A good barn is a paying investment. It costs less to arrange it conveniently in the first place than to pay for wasted time and labor afterwards on account of poor arrangement. It costs less to build for warmth than to feed for warmth. It costs less to build a sanitary barn, and thereby have a healthy herd, than to pay veterinary bills on account of insanitary conditions.
Since climatic conditions vary, the barn must be adapted to its locality. Also it must conform to the individual needs of the Dairy-man. It should be big enough to accommodate a bumper crop and as large a herd as the farm will profitably maintain.
The Practical Barn
There are certain essentials which should be constantly borne in mind in the designing of a Dairy Barn. First of all, it must be practical. Dairying is a very practical industry. There is very little correct theory about it that has not been reduced to practice. The Dairy Farmer is a very practical man. The barn which is to be adapted to his purpose must be a PRACTICAL barn.
The Convenient Barn
Next, the barn must be convenient. It must be arranged to save time and labor. There must be a place for everything and everything must be in the right place, in order that useless steps may be saved and a maximum of result obtained from a minimum of labor. Feeds must be stored and cattle housed and cared for with as little effort as possible. The barn must be CONVENIENT.
The Sanitary Barn
The Modern Dairy Barn must be sanitary. The health of the herd depends on sanitary conditions. Clean and wholesome milk can be produced only in a sanitary barn. To be sanitary, it must be well drained, well lighted, well ventilated and easily kept clean. Milk is our most important food product. Public Welfare demands cleanliness in its production. The Barn must be SANITARY.
The Economical Barn
It is mighty expensive to change a barn once built. Careful planning and the right method of framing can actually make a saving in material alone that will pay for the entire inside equipment. Have your barn correctly designed. Avoid mistakes. By doing so, you will practice economy. Economy not only in construction but in operation. The barn must be ECONOMICAL.
The Neat Appearing Barn
Then the barn must be neat in appearance. A properly designed barn shows every dollar put into it. Its attractiveness not only makes it pleasant to the eye, but also makes it desirable to your neighbors or to a prospective buyer, should you wish to sell. The cost will vary according to the size, design, convenience and furnishings, but regardless of the amount expended, the proportions must be correct. It is essential to have a NEAT APPEARING BARN.
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STAR Equipped Barn, Owned by Theo. Langsley, Fairbault, Minn.