Dairy Parlor Expansion

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Expandable Parlors

All parlors ought to be expandable. We have talked to 100s of dairymen over the years, who said, “I should have built a bigger parlor.” Not a single one complaining - yet “I built that darn parlor too big.”

If at all possible, plan on expanding the parlor in two phases. The building should already be large enough for the first expansion of two, four or six stalls. Then plan for twice the original size by allowing for the additional space in front of the building. Ask the builder to make the front wall removable so you can reinsert it into the larger building later on.

Even if you personally would never expand into ‘THAT large a parlor’, the next generation will fondly remember your foresight and wisdom twenty years hence.

Besides, the farm may go up for sale some day. It has a higher resale value if ample expansion is already planned in.

Expandable Parlor at Urs Grossenbachers, Loyal, WI

Urs planned for a dbl. 12 parlor down the road. He built the building for a dbl. 8 and installed a dbl. 6. We installed a temporary fence in front so the cows wouldn’t walk and crap in the unused area.. Also visible - the light duty, temporary curb on the right.

At the time of expansion:

- We remove and discard the temporary curbing and fence.

- We remove the ‘Exit Gate Group’

- Insert two 2-stall ’Mini-Modules’

- and re-install the Exit Gate Group

Urs' facility was very well planned for two phases of expansion. Dbl. 6 parlor installed in 2007.He expanded it to dbl. 8 in the Spring of 2009. We’d bet he expands again to the dbl.12 by 2014.

Dbl. 6 Parlor installed in dbl. 8 building

Dbl. 12 parlor in the early stages - building large enough for dbl. 8 with dbl. 6 installed. Milk house and machine room on the right. Offices and other support facilities will be added later on the left.

Plenty of space in front for dbl. 12 parlor. Plus lots of space on the left for two more free stalls

Center walk way from older free stalls to holding pen. Wall with roll-up curtains is part of current holding pen. Can be doubled in size in back by removing temporary walk way.