Barns & Equipment

As we approach 2020, the ability to extract data from a dairy barn continues to grow. Advances in artificial intelligence are already being implemented on farms and can impact how farm management decisions are made.

What does your farm look like five, 10 or even 15 years down the road? Is automation in your future? Automation technology, from milking equipment to manure scrapers, feed pushers and barn controls, can save labor and bring consistency to your farm.

Over his lifetime of farming the fertile soils of southeastern Wisconsin, Mike Walter has noticed a trend: wetter weather. However, he’s found a way to outsmart Mother Nature.

It was early in the evening on Thursday, Sept. 20. Members of the Meyer family were catching up on various tasks. They had put in a long day on Wednesday, harvesting, packing and covering their corn silage crop ahead of rain in the forecast.

Having the peace of mind that your dairy facility is properly designed and engineered should be a priority to anyone in the industry. After the April 2018 snowstorm the Midwest endured, engineering of dairy housing structures has been a hot topic. If Mother Nature decides to bring another storm like the historic Blizzard Evelyn, a preventative approach for your next construction project will provide peace of mind in knowing buildings are sound and, most importantly, the people and animals inside are safe.

As farmers, it’s inevitable we will all one day retire. With that comes the emotional aspect of leaving the lifestyle, people, equipment and community that have supported you.