Parlor Types

The dual path of scale and efficiency

ppmadero@maderoequipos.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. dairy industry has arrived at its position of global strength by producing more milk with the same number of cows across a fraction of the farms. It did so not by choosing between scale and efficiency, but by pursuing both.

The keys to longevity in milk systems: Maintenance, planning and leadership

kfiene@boumatic.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Longevity in your milking system is about more than just buying a quality product. How you manage your dairy along the way is going to determine how long your system lasts.

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?

Start your rotary parlor the right way

andy.lenkaitis@gea.com — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Investing in a rotary parlor is a big commitment – financially and logistically. With a plan that prioritizes people and cows, you can help ensure the rotary keeps turning for years to come with a well-executed startup.

Rotary parlors are a smart choice for any dairy

courtney.claypool@delaval.com — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Few things reflect a well-run dairy like relaxed, happy cows chewing their cud in the milking parlor. Rotary parlors are designed to support that kind of consistency. They bring comfort and efficiency to the milking process through steady movement and streamlined routines.

Keep it flowing: How smart maintenance extends the life of your parlor

kcarlson@boumatic.com — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The milking parlor is the heart of any dairy. But like any hardworking system, it needs the right care at the right time to deliver peak performance over the long haul. When you skip maintenance or use low-quality replacement parts, problems build up fast.

Milk in motion: Mastering the tempo of parlor performance

craig.walter@vas.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Milking parlors are the drumbeat of a dairy – fast-paced, dynamic environments where small changes make a big difference.

How to elevate parlor management with milk monitoring technology

curtis.horsens@merck.com — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Balancing automation technology and employee management

chris.singleton@waikatomilking.com — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Milking automation represents not only a technological advancement but a fundamental shift in dairy farm management. While automation simplifies processes, the human touch remains indispensable. Successfully managing employees requires finding the right balance between leveraging the power of technology and nurturing a supportive, engaged work environment.

Four factors to maximize time, resources in the parlor

akinney@boumatic.com — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Robots vs. rotaries: Employee engagement improvements among the highlights for Edaleen Dairy, Wilsonview Dairy

kimmi@agproud.com — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Improved labor efficiency, employee retention and communication were among the benefits for two Pacific Northwest dairy farms that upgraded their milking parlors from the traditional herringbone and parallel models to a rotary and an automated milking system, respectively.

[Podcast] Robots and rotaries with Torie Little and Stephanie Schroeder

Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Robots or a rotary parlor? As this question continues to be debated nationwide, Progressive Dairy Podcast host Matti McBride sits down with Torie Little of TDSG and Stephanie Schroeder of Boumatic to identify key points that dairy producers need to understand when investing in an automated milking system. Listen to learn about attributes of successful transitions, questions asked during the process and how certain management styles fit different technologies.

Navigating between internal and external milking systems: Understanding your dairy's needs

aoughton@boumatic.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

To continue meeting consumer demand, successful producers must invest in their operations, including their milking systems. Deciding to invest in a rotary parlor will set the course for your business for the next two decades (or more).

SDSU dairy research farm to close but mark on industry remains

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Since the late 1800s, South Dakota State University (SDSU) has played a pivotal role in the advancement of dairy farming, and it would be remiss not to mention the thousands of undergraduate students who have gone on to develop a career as dairy producers or industry allies along the I-29 Corridor and across the nation.

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 the right foundation for your rotary milking system

jane.burton@waikatomilking.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 11:52:29 -0500

The platform is the starting point for constructing a robust, efficient and scalable rotary milking system that can solve your farm’s unique challenges and withstand the rigors of daily farm life.

Benchmarks for rotary performance in the first year of operation

courtney.claypool@delaval.com — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The first year of milking cows in a rotary can be both a dynamic and humbling experience; the learning curve is different for every individual farm.

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.

Are low-cost parlors the industry’s best-kept secret?

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

J Schanbacher has milked in his fair share of milking systems, but there is one design that has met all his expectations as a dairy producer.

Robots to rotary: Morey family expands Unique Valleystream

katie@agproud.com — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 21:03:32 -0400

When the Moreys decided to expand, the robots had to be upgraded or replaced. They decided to build a barn and parlour for the future, preparing the Morey family farm for the next generation.

Small dairies can ease labor needs with rotary parlors

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 19:20:39 -0400

The labor shortage facing the dairy industry today has created new urgency for producers to be efficient. Automation is no longer nice to have; it is necessary to stay competitive.

Management style impacts milking procedures for rotary parlors

courtney.claypool@delaval.com — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 15:59:56 -0400

Harvesting high-quality milk as quickly and efficiently as possible is more important than ever for large dairy farms. For this reason, rotary parlors have become a popular option for farms looking to transition from milking cows in straight parlors.

Milking equipment changes that made an impact on throughput

karen@agproud.com — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:31:24 -0400

The definition of efficiency is “the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time or energy.” Upgrading milking equipment – whether adding a new element to an existing system or an entirely new parlor – is one way to make efficiency gains. This article looks specifically at methods used by three farms to milk more cows in a day.