Barn ventilation all year round: this investment always pays off!
Optimising ventilation in your barn is more than just airing the space. It's about creating a comfortable and healthy environment for your cows all year round. It is an investment that will always pay off in the end in the profitability of your farm. Ventilation specialist Huw Jones explains exactly how.
The critical pillars: conception rate and milk production
The return on investment, or return on your investment, is measured by two critical pillars: conception rate and milk production. Jones points out a common problem among dairy farmers: 'the dip'. "This is a period when, with warmer temperatures, both milk production and pregnancy rates are significantly lower. This can be directly attributed to inadequate or improper ventilation in the barn. This dip can also be seen in other statistics such as conception rate, rumination and lying times. Just to name a few," Jones says.
Ventilation is essential all year round
Although 'the dip' is visible in the summer period, ventilation is essential 365 days a year according to Huw. Thus, ventilation outside warmer periods is also about drying bedding and maintaining optimal air exchange at cow level. “After all, cows are outdoor animals by nature and have a great need for fresh outdoor air”, Huw says affirmatively.
Return on investment per barn
A ventilation system in your barn requires an investment, but one that is guaranteed to pay off. Besides the initial investment cost, a thorough evaluation of operating costs, a cost-benefit analysis and an ROI calculation are necessary to see if your barn can become more profitable through the addition of mechanical ventilation. Jones stresses that this is therefore examined very thoroughly on a barn-by-stall basis, with each barn considered unique. "In this, we are not just suppliers of ventilation systems, but educational partners who help create a healthy, comfortable environment for cows, while maximising farm efficiency and profitability," Jones says. Several factors are considered when looking at Return on Investment. We are happy to explain them below.
Financial considerations
- Milk price
The milk price is at the heart of the income stream for dairy farmers. A higher milk price not only offsets investment costs faster, but also boosts the overall profitability of dairy farming.
- Number of cows
The number of cows in your dairy farm determines the scale of the investment. A larger herd can lead to a higher initial investment, but the positive effect on overall production can also be substantial.
- Running Cost of Equipment
Energy costs are an ongoing operational expense to the business, and any ventilation system will increase this cost. It is important to take into account the estimated running cost prior to install. At Royal de boer we calculate the running cost using local weather stations and set temperature parameters in which the fan operate at. It is important to note that we analyze running cost based upon the assumption that the fans will operate 365 days of the year. At Royal De Boer we believe the investment into mechanical ventilation should bring the producer benefits all year round..
- Income over feed costs
Cool cows will maintain DMI intake which is seen in cooler months. Solving heat stress will ofcourse save you money, but it is important to remember it will cost you money also in extra feed which may not have been required in previous years
- Equipment costs
The initial purchase and installation costs of ventilation systems are an important part of the investment. A detailed cost-benefit analysis can clarify the long-term effects of this investment.
- Maintenance hours
For fans to function optimally, regular maintenance is crucial. At Royal De Boer we take into consideration the cost of maintenance to the farm.
Farm Data Analysis
- Milk production per cow
We would like to understand how big of “dip” is seen to milk production per cow in the warmer months. We can then understand how aggressive we need to be when designing a system. A well-ventilated barn creates a comfortable environment, which directly affects cow health and therefore milk production. Maintained milk production per cow in warmer months translates directly into improved income.
- Pregnancy rate
Similar to milk production, we would like to see how many percent is lost as a direct result of heat stress. Effective ventilation helps reduce cow stress, which can positively influence fertility and pregnancy rate. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy herd and maximising productivity.
- Cost per day without pregnancy
The costs associated with a day when a cow is not pregnant include feeding costs and potential production losses. A good ventilation system minimises these costs by improving reproductive health. Using this figure we can work out how much money could be saved by improving fertility through heat abatement
- Average 'Days In Milk' of the herd
This factor indicates how long cows have been producing milk. Often we see that the average days in milk of the herd reduces in summer, this is due to the reproduction performance of the herd in the previous year. By having a low “days in milk”, it could potentially hide significant milk production dips. A good ventilation system contributes to the overall health of the herd and can optimise 'Days In Milk'.
- Percentage of first lactation cows
Research shows that cows in the first lactation are less susceptible to heat stress We would like to analyze how many cows are first lactation in the herd (commonly high if farm is expanding). It is quite possible that the effect of heat stress will become more noticeable as the herd become older on average.
What is the future of ROI?
"We will be doing a lot more research from Royal de Boer into the ROI of ventilation systems in areas such as lameness, robot performance in the summer months and the actual ROI of cooling dry cows. Combined with milking and reproductive performance, this will give us a more accurate ROI for the farm," Jones looks ahead.
Conclusion: strategic investment for long-term success
A deep understanding of all the factors mentioned above enables dairy farmers to make strategic decisions regarding cow ventilation. It is not only an investment in cow comfort, but also in the overall performance and profitability of dairy farming. A well-considered approach to cow ventilation pays off in a healthier, more productive herd in the long run and that is reflected in the finances.
Are you curious whether your cows can be made even more profitable through cow ventilation? Then contact us! Our experts will be happy to look at the opportunities and possibilities for your cows.