McLanahan highlights link between cow comfort and dairy performance

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — In today’s technology-driven dairy industry, one principle remains unchanged: comfortable cows are productive cows.

Building on decades of hands-on engineering experience, McLanahan Corporation reinforces that message through its “Happy, Healthy Cows” initiative, a multi-platform effort helping dairy producers improve cow comfort, herd health and overall farm performance.

“When cows are happy, dairy farms just run better,” said Renee Schrift, director of global sales for agricultural systems at McLanahan. “We, as dairy owners and managers, control the environment — not the cows — so, we must make sure they have what they need.”

Rooted In Comfort

The emphasis on cow comfort is in well-established industry principles. Dairy cows spend a significant portion of their day lying down, often up to 14 hours, which makes bedding quality and stall conditions critical.

Clean, dry bedding encourages rest and reduces exposure to bacteria, helping lower the risk of mastitis and improve milk quality.

“Comfort drives everything on a dairy,” Schrift said. “When cows have clean, dry places to rest and systems that support their natural behavior, dairies see the difference not just in production, but in overall herd health and longevity.”

Clean, comfortable stalls don’t happen by accident. Small improvements in bedding and manure management can make a measurable difference in herd performance.

For instance, daily monitoring of bedding use and stall hygiene is crucial to keep cows comfortable, stalls clean and udders healthy.

“Producers are constantly balancing cow comfort with operational efficiency,” Schrift said. “The right systems allow them to do both, keeping cows clean and comfortable while making better use of resources.”

Success is built on daily habits, smart decisions and teamwork, leading to cows that rest more, experience stress less and perform better.

Investing In Systems

Effective manure management lays the foundation. Well-designed systems allow dairies to recycle valuable materials, such as sand bedding or manure solids, back into their operations.

Advanced separation technologies can transform manure streams into reusable bedding and nutrient-rich byproducts, reducing waste while supporting sustainable practices.

Integrated solutions should be designed to support these outcomes by addressing bedding and manure management.

Technologies such as dewatering, drying and manure separation help maintain consistent bedding conditions while improving overall system performance.

By reducing excess moisture and improving material handling, these systems contribute to healthier cows and more efficient operations.

“Success in dairy farming often comes down to the details,” Schrift said. “When you get manure system basics right — clean stalls, proper bedding, efficient manure systems — you set the foundation for healthier cows and stronger performance across the board.”

McLanahan’s initiative also includes the “Happy, Healthy Cows” podcast, an educational series that shares practical strategies for creating cleaner, more comfortable environments for dairy herds.

The podcast reflects McLanahan’s broader commitment to providing insights on bedding management, manure handling and freestall design — key factors that influence milk quality and animal well-being.

Visit mclanahan.com/solutions/dairy for additional details.

The “Happy, Healthy Cows” podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and the McLanahan website, with new episodes released monthly.