But Welsh farmers looking to invest in new dairy cow housing or to adapt their current setup to suit changing needs can now get help with designs and costings thanks to the new Housing the 21st Century Cow pack from the Milk Development Council.

Bringing together worldwide research, the pack offers producers a "one-stop-shop" for housing needs that includes a comprehensive report and a housing "wizard" to explore the practical and financial implications of such projects, as well as the options.

What has prompted the production of this pack is that many cattle housing systems were installed in the 1970s and 1980s, before the Holstein Friesian became predominant in the UK dairy herd. As a result, today's cow is considerably larger, so many animals have simply outgrown their housing system.

Source: ic Wales