The Rural Voice, 2000-04, Page 34Io • Electric Openers • Strip Curtains • Dock Bumpers • Vinyl Windows
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a)
OVERHEAD DOOR FACTORY OUTLET
Ideal For Driving Sheds And Workshops
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ventilation and provide natural
drainage of rainwater and snow melt
away from the building. Keep floors
in the buildings above the
surrounding grade for the same
reason and take advantage of the
natural slope for sloping floors. A
slope of about one per cent
throughout the length of the barn will
encourage manure liquids, holding
area wash water and spills from
water troughs to drain away to a
manure collection system at the low
end of the barn. A two per cent slope
will also permit present or future use
of a flush manure system. A three per
cent slope or greater will encourage
cows to lie with their backs uphill.
When all cows in a free stall area lie
the same way, there is less contact
between hooves and udders and cows
are cleaner.
Where the site permits it,
there's a definite advantage
to locating the manure
storage downhill from the barn so it
can be fed using gravity.
For natural ventilation the barn
should be located on an exposed site
away from other buildings and
oriented so that the sidewall catches
the prevailing westerly wind. Ideally
attached parlours or cross alleys
should be located on the downwind
side and have open sidewaljs to
minimize interference with airflow.
Use chimneys instead of open ridge
ventilation outlets. Buildings or trees
within 200 feet upwind will interfere
with light summer breezes which are
essential for summer ventilation. Try
to determine the pattern of wind and
snow around proposed buildings
when planning. Wind is important for
carrying odours, noise and dust away
from living areas. Ideally manure
storage should be down wind from
nearby residences.
When choosing a site, keep future
expansion in mind. What's going to
happen if that 700 -cow herd
prediction comes true?
Make sure you have an adequate
water supply (a milking cow requires
30-40 gallons per day). Not only do
you need enough water for the cattle
but for other needs — for instance
plate coolers require tremendous
amounts of water. It's also important
to have enough capacity to meet peak
demand at milking and feeding time.
A reservoir may be valuable, both to