Comfy Cow: Benefits of Elevated Air Speed and Calculated Airflow for Cattle

Published on Tue, 05/21/2019 - 2:17pm

 Comfy Cow: Benefits of Elevated Air Speed and Calculated Airflow for Cattle

 Article courtesy of Big Ass Fans

 Keeping the herd comfortable and productive has been a major focus for dairymen looking to optimize their yield for years.

A comfortable cow produces more milk. So how do we provide for our cattle?
For 20 years, Big Ass Fans has kept cows cool across the globe.
In addition to aiding in the fight against heat stress, high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans can be found in barns all across the world, providing a better overall environment for cattle to live.

So how does it work?
• Minimize Heat Stress: Just like dairymen themselves, cows want to be comfortable. Just like dairymen, it’s easy to go from uncomfortable to unhealthy in a hurry. Let’s examine the Temperature-Humidity Index. When it exceeds 68°F, cows can begin to experience heat stress; anything above 77°F can result in loss of appetite. Heat stress can result in consequences ranging from lethargy to death. Not eating results in low milk output.
While Big Ass fans don’t decrease air temperature, the breeze provided has a similar cooling effect on cows as it does humans – regulating body temperature by breaking up the stagnant layer of heat trapped at the skin’s surface and evaporating moisture in cows’ breath and sweat.

• Dry Bedding: Cows don’t want to rest in wet, soggy bedding. A dry, well-rested herd results in fewer health problems. Damp sawdust offers bacteria a breeding ground; resulting in an opportunity for increased cattle illness and milk contamination. Big Ass fans provide plenty of airflow, keeping bedding drier longer with products built to endure and outlast the toughest, harshest conditions barns present.
• Dry footing: It’s easy to take for granted, but dry footing allows for better hoof health. Let’s provide a solid foundation for our cattle by mitigating moisture build-up at the ground level.
• Ventilation: An effective ventilation system can reduce the spread of airborne illness and contaminants. Dairymen know all too well the plague of respiratory disease. It’s still one of the largest income loss categories in the industry. By strategically placing HVLS fans with proper exhaust fans and facility design, dairymen can minimize the risk and spread of airborne diseases by providing fresh air turnovers, allowing for cows to breathe easier and cleaner.
• Pest deterrent: Mitigating airborne threats includes ridding your barn of insects and pests potentially carrying diseases of their own. Bluetongue, which can be found in cattle and other livestock, is communicated via insect delivery. By providing a steady breeze, flying pests will move on where they can settle in and not fight powerful airflow.
• Low Fire Risk: Why gamble with cheaper alternatives? Why waste money on individually connected box fans or small, inefficient directional task fans? All those cords and cheap quality could result in fire hazards. One Big Ass fan can be the solution you need. A hard-wired, safety-redundant, feature-filled Big Ass fan presents a custom solution as a low total cost of ownership.

Bottom line? Proper air movement and quality Big Ass fans will make you money. To see how much money you could be adding to your pocket, visit the Big Ass Fans cow productivity calculator and call a Big Ass Fans expert to get the right fit for your barn today.