A FREESTALL PARTITION FOR FORWARD LUNGE

An important decision in freestall design is whether the lunge space provided for the rising cow is forward or to the side. This freestall partition is designed for forward lunge. The partition should be used where two rows of freestalls are facing head-to-head and the forward lunge is intended to be into the stall opposite the cow (as shown). Other applications are where the forward lunge is to be into an alley adjacent to the row of stalls and where the forward lunge is to be through an outside wall (a doghouse and curtain covering the lunge space in winter).

This partition differs from a wide-loop partition (designed for side lunge) in that the distance between the top and bottom rails is less. Side lunge is not necessary and, thus, is discouraged. Moreover, this partition discourages a cow from placing her head through the open loop while lying down, an action that often results in the cow lying diagonally in the freestall. Diagonal lying behavior contributes to dirtier stall beds and cows.
Because each freestall design is a system in itself, installation must conform to recommended dimensions. Also, proper maintenance of the freestall bed is essential.

BARNS MAY LACK VENTILATION IN WARM WINTER WEATHER

Good ventilation system management calls for ventilation openings to be reduced in winter—adjusting a slot inlet in a mechanically-ventilated warm barn or placing fabric over an open sidewall in a naturally-ventilated cold barn. But, even though the calendar says it is winter, our recent weather has not been winter weather. And a major reason for air quality problems, especially in cold barns, is adjusting ventilation for the worst case—severe winter weather—and not readjusting to allow increased ventilation when the severe weather passes and milder winter weather appears.

Winter ventilation management is important in a naturally-ventilated barn with open ridge and eaves plus open sidewalls and endwalls as well. We invite real trouble when we adjust for winter ventilation during the first cold period in the fall (say the middle of November) and leave it there when, later on, we experience warmer days. If we don't open something for additional air movement, moisture buildup in the air will occur and the result is a cold, damp environment. Not much is worse, especially for baby calves, in terms of the environment. The situation is made even worse when warmer weather (35-50F) is accompanied by rain. Unfortunately, when people experience a cold, damp barn, their tendency may be to close it up even more—in response to feeling cold and damp—when the real answer is to provide more ventilation to flush out built-up moisture.

Changes in weather during fall, winter and spring often give rise to respiratory problems in animals, especially in calves when wide fluctuations in temperature occur. Remember that ventilation is truly a process of dilution. Air moved through a barn actually serves to dilute the inside air and, very importantly, to dilute all of its components. Dilution reduces concentrations of moisture and heat. Dilution reduces concentrations of airborne disease organisms, harmful gases and dust, and undesirable odors as well.

In winter, air movement through a cold barn should be sufficient to maintain inside temperature within 5-10F of outside temperature. Hang a thermometer inside the barn. If the temperature inside is more than 5-10F above outside temperature, more ventilation is necessary. Also, persistent condensation or odor indicates that additional ventilation must be provided.

Bill Bickert

ACCIDENT CLIPS AND SAFETY TIPS:
Agents Learn About 14- and 15-Year-Old Youths Tractor Training

On January 10^th and 11^th a labor training seminar for MSUE agents was held at the Michigan Farm Bureau Center. During the two-day session, labor issues concerning youth on farms and non-farm agricultural operations were discussed. I offered a one-page sheet comparing the two tractor training programs. The 4-H tractor training program is compared to the training requirements of the Agriscience tractor training program. If you did not receive your training comparison sheet or wish another, please e-mail your request. Due to formatting, it is not available via e-mail—as the comparison columns get lost in translation—but can be faxed or mailed.

This information can help you determine what topics must be covered and how a joint 4-H/ Agriscience tractor training program could work in your county or multi-county area. Both programs use the same student manual. Check this out and start a tractor safety class now so employers can legally employ 14- and 15-year-old youths.

A letter with this strategy was sent to both teachers and extension agents and directors.

Howard Doss

PREVENTING THE "SILENT" INJURY
Agricultural Work Can
Contain Excessive Noise

Michigan has an occupational noise exposure standard. Agriculture is not covered by the current Michigan occupational noise unless you have an employee complain to MIOSHA.

Certain jobs in agriculture are associated with high noise levels:

Agricultural Noise Level

Methods to Reduce Noise
To solve a noise problem, reduce noise a) at the source; b) on the path to the ear; or c) at the ear. Hearing protection is usually an effective and inexpensive way of controlling unwanted noise.

Earmuffs can reduce sound levels by 15 to 30 dB and usually provide the most hearing protection. In general, earplugs work best in the higher sound frequencies, if the proper fit is achieved. You could combine wearing earplugs with earmuffs for 3 to 5 dB more protection than just wearing earmuffs alone.

SAFETY TIP: Hearing loss is a gradual process for most people. It is usually painless. It is a silent injury. We all lose our ability to hear due to aging. Protect what you have left of your ability to hear. Train employees and family members in the proper use and fit of ear protection.

No mater what type of hearing protection you choose, remember that the only effective hearing protector is the one YOU WEAR.

Howard Doss

ON THE ROAD TO PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Michigan Precision Agriculture Research – NCR-180 is a committee of researchers from land grant university experiment stations who are working in precision agriculture. Committee members prepare annual research summaries, which are presented and discussed at a meeting in January. Below are abstracts of Michigan research presented to the group in January. Research reports for Michigan and other states can be found at: http://precision.agri.umn.edu/ncr180_Pawg/research/research.html

SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

The Potash & Phosphate Institute has developed a new series of Site-Specific Management Guidelines. This article begins a new series providing a look at selected guidelines. They were first unveiled at the InfoAg99 conference at Purdue University in August. There are a total of 29 guidelines written, with complete text available at:  http://www.farmresearch.com/SSMG/

The objective of the Site-Specific Management Guidelines series is to provide a mechanism to assemble expert knowledge in a timely fashion on site-specific management in a form useful to farmers and their advisers. Without such a mechanism, needless duplication and retracing of well-worn paths may slow progress.

Each Guideline addresses a specific issue related to site-specific soil and crop management. The loose-leaf format provides the flexibility needed to stay abreast of the dynamic knowledge base surrounding site-specific technologies. New Guidelines will be added in the future and old Guidelines will be updated as needed.

The Site-Specific Management Guidelines series is a team effort. South Dakota State University coordinates Guideline development, including the review process. The Potash & Phosphate Institute assists with coordination, provides editorial assistance, and publishes the series. The United Soybean Board and the Foundation for Agronomic Research are the financial sponsors of the initial volume.

Roger Brook
Adapted from foreward
to the SSMG series

SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
http://www.farmresearch.com/SSMG/

SSMG-3 Profitability of Site-Specific Farming - S.M. Swinton and J. Lowenberg-DeBoer
When is site-specific farming (SSF) profitable? What makes it profitable or not? This Guideline looks at both variable rate (VR) input applications and yield mapping. It shows basic budgeting methods to measure average profitability. Profitability results from nine field research studies showing that high-value crops give the biggest payoff to VR fertilizer application. Many yield map benefits come from whole-field improvements such as drainage, land leveling, windbreaks, and fencing. Remember that because SSF practices are site-specific, their profitability potential also will be site-specific.

SSMG-6 Global Positioning System Receivers - D. Pfost, W. Casady and K. Shannon
The global positioning system (GPS) and GPS receivers provide the means to determine position at locations anywhere on earth. Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and used for many civilian purposes, from fishing to flying, GPS has also made precision farming a reality. A typical configuration for on-farm agricultural applications includes a GPS receiver and antenna, a differential correction receiver and antenna, and cables to interface differentially-corrected (DGPS) data from the receiver to other electronic equipment such as a yield monitor or a variable rate controller. Accurate, automated position tracking with GPS receivers allows farmers and agricultural service providers to record geo-referenced data and to apply variable rates of inputs to smaller areas within larger fields. GPS can provide accurate position data when installed and operated properly, but can produce false readings under poor conditions. Few, if any, receivers provide accurate position estimates 100 percent of the time.