With the average U.S. dairy herd sizes more than doubling in the last two decades, producers nationwide face a critical question: When does herd growth demand parlor expansion?

When you consider that milk is a dairy’s top revenue source, milking technicians have a huge impact on the operation’s profitability. If parlor performance lags or procedures drift, the entire enterprise may be at risk.

Efficiency is the key to success in the dairy industry. There are never enough hours in the day to do everything you want to do, so maximizing those hours, minutes and even seconds is the hallmark of a good operation.

It might seem counterintuitive to work on something that isn’t broken, but a small amount of effort can prevent major disruptions down the line. By dedicating a small amount of time to maintenance tasks now, you can avoid costly downtimes and ensure your dairy operation runs smoothly and efficiently.

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.

Whether you are looking to invest in milk meters for the first time or upgrading your current system, it is important to consider what you are trying to accomplish with parlor data.

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.