Food Animal Production Medicine

Dr. Leland Allenstein Teaching Herd - Charmany Teaching Facility Renovations

Various improvements were necessary at the Charmany Teaching Facility prior to the arrival of the Teaching Herd.  Feed storage facilities were added including 2 bigger bins for grain and protein and a pad for silage bags.  The stall area was redone, with the removal of 2 box stalls and the addition of 7 stanchions.  Outdated stanchions were replaced, more comfortable bedding mats and pvc bedding keepers were added.  In addition the plumbing and electrical work required upgrading.  New waterers were added to each stall.  New fans were permanently installed on the south wall of the barn.  The exercise cement lot was grooved to prevent slipping and a permanent waterer was added.  The milking system was completely renovated to meet Grade A standards with a larger bulk tank, larger compressor, new stainless steel receiver jar, and a stall cock added in the box stall.  The pipeline was re-hung and the old glass receiver jar was replaced and moved.  All of the milking units were replaced and the milk meters were calibrated.

The addition of the teaching herd to the Charmany facility also required the coordination of other scheduled teaching activities.  Ray Sommers, Claudia Hirsch, and the whole Charmany staff worked together to make the changes and accommodate the new herd.  In addition, some of the funding for the renovations were provided by the Charmany facility.  Without the help of Ray, Claudia and the Charmany crew, the teaching herd at Charmany would not have been possible.

On Tuesday, September 18th, 2000, about 15 minutes after the completion of the Charmany barn renovations, the herd arrived.  Two tractor/trailers were used to haul the cattle in comfort from Depere to the Charmany Teaching Facility.  The cows were unloaded, fed in the exercise lot, and monitored for a few hours before being introduced to their new home.  Some of the cows were anxious to get in their new digs, while others required a bit of patience and coaxing.  They were all fed again once they were in their new stalls.  Milking that night went quite well, perhaps taking the crew a bit longer than Dennis and Mary Kay.

Gallery - "Charmany Redo" -click on thumbnail for enlargement

Gallery "Moooving Day"- click on thumbnail for enlargement

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