How Dairy Barn Buildings Become The Popular Choice For Texas Dairy Owners?

Sustainable business practices have started gaining popularity as time passes. The cost of production, maintenance of animals, feed, and shelter is also rising year by year, leading to an increase in the price of dairy products. There are various costs associated with dairy farming. Some of them are cattle housing, cattle health, sanitation, trucks, off-farm wages, maintenance of machines, milk processing, etc.

Cattle shelter and upkeep cost a dairy farm in Texas a significant amount. So, is there a way to reduce these costs? For sure - with prefab dairy farm buildings. Let’s see why they are the ideal choice for a Texan farmer.

Why Texas Dairy Owners Favor Dairy Farm Steel Buildings?

Home to over half a million cows, Texas is one of the top dairy product-producing states in the US. So, saving some cash on farm building, maintenance, and cattle health will benefit Texan farmers and ranchers alike.

Popular Type Of Dairy Barns

Stall Barns | Stanchion Barn (Most Popular)

Here, cows are sheltered and milked in the same building. Cows have individual stalls where they are tethered at the time of milking. More than 40% of the dairy barns in the US are of this type. Animals have their individual space, and it is easy to care for and monitor. The downside is that it decreases socializing ability.

Loafing Shed, Pen Barn, Open Stall Barn, Free Stall Barn

Here, cows are allowed to move freely in a large enclosed space. The milking room is generally separate from the shelter. These types of barns are designed to accommodate multiple animals together. Generally, these barns are associated with cows’ health problems like hoof and laminitis.

Open-Air Barn

One side of the paddock is open for shelter. Cows can take shelter during excessive heat, cold, or rain. This barn has the most natural ventilation. However, it is suitable for moderate climatic zones only.

Tail-To-Tail System | Face-Out Method

Cows are kept in a row facing each other. Animals' tails are positioned towards the aisle’s center. The central passage has gutters on either side. This design makes milking efficient. One advantage of this arrangement is that it reduces the spreading of diseases from one cow to another.

Advantages Of Metal Dairy Farm Buildings

Saves Pastures

An indoor dairy barn prevents cattle from tramping. This prevents soil compaction, which reduces pasture productivity, reduces regrowth, and increases runoff. It is best to remove cattle before rain begins. Farmers end up using less fertilizers on land, saving them some cash.

Cattle Health

Steel buildings are healthy and do not emit toxic VOCs over time. As steel does not facilitate growth, there is no need for toxic coatings or chemical sprays to treat mold and termites. Copper is another metal with antimicrobial properties that can be coated on frequently used metal handles.

Steel structures provide animals with a healthy and hygienic environment and comfort. They are also robust and hard to break in, so they protect cows and calves from predators.

Temperature Control

An insulated metal roof can decrease the flow of heat inside the building. In a climate like Texas, cattle need extra protection from heat and wildfires. Both can stress out and agitate animals, affecting dairy productivity.

Another way to tackle heat is to paint the metal roof a light color or a reflective coating that redirects most sunlight, keeping the interior cooler.

Durable Structure

Metal dairy farm buildings have a higher load-bearing capacity than traditional materials. Sturdy, high-quality steel can easily withstand daily wear and tear. Galvanized steel, being rust-resistant, can last for decades with little care.

To save some cash, look for prefab dairy farm buildings for sale. The metal dealer's website and social media handle offer attractive deals.

Resistant To Elements

Weather: Structural steel is quite resistant to Texas weather conditions. You can get engineer-certified steel with several degrees of tolerance against high-speed winds and snow load.

Pests: Insects may want to seek shelter in a moist and cool place in the scorching heat of Texas. Termites thrive in hot weather. In these situations, a wooden barn will become home to a lot of unwanted creatures. Metal dairy farm buildings are made with inorganic and non-porous materials. They don’t attract pests and insects.

Fire: A metal structure with proper fire retardant coating can withstand fire for up to four hours. This will give you time to extinguish the fire and save your precious livestock.

Things To Consider Before Installing Farm Metal Barns For Dairy Cattle

Size

Multiply the number of cows by the amount of area required by each to have an estimated knowledge of square footage. Of course, you can never go wrong with a larger barn size. The extra space can be used to store items like hay, small machines, cleaning racks/tanks, shovels, etc.

Vents

Regardless of what type of dairy barn you select to install on your lot, maintaining proper vents is essential for airflow. They will help remove ammonia and carbon dioxide from the interior. For excess heat, airflow might not be sufficient. In that case, you may need to install artificial cooling solutions such as air conditioners, exhaust fans, or convective cooling.

Barn’s Placement

Since Texas has summer season most of the year, you would like to position your barn so that it faces away from direct sunlight. The natural contour must not disturb the airflow. Go for the north-facing direction for a cooler interior and east-facing for getting morning light only.

Eave Height

Your cattle must not bump into the roof’s end. When installing dairy farm steel buildings, ensure the eave height is over 16 feet tall. Do not forget to measure the roof overhang if applicable.

Color Of Roof

Texas has a pretty warm climate all year around. White metal roofing is best as it cools faster and holds heat for a shorter time. When accompanied by a radiant barrier and insulator, it can be the most efficient type of roofing solution for dairy farms. It may cost 20% more than a traditional roof during installation, but the low maintenance and energy-saving features will pay off in the long run.

Best Metal Dairy Farm Buildings For Texan Farmers Is Here

Call (336)-914-1654 to reach the Carports Advisor team. We offer custom dairy farm buildings that cater to individual needs and business objectives. We are here to assist you in finding the perfect size, no matter what you're looking for. Choose your dairy farm building's color from our options matching your logo. Act now!