Dairy Barn Ventilation Calculator
Fan airflow for a dairy freestall barn by cow count.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Total fan airflow needed
- 180,000 CFM
- Fans at 20,000 CFM each
- 9
- Airflow per stall
- 1,200 CFM
Quick answer
Dairy cows in freestall barns are commonly cooled with about 1,000-1,500 CFM of directed airflow per cow in the resting area.
CFM = cows x CFM per cow
How to use the Dairy Barn Ventilation Calculator
- 1Count the resting/feeding herd size to cool.
- 2Apply 1,000-1,500 CFM per cow for effective heat-stress reduction.
- 3Position fans along the feed line and resting stalls for direct airflow on the cows.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Number of cows150
- CFM per cow1200 CFM
Results
- Total fan airflow needed180,000 CFM
- Fans at 20,000 CFM each9
- Airflow per stall1,200 CFM
Frequently asked questions
Why cool cows directly?
Heat stress cuts milk production significantly; direct air movement is more effective than just barn ventilation.
Combine with sprinklers?
Yes — soaking plus airflow (evaporative cooling) is the standard heat-abatement combination.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.