Building a new calf-raising facility is an expensive investment and not always an option. Converting an existing structure, whether it’s a pole shed or an old stanchion barn, to house and raise calves can be a great option – if proper ventilation practices are followed.

With over 20% of farms in Canada utilizing automated milking, there are examples of both good and poor designs put into practice. Additionally, there are many options on the market to automate feeding and manure removal, which also impact barn design.

Automated milking systems have gained popularity in recent years for a variety of reasons, whether it is reducing labour, gaining a more flexible schedule or desiring herd management data.

Making updates to your farm or expanding your operation with new construction may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the decisions you and your team make during the planning and design process will be felt for the life of the building. While realizing new facilities or a completely new dairy can be a complex and expensive undertaking, you can keep your project on track, within your budget and still reach the operational goals for your new building with the following strategies.