Dairy cows
These are the main shelters for dairy cows. Depending on the farm's setup, cows might be kept in freestall barns (individual stalls with bedding), tie-stall barns (cows are tied in individual stalls), or pasture-based systems. These barns provide protection from harsh weather conditions and also offer a controlled environment for managing the cows' health and comfort.
Milking parlour
This is where the milking of cows takes place. Milking parlors can vary in design, with options like herringbone, parallel, or rotary parlors. Modern milking parlors often use automated milking machines that milk multiple cows simultaneously, ensuring efficiency and reducing labor.
Calves
The calf rearing area. Young calves are typically kept separate from adult cows to ensure proper care and growth. Calf rearing facilities have individual pens or group housing systems and provide the necessary nutrition, warmth, and attention to help calves develop into healthy replacements for the milking herd.
Hygienic entry
Many farms that focus on biosecurity include a hygienic farm entry area, usually a disinfection gate or manual cleaning and disinfection are for trucks, goods or persons that enter the farm.
Biosecurity programsfor dairy farms
Dairy
HyCare biosecurity programs for dairy cows
Optimal HoofCare
Healthy hooves are essential for feed and water intake, fertility, and cow longevity. Lameness reduces cow longevity by causing negative energy balance, lower intake, and fertility problems.
The MS AutoHoofClean provides 24/7, fully automated hoof care at the exit of the milking robot or in the return alley of a conventional barn. It works both preventively and curatively against digital dermatitis (heel warts).
The programmed pump unit automatically applies MS HoofClean or disinfectant to the mattress. Its hard top layer with small holes ensures the product is released only where hooves make contact.
Dry living environment
The Dry Living Environment Program focuses on keeping cow bedding clean and dry to improve comfort, health, and productivity while reducing disease risks.
- Reduced Skin and Udder Issues: Dry bedding lowers the risk of irritation and mastitis caused by bacteria in moist conditions.
- Prevention of Lameness: Prevents moisture-related hoof problems and lameness.
- Thermal Comfort: Provides insulation against cold and damp, reducing stress and supporting milk production.
- Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Limits bacterial and fungal growth, helping to prevent disease spread.
Clean drinking water
A cow needs to drink about 4.5 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of milk. Access to clean, healthy, and tasty drinking water ensures optimal intake, helping cows stay hydrated and maintain milk yield and composition. Inadequate water quality or intake can quickly reduce production performance.
The HyCare Clean Drinking Water Program guarantees the availability of safe, fresh water at all times. Di-O-Clean keeps drinking systems in top condition by removing existing biofilm, preventing new buildup, and killing pathogens, reducing disease pressure. It improves water – and thus feed – intake, is odorless, tasteless, safe when diluted, and requires no extra labor, as cows clean the lines themselves. It can be dosed with any pump for consistent, reliable results.
Healthy hooves are essential for feed and water intake, fertility, and cow longevity. Lameness reduces cow longevity by causing negative energy balance, lower intake, and fertility problems.
The MS AutoHoofClean provides 24/7, fully automated hoof care at the exit of the milking robot or in the return alley of a conventional barn. It works both preventively and curatively against digital dermatitis (heel warts).
The programmed pump unit automatically applies MS HoofClean or disinfectant to the mattress. Its hard top layer with small holes ensures the product is released only where hooves make contact.
The Dry Living Environment Program focuses on keeping cow bedding clean and dry to improve comfort, health, and productivity while reducing disease risks.
- Reduced Skin and Udder Issues: Dry bedding lowers the risk of irritation and mastitis caused by bacteria in moist conditions.
- Prevention of Lameness: Prevents moisture-related hoof problems and lameness.
- Thermal Comfort: Provides insulation against cold and damp, reducing stress and supporting milk production.
- Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Limits bacterial and fungal growth, helping to prevent disease spread.
A cow needs to drink about 4.5 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of milk. Access to clean, healthy, and tasty drinking water ensures optimal intake, helping cows stay hydrated and maintain milk yield and composition. Inadequate water quality or intake can quickly reduce production performance.
The HyCare Clean Drinking Water Program guarantees the availability of safe, fresh water at all times. Di-O-Clean keeps drinking systems in top condition by removing existing biofilm, preventing new buildup, and killing pathogens, reducing disease pressure. It improves water – and thus feed – intake, is odorless, tasteless, safe when diluted, and requires no extra labor, as cows clean the lines themselves. It can be dosed with any pump for consistent, reliable results.
Contact our dairy manager
Martijn Schippers
Martijn Schippers is the General Manager for Schippers USA.