Heat stress is a growing concern for dairy farmers in Wisconsin. Increasing nighttime temperatures and reduced wind speeds from rural development have increased the need for mechanical ventilation in dairy buildings. While ventilation fans help maintain cow comfort and milk production during heat-stress events, they also significantly increase electricity costs. Producers must balance the economic benefits of mechanical ventilation and its associated costs, using the weather data collected over the past five years in the Madison, Wisconsin, area.
Balance ventilation costs, milk-production losses
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Mechanical ventilation is gaining popularity on Wisconsin dairy farms due to increased nighttime temperatures and reduced wind speeds.
A modern dairy-barn interior has rows of cattle stalls and large ventilation fans along the back wall.