FROM THE FARM REPORT: WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE FARM
- Rebecca Sprang
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Spring has arrived! Or so the calendar says. Although we have had a few days in the 60s which feels like t-shirt weather up here in Northern New York, most of our days are in the 30s-40s and the nights in the 20s-30s, and we are still getting a few bouts of snow. Here at the farm we have to adjust with the frequent weather changes. We are constantly opening and closing the barn doors, as well as monitoring the curtains in each of the barns to make sure our cows are comfortable. Each barn has a different setting based on the needs of the cows in the barn. Cows have a lower thermal neutral zone temperature of 32° to 77° whereas calves have a higher one. Calves have a thermal neutral zone between 59° and 82°.
In our 2004 barn, which is home to 350 of our lactating dairy cows, as well as in our milking parlor, we use the Polymat G3 through the company Ventec. These are inflatable air curtains. This allows the cows to be as close to a pasture-like setting, while keeping them in the comforts of our freestall barn. These curtains allow lots of natural light in, eliminating the need for extra interior lighting, while keeping the cold and wind out. They are temperature controlled and will open and close in all of the different types of weather that we experience here at Miner Institute.
In our newer dairy barn, where we have over 230 lactating cows, as well as 75 dry cows and prefresh heifers, we have Norbco ventilation curtains. There is a bottom curtain and a top curtain which allows for more customized airflow. The curtains can be rolled up and down in increments to get the desired ventilation. The top curtains roll to the top and the bottom rolls to the middle. These curtains can be automatically or manually opened and closed based on the current temperature settings.
In our calf barn and transition heifer barn, we have the same brand of curtains as our newer barn, however they have a sensor that can detect temperature, humidity, wind and rain, and they will open and close based on the weather. These curtains are very durable and allow 80% of sunlight in when fully closed. In the summer, when open, it allows for a wide open sidewall for maximum airflow.
— Rebecca Sprang
