What 30 Years of Cow Behavior Taught Us About Barn Design: with John de Jonge | Ep. 139

<p>A freestall may look like a fairly simple piece of bent steel. But behind its modern design lies decades of observation, experimentation, failure and research into how cows naturally move, rest and behave.</p><p>John de Jonge grew up on a dairy farm in British Columbia before entering agricultural manufacturing and dairy barn equipment. In the 1990s, he became part of a small group that began using time-lapse video and early sensor technology to study cows in pasture and inside freestall barns.</p><p>What they discovered challenged many of the industry’s assumptions.</p><p>Freestalls were often too short, too narrow and too restrictive. Neck rails were positioned incorrectly. Pipes were placed in the cow’s natural movement path. The industry had focused heavily on the strength and durability of the steel—but not enough on how the cow actually used the space.</p><p>In this episode, John shares how that research helped reshape freestall design around the world. He and Paul also examine why the “best” housing system depends on climate, bedding, manure handling, labor and management—and why copying a successful neighboring dairy can still end badly.</p><p>The technology inside dairy barns continues to change, but one principle has not: the entire system is only as strong as the environment it creates for the individual cow. Listen now!</p><p><strong>MEET THE GUEST</strong></p><p>John de Jonge grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, where he developed an early interest in machinery, manufacturing and dairy housing.</p><p>After studying agricultural mechanics and engineering at Olds College, John worked in several manufacturing environments before purchasing a small agricultural fabrication business at age 25. He went on to help develop and expand dairy housing equipment across North America and international markets.</p><p>During the 1990s, John worked alongside researchers, veterinarians and other industry specialists to study cow behavior using time-lapse video and early sensor technology. That work helped challenge conventional assumptions about freestall dimensions, neck-rail placement and the space cows require to rise, rest and move naturally.</p><p>John is now focused on InBarn, where he continues to help dairy producers and their advisors design facilities around cow comfort, management realities and long-term operational performance.</p><p><br /></p><p>ABOUT THE PODCAST</p><p>Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels, and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVFpJcmx3WDVuaG5Pc0ttYlVIcHJmdnxBR3JiS2FsOTZVVXhhZ3lieVNDcGZ3QlA3TU5keU1NV3JtVk9Nb1ZESVNPSzRyRFd6dmJCVXdKcTZtMTlGazNSSXRkdmFEd2JHZlhRSWJtZGtoUWFidmtjdnJqZmJpQ2R3aXNx&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agculturepodcast.com%2F&amp;v=asALkQthyUc" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://www.agculturepodcast.com</a> and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.<br /></p><p><br /></p>