The waterers have approximately six inches of line underneath so the waterers rise as the pack rises with more bedding applications. Jack Lazor’s deep pack barn clean out for summer. In a DBP system, cows are able to lie down where they choose and can curl their heads around as they like, something they cannot do in tiestalls or stanchion barns. The open barn area allows for natural animal movement, which will become increasingly important as animal care standards are implemented. Cow access, animal grouping, and travel-to-the-feed-alley patterns can be managed by electric fences which reduce manure in bedded areas. Side retaining walls need to be strong enough to contain 4-6 feet of the pack and stand up to cleaning. This would be compounded on an organic dairy where it is required to use certified bedding. The biggest complaint of owners of DBPs is the cost of the bedding material. Biologic activity taking place 5-7 inches deep in the pack provides the heat that cows enjoy through the winter months.Īs with any type of housing structure, adequate bedding and good milking hygiene help manage the pathogens naturally found in a bedded pack system. Manure and urine mix into the bedding that remains in place for several months and is generally cleaned out once a year.Ī deep pack system is different than a composting pack that is aerated in the barn daily by tiller or turning. There may be a layer of gravel and then a bedding pack of straw, hay, sawdust or well-chipped wood shavings. This type of system that incorporates animal feeding and manure storage into one open barn can be especially helpful to smaller grazing farms.Ī DBP system generally consists of a foundation of concrete or hard clay.
I had the opportunity to see DBP systems at work on farms in Vermont in both the winter and summer seasons this year. Planning on the bedding material is critical to successful use and animal comfort. This is due to the potential of unsanitary conditions if the DBP aren’t managed correctly. In the past DBP were not allowed on dairy farms in New York due to Public Health rules enforced by Milk Inspectors.
That style of barn is a deep bedded pack (DBP) system.
#Small dairy barn design plus#
Any farmer considering updating their barns should consider a style of barn that would provide manure storage plus animal comfort, and may be eligible for government assistance. Small dairy farm operators may soon be faced with the prohibition of winter spreading of manure. Cows relax as farmers tour a deep bedded pack barn in Vermont.