News>>Improving dairy cow comfort during the winter

Dairy farm facilities must be comfortable for cows on site.

Improving dairy cow comfort during the winter

The bitter cold in the winter months can cause a number of issues for dairy farmers if they do not have the appropriate shelter for their livestock. To ensure comfort all year long, farmers can turn to a fabric covered building from Winkler Structures.

Proper ventilation

According to Extension, a resource for land-grant universities in the U.S., a shelter must have good air exchange to ensure contaminated air is ushered outside the building and fresh air is circulated inside.

A hoop barn from Winkler Structures can be customized to include ventilation systems that ensure fresh air is constantly filtrated into the space.

Climate control 

Another important aspect to consider is the temperature inside the structure. Extension indicated the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the building should be 10 degrees during the winter months. On average, buildings from Winkler Structures are kept between 10 and 15 degrees cooler during the summer and 10 to 15 degrees warmer during the winter.

“A Winkler Structures clear span building is constructed with the most durable and technologically advanced fabrics.”

Protection from the elements 

It is critical to protect cows from winter’s harsh elements. Farm Progress noted that keeping cows warmer and protected from the elements can also cut down on the money spent on feed. Reducing wind speed can lower maintenance energy requirements. In fact, by cutting the wind speed from 20 miles per hour to 5, cows require 30 percent less food to stay warm.

A clear span building from Winkler Structures is constructed with the most durable and technologically advanced fabrics. This material can stand up to wind, hail, snow and sleet all year long. The specialty polyethylene material is designed for amazing strength-to-weight ratios and withstands just about anything that Mother Nature might throw at it.

The engineered steel frame designs and materials set Winkler Structures apart from its competition. Farmers can feel confident they will keep their cows protected when they choose to invest in a fabric building.

Customize building size and shape 

A clear span structure can be designed specifically for the unique needs of a dairy farmer looking to provide shelter for their cows. Winkler Structures are easily extended to add more space to store more warm, quality bedding.

In addition, the overhead space in a fabric building from Winkler Structures allows farmers to operate machinery inside to stack, move and maneuver bedding as necessary. The height clearance allows farmers to easily remove snow and ice from the structure throughout the year.

Natural light 

Another benefit of a Winkler Structure is the energy-saving translucent cover material that allows natural light into the space. By allowing a majority of the light to pass through the fabric membrane, Winkler Structures offers an energy-efficient, cost-savings solution. Fortunately, it’s a good move for another reason as well. Getting plenty of natural light is better for dairy cows housed during the winter months. According to the Michigan State University Extension, long-day lighting has an overwhelming positive impact on the overall production in dairy cows. With a hoop barn, natural light exposure increases production for the cows. In addition to ensuring their cows are comfortable during the cold winter months, dairy farmers can also keep exposure to natural light at a higher level, which will improve production and profit.

When the sun sets, farmers can also arrange to have LED lighting in the fabric covered building to increase a cow’s time in the light even more. A building from Winkler Structures can be customized to meet these specifications without a hassle.

If you are looking for an appropriate shelter solution for your dairy farm, look no further than Winkler Structures. Call our sales staff and discuss the design of your clear span building today.

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