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Tag Archives barns — page 3

Dairy farms are one of the first types of farms using the Rakr app.
Livestock

New app tracks and simplifies barn equipment maintenance

Energy also can be monitored with Rakr’s tracking app

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A free new app launched by an Ontario start-up aims to simplify barn equipment maintenance. And it’s a precursor to an innovative monitoring system to track and manage on-farm energy use that Rakr is launching in 2021, called NeatMeter. Why it matters: Cost control is essential to farm profitability. Energy is a significant expenditure for […] Read more
News

Letters: Barn severance decision raises questions

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Dear Editor, It is good to see that Huron County Planning Department finally got the AG4 severance policy right. As one county councillor said, “This is a big win for Huron County agriculture.” So, it’s no longer necessary to take barns down to get an AG4 severance. But it never was, by law. But is […] Read more
Cows have multiple methods of getting fresh air in the hybrid design.
Livestock, News

New hybrid barn combines natural and mechanical ventilation

The concept improves air quality and cow comfort

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One of the most difficult decisions dairy farmers face when building a new free-stall barn is determining the best ventilation system. Naturally ventilated freestalls have been popular for decades, with lower-profile fan-ventilated free-stall barns growing in popularity in Ontario over the past couple years. A concept from Wisconsin combines some of the advantages of both. […] Read more
Sows wait to eat in the group-housing system at Zeldenrust farm near Drayton.
Livestock

Animal welfare a focus during new hog barn construction

The extra cost of sow lift crates pays off in reduced piglet mortality

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During the recent 2019 edition of the Shakespeare Swine Seminar, there were presentations from two similar-sized farrow-to-finish operators who, when making decisions about new barn construction, opted to included innovations aimed at boosting animal welfare. Why it matters: Enhanced livestock care regulations, coupled with a more intense focus from the public on how food is […] Read more
The new barn at Maplevue Farms.
Livestock, News

Public invited to experience new dairy barn

North Perth farmers plan two distinct new-construction open house events

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Throwing open the doors of a newly built dairy barn for others in the agricultural sector to see is common practice; throwing open the doors for the general public is much rarer. The Johnston families of North Perth, operators of Maplevue Farms, plan to do both on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. Why it matters: […] Read more
Lorenz Guntensperger in his new tunnel-ventilated dairy barn.
Livestock

More breeze in the barn makes for happier dairy cows

A new tunnel-ventilated dairy barn design puts the emphasis on air movement

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New dairy building designs are popping up across the province, that are shorter, sleeker and looking like they are wearing tinted glasses. Tunnel-ventilated free-stall barns have become more common over the past few years as a new design has come to dominate tunnel ventilation. Why it matters: Cow comfort is key to dairy farm profitability […] Read more
The Slegh family used glulam beams in their barn, manufactured to spec by Guardian Structures in St. Marys.
Livestock

Fast-tracking the construction process

Prefabricated beams made from laminated timber can cut construction times by as much as 30 per cent

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A strong farm economy and the demand for new dairy facilities have brought some new building technology to the Ontario market. Guardian Structures had photos on display at the London Dairy Congress of a newly built dairy barn on the Slegh farm near Salford that featured a different approach to beams. Guardian Structures worked with […] Read more
The Slegh family is using robots to milk their cows in their new barn.
Livestock

Farm facilities: Braving the building backlog

More rules and a shortage of builders means Ontario farmers are waiting longer for new barns and shops

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“Plan early, plan early, plan early.” That’s the first piece of advice from the Canadian Farm Builders Association (CFBA) for farmers looking to decrease their time on a waiting list for a barn builder. Oh, and No. 2 on that list? It was also “plan early, plan early, plan early.” Sally Akroyd Bombino, general manager […] Read more
(CNW Group/A+W Food Services of Canada Inc.)
Livestock

A+W tightens standards for broiler suppliers’ barns

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Canadian burger and root beer chain A+W has set up additional standards for broiler barns supplying chicken meat to its restaurants. On top of its existing requirements for raising birds on grain-based diets without the use of antibiotics, the company on Friday announced it would require a new maximum stocking density for birds in its […] Read more

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