by Brent Hershey, TunnelPlus
Production loss from heat stress has been identified as the number one problem in holding areas. The dairy industry continues to seek the ideal ventilation and cooling system for these areas. Producers are turning to more aggressive systems and automation to save labor costs and time and provide an environment that adapts to the cows’ needs at any time of the day or night. There are very few dairy farms that have adequate ventilation and cooling in their holding areas. Take a look at some of the problems in holding areas and options for keeping cows comfortable year round.
The Worst part of a cow’s day
Two or three times a day, cows are moved out of the open freestall barn with feed, water, and a roomy stall to be bunched together, to stand and wait to be milked. Crowded cows can easily cause temperatures to jump 20°F and more, quickly turning the air stale and steamy. Worse yet, these areas often have low ceilings and solid sidewalls that trap in heat. Compromised air quality causes immense problems and, at its worst, can suffocate cows.
For a better understanding of what your cows go through multiple times a day, it is important to experience it for yourself. Walk along with your cows, stand in the middle of your holding area, and see if you can stand there for 10 minutes without becoming uncomfortable. Carry a temperature probe along with you and record temperatures. No doubt, you will be surprised at the temperatures in the holding area.
A study performed on a holding area with vulvar implants showed a 2-3°F core body temperature spike every time cows were grouped in a holding area. This spike lasted approximately 90 minutes after they left the milking parlor. This happened three times a day, resulting in continual and systematic heat stress on the cows. Research shows that this stress causes serious problems, including pregnancy loss, milk production drop, and respiratory problems.
Year-round (12) month problem
We typically think of ventilation and cooling for the summer months. But holding areas need a 12-month system to address ventilation and cooling needs..Example a recent year on Dec 24th, 1 day before christmas it was high 66 – 69 degrees…typically a 20 degree temperature rise in a holding area, easily 88 degrees and stuffy poor air quality, If you track temperature levels in the spring and fall into winter months it is typical to see a 50 degree swing in temperature in a 24 hr period. easily causing production losses.
Extreme cold periods cause condensation and wet equipment, also setting up stuffy air and kicking off respiratory problems in cows.
An investment that pays
For these reasons, holding areas are a top priority for aggressive ventilation and cooling systems to be installed and utilized. Money spent here is a smart investment and is easily recouped in a few weeks to a few short months due to the increase in production.
Every cow on the farm benefits from improvements in the holding area. Some barns have large sprinklers to drench the cows with water while in the holding area. While this has improved the state of the cows in extreme temperatures, problems persist with these high water usage systems:
- Cows resist entering holding areas when this sprinkler system is on. The water gets in their ears, resulting in discomfort
- Wet cows have water running down their sides and onto their udders, transferring dirt and bacteria
- Excessive water is wasted running down the parlor floor, adding to the waste stream of the farm
System design is key
Seek professional help in designing a proper system for your holding area. There are specialists in the industry who can guide you in determining the correct number and layout of fans and also in proper controller mechanisms to operate your system.
Barn Structure
The first place to evaluate is the structure itself. A holding area must be able to breathe, thus, solid walls need to be opened up, and you should consider raising ceilings if possible. Adding insulation under the roof to stop radiant heat is something else to consider when working toward a more comfortable holding area. A hot roof can work like an oven broiler on the cows, easily adding 5 – 10°F.
FANS
Add fans that exchange air High volume (CFM’s) and fans that have High speed (MPH) velocity to force air in between the cows. Use only fans that are high-quality and have energy-efficient motors. New variable speed, direct drive fans can reach new higher airspeeds (30 -35 mph).
Direct drive fans give peace of mind, with reliable blast air speeds, yr after yr with minimal maintenance
WATER COOLING
Water cooling in the holding area is also essential. Consider adding water in several stages: New water systems can add just enough water to cool cows without making them excessively wet, thus opening the door to using water at lower temperatures and more often, cutting back on water usage and costs. Save soakers and higher water amounts for emergency cooling in life-threatening heat events.
AUTOMATION
There are automated controllers on the market that monitor the holding area systems and adjust the amount of air and water to fit the needs of the cows, keeping them comfortable at all times. Automation systems take all the guesswork out of holding area cooling and ensure that systems are operating every milking every day, and provide peace of mind that your cows are protected.
One such controller is the CoolMax by TunnelPlus.
Several companies have developed systems for holding areas. One such system is the +TUNNELPLUS™ “Blast Air System” specifically designed for holding areas Other ventilation companies like Munters, Sheaffer, ACME have fans but a whole system approch is a complete solution.
A properly designed holding area system will dramatically improve average daily milk production and conception rates. Many times, the return on investment (ROI) is as little as 30 to 90 days, making a holding area system upgrade a must, regardless of milk prices.
Remember, investing in your core business and focusing on production and efficiency are always smart and will keep your business on track to continue improving efficiency. Focusing on profit robbers is key and will help safeguard your dairy for the future. Every cow benefits from a properly designed holding area system.
Brent L. Hershey, President
4-Season Ventilation & Cooling Specialists
+TUNNELPLUS™ tunnelplus.net
