Raising Cows - 3 Vital Aspects of Facility Design to Promote Milk Production

Cow comfort can make a difference of several
thousand pounds of rolling herd average milk
production between two herds of similar genetics
and rations. Here are 3 essential aspects of
facility design that can enhance cow comfort,
milk production and herd health when raising
cows.

1) Ventilation

Your dairy's ventilation system should prevent
high humidity in winter and heat buildup in
summer. Freestall fronts and partitions should
be open enough to allow air movement across the
cow. Look for excessive condensation and
moisture damage, especially on the roof. Cobwebs
are often a sign of inadequate air flow. Other
signs of poor ventilation include: air that
smells of ammonia, excessive coughing, nasal
discharge or open-mouthed breathing by the cows.
If you run your fingers through the cow's
haircoat, it should be free of moisture in a
properly ventilated building.

2) Floor

All walking surfaces should be skid-resistant to
reduce injuries; increase mobility to feed, water
and resting areas and encourage estrous activity.
If you notice your cows walking very slowly, or
timidly, with rear feet spread wide, this could
be sign of poor traction. All concrete should be
grooved to make it less slippery. Before placing
cows on freshly poured and grooved concrete, be
sure to smooth off the rough or sharp surfaces
to prevent hoof injury.

3) Feeding Behavior

Researches at Michigan State University
collected information on feeding behavior of
cows in early and peak stages of lactation.
These cows were housed in a tie-stall barn. At
peak milk yield, cows ate over 50 pounds of dry
matter and drank over 20 gallons of water daily.
Meal size averaged about 5 pounds, with 11 meals
eaten daily. Each meal lasted about 30 minutes
for a total of about five hours of daily eating
time.

Higher producing, older cows consumed more feed,
ate larger meals more quickly, ruminated longer
and more efficiently and drank more water than
lower producing, younger cows. Because of these
inherent differences between first-calf heifers
and older cows, it makes sense to group them
separately if you want to do the best possible
job of promoting intense feeding behavior and
aggressive eating habits when raising beef cows.

The last step on how to raise cows is to decide
which kind of operation you want to run. There
are a lot of kinds of cattle farming, such as
registered, yearling and calf or cow. Each has
its own drawbacks and benefits.

----------------------------------------------------
Explore your options and then decide. Raising cow
can improve quality of life and provide great
satisfaction and responsibility for families. If
you would like more tips on raising cow, please
visit: http://www.howtoraisecattle.com

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=209297

>