FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

Lighting often represents one of the best opportunities to reduce electricity use on dairy farms, and lighting retrofits typically have shorter paybacks than other energy-efficiency upgrades. Over the last decade, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has experienced rapid growth and adoption, with prices dropping 90 percent.

When it comes to making milk, cows need one thing more than anything else: water. Milk is mostly water, so it goes without saying it is a vital element in terms of a cow’s nutrient needs.

Building a new facility is a big job. Whether it’s a new build, a renovation or future plans, the implementation of a well-thought-out plan is key to success. Learning from others’ mistakes and building to suit individual needs can save dairy producers money, time and headaches in the long run.

Do you remember the last time you banged your head on something? Think of a time when you really gave it a whack.

We’ve all seen them, and most of us are probably guilty of ignoring them at one point or another. I’m referring to fans so coated in dust and other organic material you wonder how they still spin and, if they are off, you can only imagine the cloud that will be blown into the air when they do eventually start up.

Water is one of the most important resources on a dairy farm, not only because it is essential for cow consumption, but also because it is heavily used to wash, clean and cool the dairy facility.