The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-12-31
DAIRY BUILDINGS
AND EQUIPMENT
BY F. II. Cammack, Field Dairyman,
University of Idaho Extension
Division.

has not been given very much atten-
ton. This seems like an unimpOrtant
part of dairy farming, but it is not
putting it too strongly to say that the
buildings and equipment have been
responsible for at least One-third of
the failures of dairymen. Most I'M
pOrtant is the barn. If this is not |
properly constructed, it may be the |
cause Of the loss Of time, labor and |
feed every day. In no other type of
farming does the barn count for so
much, because every day (and usually
one-third of the day. the arrangement
and construction will mean success or
failure.
| In a new diary country such as we
have in Idaho, this is usually cOnsid-
cred of least Importance, because in
the minds of many, dairying is In an
experimental stage. AS the farmers
realize the possibilities and advant-
ages of dairy farming, these matters
will be given greater attention. In
some sections Of Europe, the dairy
COW is kept in a part of the owners
own home and treated as zone of the
folks" because of her importance and
necessity for the owners welfare.
Contrast this with the conditions on
many farms, and it is no wonder that
the cows are not able to do their best.
There is such a variety of cOndi-
lions to be considered that it is diff
cult to give any hard and fast rules.
The differences of climate, purpose
and individuality of owner make it
necessary to consider nearly every
barn as a separate problem. There
are certain fundamental requirements
which are uniform, however, and sug-
gestiOns along these lines will be
given. The most important items to
consider are cleanliness, health and
comfort Of COW, convenience for work
men in handling daily chores, and
economy of construction.
The most important of these Is
cleanliness. Milk is the most perfect
human food and is conceded to be
} essential for human health and de-
yelopment; furthermore, dairy pro-
ducts constitute over one-fifth of the
worlds human food supply. There
have been instances of diseases hav-
ing been spread through the milk sup
ply, by unsanitary conditions of pro-
duction. There is also great eco
nomic loss caused by the spoiled milk
and the decreased value of products
made from unclean milk.
The beginning OF this loss is often
due to improper or insufficient dairy
barns and equipment. If the state
: sanitary laws were enforced. the reg
ulatiOns could be met by only small
number of dairy farmers. To enforce
the present laws (Which are not ex'
cessively stringenD would force
changes in the majority of dairy barns
Regulation No. 1. which requires two
, square feet of lighting area per COW
! is an example. Most dairy authorities
recommend four square feet instead
, of two square feet
The ventilation and lighting area
, have a direct bearing on the healtf
> and comfort of the cow. A COW needs
a constant supply of fresh air for max
, imum production, or in actual figures
npproximately 1000 cubic feet of all
, per hour The water supply arrange
! ment is important, as the average co"
!, needs about so pounds of good, clear
: water per day. Increased profits ant
. time saved result where some arrange
. ments are made for constant suppl!
!. of good water. In winter simple ant
inexpensive heating arrangement cal
be provided, so as to supply warn
water, Otherwise the COW often re
e fuses to drink the cold water. and a
t n result the milk supply IS short. Sal
y ticks should be constantly provided
e also. as two or three ounces of sal
u daily are needed.
{ The stall should be about TT. 6 in
e in width and the length may vary from
$ a 1T. 6 in. to #. > in according t.
e sine of COW, for the greatest ease ant
t convenience. The gutter should D.
= from IA to 16 inches in width AM
{ the floor should be laid sloping to
: ward the gutter. Manure carriers
concrete manure pits, feed carriers
etc. are great time and labor savers
The manure carriers and pits help con
serve tine fertility value. There ar
few people who realize the value
: manure to the soil. If the fertilizin
: elements were purchased in the form
of commercial fertilizers, the value o
tine manure would reach the sum
= about $50 in one year from one 1oOO
pound COW.
Perhaps the greatest hindrance t
the development of dairying Is tn
:, drudgery usually associated with dair
cattle husbandry. Modern method
have done much to eliminate cOnsid
cradle portions of this useless labor
BY convenient arrangement Of buiid
ings and use Of proper equipment
!, more boys would be kept on the fArr