Success StoryImplementing the compost, bedded loose housing dairy barn concept for Argentina



Implementing the compost, bedded loose housing dairy barn concept for Argentina

Author: Joseph Taraba

Planning Unit: Biosystems & Agr Engineering

Major Program: Dairy

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Argentine dairy producers have utilized the dry lot dairy production concept for most of the dairies both large and small. They generally do not accept free stall confinement barns as a strategy to overcome the environmental and cow welfare impacts that develop from the climate where the dry lots are located. The wet season results in mud lots, with mud caked cows and low milk quality while the dry season solar radiation increases heat stress which impacts milk production and cow reproductive factors. Five years ago there were 2 compost bedded loose housing dairy barns in Argentina. E-mail contacts from these producers were made concerning barn construction and management of the compost bed. Between 2015 to 2017 17, I conducted 3 in country workshops with interested producers, government agricultural representatives, veterinarians and dairy researchers. I offered extension consultation on management and barn design. By the end of 2017 there were 10 barns constructed with 3 more in the planning stages. From increased dairymen interest in understanding the barn concept, this resulted in an invitation to conduct a series of workshops and on-farm hands-on workshops. From March 23 through March 30 0f 2018, I presented 3 workshops on the compost bedded, loose housing barn concept in Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santa Fe. A total of ~ 325 participants attended from all segments of the dairy industry. In each Province, I also conducted 2 on-farm hands-on workshop in an operational compost bedded dairy for participants from all segments of the dairy industry. A total of 6 on-farm workshops were attended by ~ 150 people. Further educational activities are anticipated as more dairymen consider the adoption of this dairy barn concept.