Are you considering expanding your milking parlor? If so, you probably know how daunting of a task it can be. However, with proper planning and the right resources, expanding your parlor can increase efficiency and productivity for your operation.
Let’s discuss key factors to consider for an expansion that will help you make informed decisions and achieve your goals for your dairy.
Set clear goals and evaluate the current facilities
I often tell dairy producers, “A pencil is cheaper than a jackhammer.” Planning is the most important thing you can do before greenlighting an expansion. In fact, inadequate planning is the most common mistake I see made. First, you need to consider your primary goals. Ask yourself:
- What are my main goals for this expansion?
- Do I want to increase herd size?
- Do I want to improve throughput or reduce milking times?
- Do I need to upgrade aging equipment?
- Is my existing parlor adequate for future growth?
Next, evaluate your current facilities, including the age and condition of the current parlor and facility. Also consider if the current facility can accommodate more cow numbers, whether there is enough feedbunk space, if freestalls need to be expanded, and if there is enough water availability and water storage.
Depending on your goals and the state of your current facility, an expansion may not be the answer. You may just need a remodel, or it could be time for a new facility.
Seek advice from others
The great thing about the dairy industry is the vast number of resources available. Do not be afraid to ask for advice. To help with your planning, you should talk with other dairies that have expanded, your financial adviser or lender, your equipment dealer, a builder specializing in dairy construction and/or your local co-op.
First, I encourage you to reach out to dairy farmers who have recently done an expansion. Go and visit their dairy to see what they have done and ask for advice. This is also your opportunity to see in person if you like the builder’s work.
You also need to consider the cost of the expansion and if it outweighs the benefits. Talk with your financial adviser or lender to determine what would be a smart financial decision for your operation.
Next, reach out to your equipment dealer or a builder. They can assist with facility and parlor planning. That includes advice on equipment selection, parlor layouts, creating CAD drawings and more.
You will also want to seek advice on how you can still operate your dairy if you do an expansion project. Do you install a temporary parlor to use during construction? Or do you work on one side while you milk on the other?
Doing a parlor update instead
Sometimes an expansion is not necessary. Once you establish the goals for your dairy and evaluate your current facilities, a parlor update may make more sense.
To update your parlor to reach your goals, there are several things you can do. First, you can simply update your parlor with new equipment to improve cow flow or speed up milking times.
If you want to expand your herd size, you may be able to do so by adding parlor stalls. For example, if you are working with a double-10 milking parlor, scale up to a double-16 if your facility size allows.
Selecting new equipment for the expansion or update
If you do decide to expand or update your milking parlor, selecting new equipment is a crucial step. The equipment you use impacts the performance and efficiency of the parlor as well as the quality of milk production.
When choosing new equipment, consider your goals and the kind of information you want.
Once you know your goals, you can begin to select technologies that will best help you meet those goals. Depending on what you are currently using, there are many options you can consider, from basic milk yield indicators to ICAR-certified milk meters and even highly sophisticated in-line milk analyzers.
If your expansion is a short-term solution until you build new, select equipment that can be used in your future facility.
Building for a parlor expansion
If you decide to build a new facility, remember to not build for where you are today. Build to where you want to be in the future. That may mean building a facility now with the option to expand later.
Consider plans for growth, what is needed to achieve that growth and if the things installed now can handle a future expansion.
When considering if something can handle a future expansion, you need to consider vacuum systems, cooling, water storage and more. If the answer is “No,” can you install larger systems now to accommodate a future expansion? Small costs and considerations now can mitigate larger costs and issues in the future.
Expanding your milking parlor can seem overwhelming. But with careful planning and the right guidance, you can achieve your goals. Go in with Plan A and always have a Plan B. Thorough and detailed planning today will reduce headaches and costs in the future, and then you can successfully expand your milking parlor and take your operation to the next level.
