The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1920-01-08
DAIRY BUILDINGS
AND EQUIPMENT
BY #. r. Cammack, Field Dairyman.
University of Idaho Extension
Division, ~

putting III 100 strongly ID SAY lllat me
buildings and equipment have beer
responsible for AT least. one-tlrird OF
the failures of dsirymen. Most i'm
portant Is the barn. if this Is mol
properly constructed, Il may he the
cause of the loss OF time, labor and
feed every day. In no other type OF
farming does the barn count for 50
much, because every day .(and usually
ne-fhird of the day. the arrangement
and construction VIII 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, dairylng is in an
experimental stage. A. 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 tiiS WIN. Aht 'phuib'ho 'H
many farms, and il is no wonder that
the cows are not able TO do their best.
There il such a variety OF condi-
lions 10 be considered that 1t is diff
rult 20 give any hard and fast rules.
The differences of climate. purpose
and individuality of owner make II
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-
velopment; 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. mill. 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 assmall
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. l. which requires two
square feet of lighting area per COW
is an example Most dairy authorities
four square feet instead
of two square feet.
The ventilation and lighting area
have a direct bearing on the health |
and comfort Of the COW. A COW needs I
a constant supply OF fresh air for max Z
imum production, or in actual figures |
UNFORTUNATELY 1000 cubic feet OF air
per hour. The water supply arrange /
menr is important as the average COW
needs about so pounds OF good. clean
water per day. Increased profits and
time saved result where some arrange
ments are made for n constant supply
Of good water. In winter a simple ana
heating aran cement can
be- provided. so az o supply warm
water. Otherwise the COW often re-
buses 10 drink the cold water, and as
, result the milk supply Is short. salt
icks should be constantly provided
,lso. as two or three ounces Of salt
laily are needed.
The stall should be about Il. o In.
n width and the length fsiy vary from
II. 6 in. to ; II. in. according 10
lie Of COW, for the greatest ease and
The gutter should be
rom IA to 1G inches i'm width and
he floor should be laid sloping to-
ward the gutter. Manure carriers,
oncrefe manure pits. feed carriers. /
&c. are great time and labor savers
ne manure carriers and pits help con
erve the fertility value. There are
ew people who realize the value Of
manure 20 the soil. II the fertiiizing
lernents were purchased 10 the form I
+ commercial fertilizers, the value Of .
he manure would reach. the sum Of j
bout So in one year from one HOO 3
o1nd COW !
Perhaps the greatest hindrance 10
he Development Of dzir5ing Is the
rudgery usually associated with dark
attic husbandry. Modern methods r
ave done much to eliminate eonsld- Z
-abie portions ~ this useless labor.
y convenient arrangement q build r
rs and use Of proper equipment. $
ore boys would be kept on the farm Il