Relocating or expanding a dairy facility
requires a tremendous amount of time and
planning. Owners or managers of dairies will
go through a number of steps including: 1)
developing a business plan; 2) choosing a
design process; 3) developing specifications;
4) selecting location/site; 5) obtaining permits/
legal; 6) obtaining bids; 7) selecting
contractors; 8) buying cattle; 9) purchasing
feeds; 10) financing; 11) managing construction;
12) hiring and training employees; 13)
developing management protocols for the
dairy; and 14) managing information flow.
The dairy can be divided into these components:
1) milking parlor; 2) cow housing; 3)
special needs facility (e.g., hospital,
closeups); 4) replacement heifer housing; 5)
manure management system; and 6) feed
center. This article will focus on milking
parlors, cow housing, grouping strategies,
and site selection.
