A technical analysis of barns on large dairy farms in northern Poland

The aim of this study was to analyze the existing barns in terms of cow maintenance systems, structure and technological solutions of buildings at large dairy farms in northern Poland. The studies were conducted in northern Poland in West Pomeranian, Pomeranian, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Warmian-Masurian and Podlaskie voivodships. The study included field inventory and questionnaire studies at some chosen farms of these voivodships.The farm size criterion was set at the herd size of 150 or more head of cattle. Based on the obtained study results and their analysis, it was established that in northern Poland the highest number of large dairy farms (41%) was located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodship and the majority of dairy farms comprised 1-3 barns built of reinforced concrete and equipped with a gravity ventilation system. In all regions prevailed farms keeping 150 - 200 head of cattle and the largest average herd size of 460 head of cattle was in the West Pomeranian voivodship. The most often barns were equipped with herringbone milking parlours (45%) for 21-25 cows milked at once and the indoor feeding table (63%).