Background
In 2020, Winston Hurst of Dayton, Virginia, installed four 24-foot AmeriWind HVLS fans in his cattle barn. Originally used for beef cattle, the barn now supports around 240 head of replacement heifers, raised for other producers. AmeriWind’s Kevin Hoover caught up with Winston five years later to learn how the fans have held up and what impact they’ve had on daily operations.
The Setup
- Location: Dayton, VA
- Purchase Year: 2020
- Fans Installed: (4) 24-ft direct drive HVLS fans
- Operation: Heifer development facility (240 head)
- Goals: Ventilation, bedding reduction, and pneumonia prevention
Five Years Later: Key Outcomes
Health & Air Quality
While not all cattle health issues can be controlled, Winston observed a clear improvement in pneumonia prevention:
“We’re not having trouble with pneumonia, and that is one thing that [the fans] stopped.”
Although shipping fever remains a challenge due to animal sourcing, the regular old barn pneumonia that often affects calves has been greatly reduced.
Dramatic Bedding Savings
Winston noted a significant drop in bedding requirements since installing the fans:
“I believe it almost cut your bedding in half.”
This benefit is especially important for an operation using a mix of:
- Turkey brooder litter (from local co-ops)
- Corn fodder
- Straw
Even though the brooder litter contains some ammonia, Winston explained that the airflow provided by the fans helps mitigate the impact:
“The bedding is dry… but it still has some ammonia in it, and by running the fans, it takes care of that.”
Low Maintenance, High Reliability
In five years, Winston reported excellent reliability:
- No motor issues
- A few VFD failures attributed to lightning strikes, not equipment malfunction
“They’re definitely a good thing, especially a direct drive over a belt drive. That cuts a lot of parts out.”
Smart Operation
The fans are automated via a weather station and operate all year:
- Run slower in cold months
- Ramp up when temperatures hit the 70s or 80s
“We run them all year round… probably wide open at seventy or eighty degrees.”
The Ripple Effect: 200+ Referrals
Winston’s satisfaction turned into word-of-mouth marketing. His recommendation to CNC Farm Supply led to more than 200 additional fan installations:
“I keep telling [Steve] that he owes me one… He’s over 200 fans sold.”
Conclusion
Five years after installation, Winston Hurst continues to rely on his AmeriWind fans to support better air quality, fewer bedding costs, and healthier livestock. The fans require minimal maintenance and have become a year-round tool for barn comfort and efficiency.
“We’re really happy with them… I’m still waiting on my commission!”
Key Takeaways
- Bedding savings: ~50% reduction in bedding use
- Health benefits: Reduced pneumonia cases
- Reliability: Zero motor failures in five years
- Operational efficiency: Year-round use with weather automation
- Community impact: Referral led to 200+ fans sold
For more stories like Winston’s or to learn how AmeriWind fans could improve your barn, contact us today!
