dampness. This article from Hoard's Dairyman talks about the role of ventilation and housing in keeping calf barns fresh during the winter: https://lnkd.in/gw_MM5wv

Thanks for making our article a Progressive Dairy Top 25 Article of 2024! Check out #20 on this list, "Protect Lying Time by Reducing How Long Cows Wait to be Milked." 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnjVWcHd

The Dairyland Initiative Podcast kicks off 2025 with Episode 17! How long do cows wait to be milked in a AMS? What factors influence how long cows wait to be milked? We look at the milking time behavior of cows in a guided- and free-flow AMS and discuss design strategies to minimize milk wait times. Watch or listen to now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. https://lnkd.in/gZ39Y9ip

We talk about the importance of ventilating barns to displace displace heat, dust, noxious gases, and moisture, but what's actually in the air, depending on where you are on the farm? Researchers from Colorado State University looked at air quality in a tunnel ventilated freestall barn and parlor. Read about their preliminary finds in this Hoard's Dairyman article: https://lnkd.in/g6qWdA2t

With colder temperatures, it's important to remember that post-weaned heifers are susceptible to cold stress too. Keeping their coats dry by providing adequate shelter and bedding, and meeting their nutritional needs can help them when temperatures drop below freezing. Read more in this Penn State Extension article: https://lnkd.in/gfgW4-mT

Courtney & Dr. Cook had an incredible week in Helsinki, Finland at the 4dBarn Dairy Welfare Seminar. They had an action-packed week full of connection, conversation, and collaboration. Take a look at their week in photos 📸🐮❄️

Calf transportation is an important welfare topic in the dairy industry that this Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Signal highlights, with specific focus on how early life transport affects calves and how we can minimize transportation stress. Watch now at https://lnkd.in/gkVgCwG2.