Barn Design

Free cow traffic in automated milking systems

ppeetz@lely.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The introduction of automated milking systems nearly 30 years ago raised a key question: When should cows be milked?

Beyond the gate: What really drives sorting efficiency?

jamie.fox@gea.com — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Sort gates require proper installation, regular maintenance and care to perform optimally and meet expected sort percentages. Even small adjustments – like fine-tuning the antenna read range or resolving data integration issues – can significantly improve performance and cow management.

Maternity barn: Setting the stage for healthy beginnings

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Many dairy operations are reexamining their maternity barns and calf holding areas. In this article, we will explore five benefits of modernizing these facilities and the positive outcome improvements can bring for both your calves and your entire dairy operation.

Across the country: Using sort gates to improve reproduction

matti@agproud.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Technology continues to push the envelope when it comes to reproductive efficiency. Automated monitoring systems and sort gates have proven to be productive investments for dairy farms across the country.

The ‘toll’ of an automated milking barn design

keith.ortiz@delaval.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The dairy industry has spent the last few decades designing barns for automated milking – resulting in hundreds of different configurations – all of which have been a variation of two robots layouts: perpendicular and tollbooth.

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.

Go with your goals: How to choose the right cow flow system for your automated milking barn

stephanie.dillon@delaval.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A great feature of automated milking systems is the flexibility they can offer in terms of cow flow. For every producer interested in automated milking, the philosophy of, “If you can imagine it, it can become reality,” holds true, as there are a variety of cow traffic setups that can be used to help producers meet their goals.

Chris-Adie Holsteins: Staying cow-oriented while looking to the future

matti@agproud.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In a conversation with Matthew and Mike Flaman of Chris-Adie Holsteins, it’s obvious that their cows are top priority. Terms like “cow flow” and “cow comfort” pepper their descriptions of the operation. With an average of 38-40 litres of milk per day, the Holsteins of Chris-Adie are well cared for.

New barn makes winter work days better at Creekside Dairy

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

[Podcast] Reyncrest Farm with Tyler and Mackenzie Reynolds

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Discussing cow comfort, genetics, succession planning and social media presence, brother and sister Tyler and Mackenzie Reynolds join host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn how a new barn has resulted in increased production, how three siblings returned to the western New York dairy, the impact genetics has had on Reyncrest Farm’s herd and the opportunities that come with showcasing dairy farming on social media.

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.

The importance of clean water for disease prevention

audrey@agproud.com — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Although no single disease transmission pathway has been identified for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), one highly probable transmission route is through consuming contaminated water.

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.

Building dairy facilities to withstand the cold Montana winters

kimmi@agproud.com — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

What is it like to dairy in Montana? Three Montana dairymen describe their processes for preparing for harsh winter conditions.

Managing winter temperatures in naturally ventilated dairy barns

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

One of the most common issues that occur during the cold-weather months in a naturally ventilated dairy facility is a buildup of humidity that can lead to the creation of condensation on the inside surfaces of your building.

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.

Designing the right facility for your dairy operation

dhomb@boumatic.com — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 07:41:31 -0400

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.

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.

A 6-step guide to successful farm construction projects

askwor@msa-ps.com — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Digging the first shovel of dirt is a rite of passage for farmers – a mark of progress, action and the exciting beginning of a long-awaited project coming to fruition.

Natural ventilation design for your dairy

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Designing a natural ventilation system for your dairy involves putting together two necessary elements that create optimum conditions for year-round cow comfort.

Considerations in designing freestall barns for automation

rrugg@lely.com — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 09:51:44 -0400

When designing a new or retrofit barn for automation, it is essential to give much thought to cow comfort, as well as the flow of cows and people in the barn.

[Podcast] Derrick Josi: New facilities, social media, writing a book

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney talks with Derrick Josi, who is an Oregon dairy farmer and author that has built an online presence of 800,000 followers on Facebook. He recently moved cows into new facilities on the farm.

New balcony enhances visitor experience, safety on South Dakota dairy farm

kimmi@agproud.com — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:30:39 -0500

A South Dakota dairy farm that frequently provides farm tours to industry members, farmers and consumers developed a solution to maximize visitor experience while minimizing the disturbance to cows and employees in their maternity barn.

Building a winter-ready dairy in Alaska

kimmi@agproud.com — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

“You don’t mess around with winter here in Alaska,” Scott Plagerman says. “You have to have your act together.”

Strategies for controlling building costs on your dairy

jeff.prashaw@delaval.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:33:26 -0400

Making updates to your farm or expanding your operation with new construction may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the decisions you and your team make during the planning and design process will be felt for the life of the building. While realizing new facilities or a completely new dairy can be a complex and expensive undertaking, you can keep your project on track, within your budget and still reach the operational goals for your new building with the following strategies.

4 considerations for laying out your robot barn

bradley.biehl@amsgalaxyusa.com — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 06:37:30 -0400

Bedding stalls, manure alley cleaning, footbaths and sorting are four activities that will need to be managed differently when installing robots.

Putting the puzzle pieces together to build the best barn

amyt@advancedcomforttechnology.com — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:08:26 -0400

When you build a barn, it’s like you’re putting together a complex jigsaw puzzle. Since there are many pieces in the puzzle, it pays to spend time looking at the big picture to ensure you have all the pieces and they fit together the way you want.

How to design a freestall barn for snow loads

auz@mywebrocketmedia.com — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:00:01 -0500

While a blanket of snow covering the landscape may be a beautiful sight for some, it can also be a warning sign on some dairies if a building’s roof is not designed to handle heavy snowfall.

Benefits and drawbacks of monoslope barns

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 15:00:01 -0500

Areas of the U.S. have witnessed the growing use of monoslope buildings for beef operations as feedyards expand and adapt, but this trend hasn’t established itself in all cattle-raising regions.

Strategic barn design can make a big difference in day-to-day chores

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:56:44 -0400

Is your farming operation looking to expand? Are you currently milking in a tiestall barn and looking to upgrade into a freestall barn with a milking parlor? Or, maybe your current barn and parlor need updated. Completely changing your facilities and day-to-day operations can be very overwhelming. You’re so used to doing things a certain way, at least twice a day, and although it might be labor intensive, switching to something more labor friendly might seem daunting. If so, there are some key features I feel are of utmost importance when looking into building or upgrading a freestall barn and parlor.