Expansion

When growing herds outpace milking capacity: Strategic expansion for today's dairy operations

akinney@boumatic.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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?

Cultivating stronger business relationships with your neighbors

steve.schwoerer@compeer.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A crucial aspect demanding significant attention when planning a dairy expansion is securing feed for the additional cows and managing the increased manure production.

Coordinated planning for a successful dairy expansion

jim.moriarty@compeer.com — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

The transforming power of technology: Ninnemann Enterprises Inc.

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

For Aaron Ninnemann, his family’s dairy farm is a classic example of a generationally run business whose family members have worked diligently for decades, making a name for themselves within the dairy industry. The Ninnemanns embraced automated milking in a tiestall barn retrofit to keep dairying alongside a growing cash crop operation.

Dream Winds Dairy: Building their dreams from the ground up

kimmi@agproud.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The first six years after starting their dairy were action-packed for the Windemuller family as they purchased their property, economically grew their herd and converted existing buildings – including a turkey coop and a tiestall barn – into functional dairy facilities.

Three principles of successful dairy facility projects

layman.pierce@delaval.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Incorporate these design considerations for rotary parlor facilities

robert.pol@delaval.com — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

There are several design aspects to consider when planning a new rotary milking facility, including the following concepts. Do the research and plan before breaking ground to save you headaches and, most likely, money if last-minute changes are requested.

Breathe new life into your milking parlor with an upgrade or retrofit

jane.burton@waikatomilking.com — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:15:50 -0400

As dairy farms grow and evolve, so do their milking parlor and technology needs. While many farms start with basic systems, as herds grow and milk production increases, the time may come when upgrades and retrofits are necessary.

Key factors to consider for building a parlor expansion

dmoore@boumatic.com — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Four factors we see with successful robot retrofits

jouni.pitkaranta@netikka.fi — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:00:01 -0400

Milking in a parlor is hard work. It is fixed on certain times and requires a great deal of labor. For that reason, both small farms and large farms are looking at options to automate milking.

Expansion could be possible with what you already have

robert.pol@delaval.com — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 13:00:01 -0400

In the difficult times we are currently facing, expansion opportunities may be on hold or even canceled, but do they need to be? Could automatic milking still be the next step for your facility?

Dairyman retrofits small parlors on a budget

Wed, 13 May 2020 02:48:56 -0400

Steven Weaver of Meadowley Farm in Morrisville, New York, milks his seasonal herd of 65 cows in his handmade retrofitted parlor. With two people milking, the cows are all back out onto pasture in one hour. But it wasn’t always that way.

Reconstructing the idea of a retrofit

keith.ortiz@delaval.com — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 13:00:01 -0400

Retrofitting a dairy barn has been a popular choice to make upgrades more affordable than they would be when building new, yet “retrofitting” isn’t unique to the dairy industry.

Which dairy equipment has the best payback?

wdavis@flds1.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 22:07:19 -0400

As you ponder this question, consider the following: 1) It runs every day. 2) It runs for multiple hours each day. 3) On many dairies, it runs around the clock, every day. 4) It harvests your most valuable crop.

What type of investment should dairy producers consider making to their milking systems this year?

karen@agproud.com — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:00:01 -0500

For most dairies, profits found in 2020 will likely be used to pay back debt accrued in recent years. Financial advisers also suggest using profits to grow the business or make it more efficient. Since the milking system is the most heavily used equipment on the farm, it could be an area worthy of added investment.

Facility planning

pew2@cornell.edu — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 16:54:49 -0500

Dairy farming is a constantly changing business. Farming for the long-term requires a facility that changes as well. Expansion, new technology and new enterprises may all be in every sustainable farm’s future.

Fair Oaks Farms opens robotic milking facility, observation area

karen@agproud.com — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:01:48 -0500

Fifteen years after Fair Oaks Farms opened its doors to the public to showcase modern agriculture and innovation in the industry, the farm’s founders, Mike and Sue McCloskey, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its latest adoption of technology – an 800-cow freestall barn with 12 milking robots.

Slideshow: Fair Oaks Farms robot barn and visitor center

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:20:26 -0500

On Nov. 14, Fair Oaks Farms held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new automated milking facility. The barn can hold up to 840 cows with 12 robots positioned in the center of the barn.

Single-stall robot facilities: The scalability factor

jeff.prashaw@delaval.com — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 13:00:01 -0400

Scalability gives a certain level of flexibility to the way a farm can grow with robots, giving the producer a clear picture of what to expect throughout the path they choose, as well as how they can cash-flow the changes. We’ll demonstrate this using the context of a large herd robotic milking facility design planned for multiple phases of future expansion.

Robots solved labor issues, improved efficiencies at Green Waves Farm

karen@agproud.com — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 13:00:01 -0400

Almost 10 years ago, brothers Mark and Paul Berning decided to install an automated calf feeder to assist with one of the tasks at Green Waves Farm in St. Michael, Minnesota.

Spring Breeze Dairy: A turn-key transformation

peggy@upleveldairy.com — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 18:00:22 -0400

In the sandy soils of Wisconsin’s Northwoods sits the old sawmill city of Antigo.

How to plan a robot barn to maximize labor efficiency

jouni.pitkaranta@netikka.fi — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 18:32:54 -0400

An automatic milking system (AMS) or robot is an advanced and well-working technology for milking cows and takes the labor away from the actual milking process. However, it is vital to remember that one cannot just trust the milking machine to ensure cow welfare and production or even efficient labor usage.

Do’s and don’ts in designing a robot barn

karen@agproud.com — Wed, 22 May 2019 22:29:41 -0400

When it comes to the adoption of automated milking systems, Dr. Nigel Cook said, “The U.S. is way behind. “This is a European system being transplanted in North America and that’s great because we can learn from some of the teething problems and issues that Europe has had to deal with, but we also create some other problems and challenges that they haven’t,” he continued.

Develop a plan for barn construction

wdavis@flds1.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:55:39 -0400

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Achieving any significant accomplishment is not the result of luck or chance. The winning Super Bowl team is not surprised they won. They know their reward is the result of great teamwork, good communication and, most importantly, from having a plan that was followed exactly as practiced.

Robot barns: Retrofit or build new?

wdavis@flds1.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 13:00:01 -0400

For dairies considering robotic milking, one common question often asked is whether it is best to build a new barn or retrofit an existing one. The answer, typically, is: “It depends.” I suggest your answer be based on which scenario offers the best return on investment, meets the goals of the dairy (especially for tomorrow) and satisfies the budget.

4 ways to cut back on a new build without compromising cow comfort

arambrosius@baylandbuildings.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 13:00:01 -0400

Trying to figure out how to make the numbers work on a new-construction barn can be a bit challenging when you know exactly what you want, but the price exceeds your budget allowance. Cow comfort is not an area to skimp, but there are other things a dairy owner can do to be more cost-effective with a project.

Pros and cons of four different robot configurations

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:56:28 -0400

Whether you are building a new barn or retrofitting an existing structure, deciding on the proper robot layout is a critical yet enjoyable process.

Charting your future: Options for updating your milking system

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 14:00:01 -0500

“Management makes milk” is a quote that resonates today more than ever. Discovering your operational strengths will allow you to chart the best course for your future.

Robotic batch milking: A new concept combining conventional barn design and automated milking

ppmadero@maderoequipos.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:30:01 -0500

With more than 30 years of experience in farm planning and design to the complete delivery of turn-key projects, using state-of-the-art technology, we are now presenting our new concept of fully automated milking.

Robots bring beneficial cost savings to Majestic Crossing Dairy

karen@agproud.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:42:27 -0500

Traditionally, success for automated milking has been measured by increased milk and reduced labor. One full year after starting up robots, Majestic Crossing Dairy is finding additional value in this investment through savings in hoof trimming, mastitis treatments and water use.