New dry cow barn makes cows more comfortable

As the Hoard's Dairyman Farm continues to modernize, old facilities are being transformed to fit the needs of an expanding herd. The Hoard's Dairyman Farm is currently renovating the heifer barn and transforming it to dry cow housing. This new site allows for more ventilation and cooler temperatures due to greater air circulation and more overall space.

The facility has several new features. Along with having bigger and more open doorways, the dry cow barn is equipped with four 52-inch hanging fans to allow for maximum air flow. A feed lane was added under the north side roof of the barn, preventing spoilage from rain and making it easier to track feed intakes. Two separate calving pens were added, along with a pair of headlocks and a loading dock for easier cow transport. A warm/utility room (8 x 10 feet) was built to provide cows with warm water and for equipment and colostrum storage. Another new feature the barn has is the addition of red lights which will help workers check the cows without disrupting the animals' photoperiod.

Jason Yurs, the Hoard's Farm herd manager says this new facility will help with the farm's overall dry cow health. "This barn allows us to use pre-existing materials and is better suited for housing our current dry cows and for our cows during future farm expansion."

The heifers that used to be housed in this building were recently moved to the heifer facility in Elkhorn. When calves reach 4 months of age, they are moved down to this site until two months before calving.

Renovations are hoped to be completed by this summer.