A well-conceived and coordinated plan is essential for a successful expansion that achieves the dairy family's objectives. Here are key areas to address and implement.

Winter work days are much better for dairyman Cameron Turner this year. This is the second winter he and his family’s dairy will be milking cows with robots in an enclosed barn. Their new dairy was finished in the fall of 2023.

While some university dairies have shut down in the last few decades, others are breaking ground on new research dairies to replace aging facilities or making renovations to update their current ones. Here is an overview of some of the facilities currently under construction.

While a barn fire is not something any dairy farm wants to go through, the Hofstra family has used their positive attitude and determination to build a barn for future generations.

This article is intended to help facilitate a discussion between an owner and an engineer to come to an agreement on the cost of engineering fees versus the scope and quality of services provided. Ideally, by having this conversation, the owner will get to explain what they value in their engineer, and the engineer can explain the cost associated with meeting the owner’s desires.

There are many things to consider before we even start to design a facility layout. First, we need to focus on priorities, long-term goals and education. Secondly, we need to make general systems decisions, and finally, we can begin focusing on layout and planning.

When it is time to consider new equipment or a new facility project, these three key principles will help provide clarity of purpose and ease of process.

In the realm of capital and collateral, the appraised value of dairy real estate, including specialized facilities, takes on great importance.

In this article, I’d like to share some common concerns I see arise and offer practical solutions. These are things you should consider during the design process whether you’re investing in a new facility or seeking to enhance an existing one.