How to Set Up a Milking Parlor
Milking parlors were introduced into dairy farming to maximize output. Among the types of parlors that exist are recessed, harringbone and rotary, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. To set up a milking parlor, determine your budget first. To save on costs, emphasize an efficient, well-built structure to house your cows and take time to select quality machinery and a select few, hard-working employees.
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Things You'll Need
- Pen
- Paper
- Certified milking equipment installer
- Milking equipment
- Sanitation materials
- Lighting system
- Ventilation system
Instructions
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1
Write up your financial plan. State the total amount of money you’re beginning your investment with.
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2
Decide and write down what type of milking parlor you can afford. Note the number of stalls you need for your cows, the number of milking machines and any remodeling that will have to be done in the interior to make your building efficient. Potential repairs include a sloping floor, drains and a ventilation system.
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3
Estimate the cost of each piece of equipment and repair. Necessary equipment includes milking machinery, cooling tanks and sanitation materials to prevent the spread of disease from cow to cow. Add 10 percent to your estimates. Overshoot each cost so you don’t end up not being able to afford your parlor. Equipment will vary slightly based on the type of parlor you decide to set up.
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4
Order equipment from a professional, certified milking system company. Arrange for the system installer to visit your property where you plan to put the parlor. The installer helps you organize and plan your parlor in a safe, efficient and sanitary manner.
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5
Prepare the building. Include the bare essentials: alleys for each cow that allow cows to turn 90 degrees in either direction, a holding area, cow platform and pit floor that slope in the same direction, an underground tunnel for heating, air, ventilation and milk lines and untouched areas to store equipment. The installer helps you setup these aspects of your parlor correctly.
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6
Put in a good lighting and ventilation system. Consult your energy company and ask if it offers an incentive program that will save you money.
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Tips & Warnings
If this is your first parlor, start small and work your way up. Put most of your money into building a structure that will last for many years and start with cheaper equipment. Equipment can be upgraded more easily than the structure itself.
Laws for building and maintaining a safe and sanitary milking parlor vary by state. You cannot set up a milking parlor alone. The installer of your milking equipment must be a certified professional that helps you with this process.
References
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