Facilities and Technology
Dairy cattle producers can find resources and advice on cattle housing systems and dairy equipment. Information on calf and heifer facilities, building freestalls and tie stalls, and cow comfort is also available in this section. Penn State Extension provides practical advice on ventilation systems for dairy housing, and on milking systems’ usage and maintenance.
Dairy Farm Equipment
Choosing between the various dairy cattle housing facilities, handling, and milking equipment options is an important decision for dairy producers. Lactating cows’ welfare has a considerable influence on their productivity, health, and reproduction.
Dairy producers should take into account operational needs, local climate conditions, construction and building costs, and long-term maintenance and upkeep costs. At the same time, they should ensure that dairy cows are comfortable and managed in a safe environment in order to improve herd health and prevent diseases.
Implementing new technology, such as activity monitoring systems, as well as best practices in designing and maintaining proper facilities and equipment, are key to dairy farm profitability.
Dairy Cows Housing Facilities
Dairy cattle, specifically the milking herd and close-up dry cows, can be housed in various types of dairy facilities. The most common options are tie stalls for individual dairy cows, freestalls (cubicles), dry lots, pasture systems, and conventional or compost bedded-pack barns. Automated milking systems are also an option – a free-flow system allows cows to move freely between the robotic milker, feed area, and resting area.
Penn State Extension offers a free webinar on planning dairy calf and heifer facilities, covering sizing strategies, planning procedures, and common calf and heifer housing alternatives.
In this section, producers can also find resources on designing and building dairy cattle freestall housing systems, as well as calf and heifer housing. Additionally, we’ve provided specific recommendations for calf and heifer housing dimensions for Holstein and for Jersey dairy cattle. Information about transitioning from a conventional herringbone milking parlor to a single robot milking system is also available.
Producers looking for suggestions on calves housing and feeding can also access our resources. They’ll find practical advice on topics ranging from group calf housing facilities and challenges to cold-weather calf housing and care.
Ventilation Systems for Dairy Housing
As ventilation systems on dairy housing consume up to 25% of the total energy used on the dairy, efficiency is important when choosing the right system for your farming operations.
In this section, producers can find Penn State Extension comprehensive resources on ventilation systems, efficiency, and maintenance. They can access experts’ advice on natural ventilation for dairy tie stall barns, freestall barns, and for greenhouse livestock barns.
Dairy producers can also get practical tips on how to detect ammonia gas concentration in animal housing using simple instruments. Safety-related topics are also covered in the Dairy Cattle and Personal Safety section.
Cow Milking Equipment
Choosing the right milking system is yet another important decision for dairy producers aiming to optimize and streamline milking operations. Depending on the number of cows milked per day, different choices of systems and machines can be installed to provide optimal efficiency.
Milk parlors are designed for both cow and farmworker comfort and efficiency. Parallel parlors generally accommodate medium to large size herds, while tandem or herringbone parlors are a better fit for smaller operations.
On this page, you can find free webinars offering advice on milking systems operations, as well as practical information on cleaning and maintaining milking equipment. Various resources on robotic milking systems are also published here. Topics range from milk quality and automated milkers to feeding and data collection in robotic milking systems.
The efficient and productive milking process is not the only factor to consider when choosing milking systems, though. Dairy cow health and productivity are also affected by milking technology and processes. Penn State Extension offers an online course on Best Milking Practices – a useful resource for dairy producers and handlers interested in best management and milking practices.
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WebinarsFree
Dairy Veterinarians' Perspectives on Pre-Weaned Calf Housing
When 04/28/2026Length .5Event Format Virtual | LiveExplore how dairy veterinarians across the United States and Canada view calf housing, balancing health, behavior, management, and public expectations in individual and group systems. -
WebinarsFree
Dairy Focus: Robotic Milking Roadmap
When 04/23/2026Length 1 hourEvent Format Virtual | LiveExplore robotic milking with a practical roadmap covering startup readiness, end-of-year-one production and financial expectations, and long-term planning for dairy farm success. -
ArticlesTraining Heifers to Robots: Does it Pay Off?
Getting a heifer through her first milking can be a challenge. New research shows that training heifers to robots before freshening may help. -
ArticlesSafety Risk from Manure Storages of Dairy Cows Bedded with Gypsum
Findings from on-farm monitoring of dairies using gypsum as stall bedding show a link has been found to highly toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide gas during manure movement and agitation. -
ArticlesResources for Ventilation of Livestock Housing
Information on ventilation systems available at Penn State. -
ArticlesVentilation Improvements for Veal Calf Housing
This article explains how adding a second and third large baffle inlet assembly to a 50-calf room can provide hot weather ventilation. -
ArticlesMake Your Own Ceiling Inlet Air Speed Monitors
Ventilation inlet air speed monitors described here are a cheap and easy way to assess proper ventilation in livestock buildings. -
ArticlesRecommendations for Calf and Heifer Housing Dimensions for Holsteins
Summary of design suggestions for planning calf and heifer housing systems for Holstein dairy cattle; a starting point for the design process. -
ArticlesRecommendations for Calf and Heifer Housing Dimensions for Jerseys
Summary of design suggestions for planning calf and heifer housing systems for Jersey cattle; a starting point for the design process. -
ArticlesNatural Ventilation for Freestall Barns
Cows continuously produce heat and moisture so a ventilation system is necessary to continuously exchange inside air for drier, cooler outside air. -
ArticlesSummer is Almost Here: It's Time to do Heat Abatement Maintenance
Inspect and perform maintenance on sprinklers, shade structures and cloths, fans and other ventilation systems, and water systems before the temperature rises. -
WorkshopsFree
Farm Emergency Response: First Responders' Safety Training
When 04/11/2026Length 7 hoursEvent Format In-PersonHands-on training for first responders builds safety and preparedness for farm emergencies, covering hazardous materials, livestock behavior, biosecurity, and application during a farm visit. -
ArticlesFarm Biosecurity: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
The recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have left many farms in a dire situation. Use readily available resources to help you develop a farm emergency plan. -
ArticlesDairy Sense: The Value of Optimizing Heat Abatement
The short-term duration of hot weather can have long-term ramifications to total milk pounds for the year, components, reproduction, and milk income. -
ArticlesRestraint and Treatment Facilities for Dairy Animals
Dairy animals must periodically be isolated and restrained for vaccinations, breeding, and examinations. Well-designed restraint facilities promote good calf, heifer, and cow care. -
ArticlesDon't Let Floor Resurfacing Slip Your Mind
Good footing is essential to the health and performance of dairy cattle, especially in areas of high traffic. -
ArticlesVentilation Systems, Efficiency, and Maintenance for Dairy Housing
Well-built and efficient fans and maintenace goes a long way in helping to achieve ventilation needs while keeping energy costs in check on the dairy. -
ArticlesInlets Essential to Tunnel Ventilation Success
Properly sized inlets – located to supply uniform distribution throughout the animal space – are essential to provide a more comfortable space for cows and poultry. -
ArticlesAre Your Cows Taking a Vacation?
Too much time away from their pen can cause a deficit in cows' daily time budget. -
ArticlesCan You Make Overcrowding Work for You?
Stalls are the often-used metric to measure overcrowding. It easy to see, measure and calculate cows per usable stall. However, it may not be the limiting factor! -
ArticlesDry Cow Heat Stress Abatement
The numbers speak for themselves, it pays to invest in a cooling system for dry cows. -
ArticlesMilk Quality on PA Dairy Farms Using Robotic Milking Systems – Part 3
Robotic dairies surveyed in Pennsylvania had good hygiene scores overall. Even so, those with cleaner cows had lower bacteria counts in bulk tank milk samples. -
ArticlesMilk Quality on PA Dairy Farms Using Robotic Milking Systems – Part 2
Cleanliness of teats as the cow enters the robot and the ability of the robot to clean teats prior to milking will impact teat cleanliness at attachment and ultimately cow health and milk quality. -
ArticlesMilk Quality on PA Dairy Farms Using Robotic Milking Systems – Part 1
Automatic milking systems are gaining popularity on Pennsylvania dairy farms. -
ArticlesTunnel Ventilation for Tie Stall Dairy Barns
Tunnel ventilation is a special summer system that provides a combination of high air exchange rates and high-speed air flow over cows to help remove body heat during hot weather.
