It’s a fact that cool cows are productive cows. The more cows eat, the more milk they produce. But when temperatures rise above 22°C (72°F), cows begin to experience heat stress and lose their appetite. Reduced feed intake means lower milk yield and also decreases pregnancy rates. An effective ventilation system should help to reduce heat stress, increase yield, and clear the air in your barn.
A key element in good barn ventilation is an effective fan system. Dairy farmer Hugh Miles from Witham Friary, Somerset, installing barn fans before the heat started to rise this summer.
Last year the TH White Dairy Department installed two DeLaval V310 voluntary milking units at Hugh’s farm.
Miles consulted the supplier for advice about cooling systems.
He recalls: “The TH White team carried out a survey in the shed and, with input from DeLaval, they worked out the best configuration of fans and positioning to achieve maximum airflow. We went for 12 DeLaval DDF1200 fans which were installed in April.”
“Soon after that the temperatures were nudging 33 or 34 degrees, but the cows didn’t have to go out in the sun. Instead, they stayed in the shed where the fans ensured they remained cool and comfortable. It wasn’t just the cows that benefitted – it was a lot more comfortable for our people too!”
The frame design of the DeLaval DDF1200 fan helps to push air-stream further, achieving a greater cooling effect with less energy than conventional fans. They feature IE3 class electrical motors and their blade configurations can be altered to suit different airflow requirements.
“The fans have certainly proved their worth,” Miles concluded. “The cool atmosphere in the shed through the summer resulted in an increased yield of around 1½ litres of milk per cow per day.”