Mushkoday Farm LLC

Ventilation Upgrade Project

A progressive farm with a keen focus on quality milk and happy, healthy, comfortable cows, Mushkoday Farm LLC is a multi-generational, commercial dairy farm where viability and vitality for farm and family alike is paramount. As the 5th generation prepares to take the reins of operation, the focus remains on assuring quality milk produced from well taken care of cows in an economically sustainable way. The Delaware County Farm Enhancement Grant was able to support this endeavor with a project to support animal comfort and wellbeing, and ultimately performance. 

Touring the farmstead will make it readily apparent that embracing technology has been an element in the management strategy of the farm. The freedoms this has created allow a focus on management of optimum performance environments for the comfort of the herd. The project implemented on this farm addressed ventilation and living environments for each group of animals.

In the calf facilities, ventilation systems were upgraded to create healthier and more comfortable environments for the animals. In the calf barn, installation of additional fans improved air flow and quality. Animals are making use of the full bedding area rather than remaining in the cooler loafing areas. This translates in more time resting for young, growing animals. The ventilation also keeps bedding drier, reducing instance of disease.

Ventilation upgrades to the dry cow/pre-fresh barn have dramatically enhanced conditions. As the farm has grown over the years, new construction has diminished the natural ventilation system previously serving the structure. With the completion of the project, cows are spending more time eating and resting rather than bunching in areas of higher air flow. The improved air flow and quality as also correlated to significantly lower instances of mastitis in fresh cows. Decreased stress in the pre-fresh animals has yielded healthier calves at birth.

These upgrades situate all groups of animals with optimal performance conditions to ultimately put milk in the bulk tank, and the Burgin family was also mindful of the milking herd housing as well. The anchor of the project was installation of new curtains in the barn housing the milking herd. This was a replacement of older, worn curtains, coupled with additional capabilities of climate and ventilation control. This allows management of the curtains to provide optimal environments for the animals and be responsive to weather conditions as they change through the course of a day. In total the Delaware County Farm Enhancement project on Mushkoday Farm improved environmental conditions for the entire herd of dairy animals.

Last updated July 16, 2025