DairyTalk 221: When Cows Get Shocked - Understanding and Fixing Stray Voltage - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Jan 10, 2026 · 11m

This case study illustrates how stray voltage in a modern dairy facility led to severe behavioral stress and health issues within a Swiss cattle herd. Despite improvements in hygiene and management, high somatic cell counts and nervous behavior persisted until faulty grounding and electrical potential differences were identified as the root cause. Implementing a comprehensive equipotential bonding system eliminated these creeping currents. The article highlights that proper electrical design is critical for animal welfare, as even advanced dairy barns can hide invisible electrical hazards…