https://youtu.

be/frj2_WKz0Dw

Emma Mukunya,
Dip.Tech, Architecture(TUK)
Advisory Packages
CowPro

Academy
of Dairy CashCow
Managers
Dairy DairyWise
Start-up Farmers
Investment Handbook
Plan
Dairy Cow Barn CowDish
Farm Designs & Rations
Benchmar Construction
k
Dairy E-Dairy
World Academy
Magazine
Academy
of Dairy
Investors
Learning Objectives

1. Assess a farm’s performance using a DFB.

2. Assign a score for each areas assessed
3. Write recommendations under each chapter
4. Write a management report
5. Perform the verification activities required in DFB
(calf weighing, feed assessment, weight calculation, others)
 Dairy Farm
Benchmark
Measuring the Distance to
cover
Where the
farm is
going

Current
Performance,
Comparing it with
Where the
the Best practice, farm is

demonstrating the
performance Gap
Data / Information collection methods

Interview

Observation

Documentation

Real-time measurements
Score by Colors
Above 76%

66-75%

51-60%

41-50%
Towards Optimal
Below 40% Performance

Above Average

Average

Below Average
Below Viable
 Sections of DFB

1. Farm Data _Inventory (Herd comfort, housing etc.)

2. Management Report (Key Issues & Priorities)
3. Farm Performance at a glance
4. Performance Evaluation:
 Score (0-5)
 Description
 Recommendations
 Picture Speak (optional)
Tools of Work
1. Safety clothing (Boots, Apron, Gloves, Eye
Protection)
2. DFB Template (Papers or Electronic)
3. Clip board (if using paper templates)
4. Weigh Band(s)
5. Measuring Tape
6. Calculator / Phone
7. Camera / Phone
8. Sampling bags
Key Areas Assessed
1. Cow comfort
2. Flexibility and expandability
3. Simple robust and economical structures
4. Optimization of movements and labor efficiency
5. Ventilation and climate control
6. Young stock housing – calves and yearlings
7. Risks mitigation physical and biosecurity
8. Water retaining structures
9. Energy efficiency, manure management and waste
disposal practices
10. Hay store and silage bunkers
11. Spray race
COW COMFORT
WATER

FEED LIGHT

SPACE

FRESH AIR

REST
Key Areas Assessed
1.Suitability of bedding material
2.Current Condition of bedding
3.Feed and water trough heights
4.Cleanliness of troughs
Cow Comfort 5.Type of floor and suitability
6.Floor condition
7.Dryness of the entire barn
8.Prevalence of injuries
9.Spatial provision for cows with
special needs (in-calf, sick, dry)
Key Areas Assessed

1.Simplicity of the barns design

Flexibility and 2.Efficiency of land use
expandability 3.Flexibility an expandability of the
barn
Flexibility and expandability
Key Areas Assessed

1.Structural strength of the barn

Simple robust 2.Type of materials used and their
and availability locally
3.Functionality and durability of the
economical
materials used
Key Areas 1. Feed flow into the barn without
Assessed contamination
2.Ease of cleaning and disposal of waste
(Waste flow efficiency)
Optimization 3.Availability and condition of the
on movements holding area
and labor 4.Movement from holding area to the
milking parlour
efficiency 5.Ease of movement of people in and
around the barn
6.Efficient flow of food and water from
storage to troughs
Optimization on movements and labor efficiency
Key Areas 1. Type of Roofing material
Assessed 2. Condition of the Roof
3. Height of the roof
4. Completeness of the roof
5. Existence and Functionality of a rain-
Ventilation water harvesting system
and climate 6. Type of walling ( solid or post and
rail)
control
7. Barn openness
8. Free flow of air in the barn
9. Positioning of the barn in relation to
prevailing wind direction ( cross
breeze)
Ventilation and climate control
Maximize on Natural ventilation

HOT
AIR

AIR
CIRCULATI FRESH
ON AIR
FRESH
AIR
 Young stock housing
1. groom
1. clean,
themselves,
2. dry bed
2. lie down
3. well 3. stretch their
ventilated
limbs and rise
but draught
without any
free
difficulty
4. housed
4. allow visual
individually
or in groups. contact with
animals in
adjoining pens
Key Areas 1. Existing calf housing
Assessed 2. Provision of protection from direct wind
and cold
3. Quality and sufficiency of bedding
materials
4. Calf housing cleanliness
Young stock 5. Feed and water trough Height and
housing accessibility
6. Ease of Cleaning feed and water troughs
7. Adequate Ventilation
8. Sufficiency of young stock housing
9. Calf pen safety ( calf to calf contact and
sharp edges)
Key Areas 1. Disinfectant dip at all entries
Assessed 2. Regular application of disinfectant
3. Visible instruction for entrants to always
use disinfectant
4. Practice and Promptness of quarantine
Risks and isolation of sick animals as farm
mitigation, policy
physical and 5. Availability of outer security wall
6. Availability and reliability of security
biosecurity surveillance
7. Sealing of outlets holes to shield cows
from dogs and other predators etc.
8. Defined entry/exit points in the barn.
9. Installation of fire-fighting equipment
Key Areas 1. Simplicity of design
Assessed 2. Structural strength of designs
3. Type of material used and availability
locally
4. Adequacy of the structures to serve herd
Water needs
5. Provision of protection against damage
retaining caused by machines/animals.
structures 6. Ability of the water source to supply
water all year round.
7. Positioning of the structures in relation to
other complementing structures and future
land use
Key Areas 1. Simplicity and Efficiency of manure collection, storage
and utilization.
Assessed 2. Structural strength of designs
3. Presence of biogas technology
Energy 4. Adequacy of the structures (biogas and waste pit) to
serve herd needs
efficiency, 5. Positioning of the structures in relation to other
complementing structures and future land use
manure 6. Application of renewable energy/ green energy (not
limited to Biogas)
management 7. Extent of energy supplementation thro’ biogas and other
Renewable energy sources
and waste 8. Disposal practices of non-biodegradable waste in the
disposal dairy/farm compound
9. Safety measures around the manure pit slurry pits, tanks
for humans and animals
10. Sufficiency of the lighting of the sections dairy unit –
human walk ways and the barn
Key Areas
Assessed 1. Simplicity of design
2. Structural strength of designs
3. Type of material used and availability
locally
4. Adequacy of the structures to serve herd
needs
Hay store 5. Adequacy of ventilation
6. Positioning of the structures in relation to
other complementing structures and future
land use
7. Ease of access by machines
Key Areas
Assessed 1. Simplicity of design
2. Structural strength of designs
3. Type of material used and availability
locally
4. Adequacy of the structures to serve herd
needs
Silage bunkers 5. Positioning of the structures in relation to
other complementing structures and future
land use
6. Ease of access by machines
Key Areas
Assessed 1. Simplicity of design
2. Structural strength of designs
3. Type of material used and availability
locally
4. Adequacy of the structures to serve herd
needs
Spray race 5. Provision for recycling the chemicals used
6. Positioning of the structures in relation to
other complementing structures and future
land use
Cow Barn, Structures & Cow
Comfort

Presented By

Emma Mukunya,
Dip.Tech, Architecture(TUK)