In 2008, ISU built a new dairy farm for research, teaching, and extension programs. The farm was designed for approximately 400 milking cows, plus capacity for developing heifers. The lactating cows are housed in a curtain-sided barn with free stalls. The free stalls are bedded with wood shavings and/or separated manure solids. The alley manure is scraped daily into a pit and moved to the solids separator.