Air Curtains Help Neutralize Subfreezing Wisconsin Winters
Holy cow! Milking parlors on dairy farms are yet another application for air curtains, the energy-saving devices that keep outdoor and indoor environments separate at open doorways. After decades of energy-saving applications for industrial openings and, more recently, for commercial building entrances such as hospitals, hotels, and schools, air curtains now have been proven successful at preventing milking parlor equipment freeze-ups on dairy farms.
Milk productivity setbacks were frequent challenges from November through March during subfreezing days for Griesen’s Family Dairy, located 60 miles northwest of Madison, Wisconsin, in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The medium-sized, 680-cow farm suffered product losses and production delays caused when automatic milking equipment nearest the parlor entrances would freeze. The icy conditions also led to slippery floors and poor indoor comfort, both deemed hazardous for employees.