Air-Conditioned Barn Boosts Milk Production

Air-Conditioned Barn Boosts Milk Production DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Dairy Equipment & Ideas 20-1-39 When Tom and Howard Walquist first got the idea of air conditioning their dairy barn, the Belknap, Ill., farmers didn't get a lot of encouragement from friends, neighbors or dairy specialists. In fact, they couldn't find anyone who thought the idea would be cost efficient. But they set out to do it anyway and discovered, to their amazement, that air conditioning boosts milk production by as much as 35 percent during hot summer weather. What's more, they found that it actually costs no more to operate the big commercial air conditioning units they installed than conventional aeration fans. "This area of Southern Illinois is known for its heat and humidity, which takes a toll on milk production," says Tom. "During the summer of 1995, which was a hot one, production at other area dairy farms fell off some 35 percent but our cows dropped only 1 percent. We attribute the difference almost totally to the comfort of our air-conditioned barns." The Walquists first got the idea of air conditioning their barns several years ago. When they could find no research supporting the idea, they decided to go ahead with a test of their own in a well-insulated barn (6 in. in the walls and ceiling) designed for 30 Holsteins. They kept detailed records for more than 2 years, running three 5-ton air conditioners. They found they could keep the interior at 70 to 75? on a 100? day. Whenever temperatures went above 80?, they kept the cows inside during the day, but sometimes let them out at night. After proving to themselves that cooling paid off, the Walquists decided to build a new 62-cow barn designed specifically with air conditioning in mind. The 54 by 164-ft. barn is cooled by six 5-ton commercial air conditioning units which are also equipped with ductwork for ventilation. The cost of running the air conditioning and ventilation has averaged 38 cents per cow per day - the cost of about 3 lbs. of milk. But they've found that the average cow produces 15 to 20 lbs. per day more milk when in the air conditioned barn, giving the Walquists a 500 percent or better return on their investment. After comparing the cost of running air conditioning against the cost of conventional ventilation fans, the Walquists say the system doesn't cost any more than fans alone because with fans you have to move so much more air to provide any cooling effect. "So far as we know, we have the only detailed figures in the country on air conditioning dairy cows. It's an idea that really works. It might pay off for other livestock producers, too," says Tom. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tom & Howard Walquist, Rt. 1, Box 113, Belknap, Ill. 62980 (ph 618 634-2255 or 9330).

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