Havaintoja pihatoista kylmillä seuduilla

Authors

• Erkki H. Oksanen Helsingin Yliopiston maanviljelystaloudellinen laitos, Rukkila, Helsinki

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71332

Abstract

Production efficiency in dairy cattle farming has been raised by the use of loose housing barns. However, there have been many arguments over its suitability for the cold regions of the U.S.A, and Europe. Bedding requirement and hay consumption are greater in a loose housing barn than in a stanchion barn. Moreover, it has been claimed that cows will suffer from subzero weather. Visits and interviews at nineteen North Michigan loose housing barn farms proved the last-mentioned argument to be wrong, since cold weather had never caused any trouble. The bedded area must be protected from draught. Wind and wet snow are wores than cold weather. In properly arranged loose housing barns bedding consumption has been 30 to 50 per cent more than in stanchion barns. On some farms the bedding requirement has been three times the amount needed for stanchion barns. Hay consumption has been somewhat more than in a stanchion barn Loose housing barns can be successfully operated in relatively cold regions. Barn arrangement and operation practices determine the degree of success. Where a proper loose housing barn can be constructed and it is properly operated the advantages of the system far outweigh the disadvantages.