 ARNOLD FARM —
EDGAR, WI
The Arnolds have made
many steps towards modernizing a 45-cow barn bought in 1999 to
a 100 cow and growing grazing dairy. A swing-13 parlor attached
to the old barn allows 110 cows to be milked in 2 hours. The barn
has retrofitted tie-stalls, but Peter and the cows prefer “out-wintering,”
a practice utilizing windbreaks and a bedded pack for the lactating
and dry herd. This practice although low-tech, low-cost, and unconventional
boasted an average BTSCC 80,000 for 2004 and works well with his
seasonal calving practice.
 |
1999
Farm purchased.
177 acres, including 45 milk cows and young stock, and a
limited line of equipment. Previous owner had practiced
managed grazing to some extent.
2000
Lane improvement
and fencing. More acreage converted from corn to permanent
pasture. |
 |
2001
Added headlocks to barn expanding
capacity from 45 to 80 to accommodate growing herd of approximately
65 milk cows. First year of out-wintering milk cows. He
then re-used the headlocks in the holding/feeding area behind
the new parlor. |
 |
2002
Started building
swing 13 parlor and holding/feeding alley. Cow numbers were
at 78. |
 |
2003
Completed parlor
for use in February, moved headlocks to holding/feeding
area and installed freestall loops into the barn. Cow numbers
were then 90. Parlor included grain feeding system. |
 |
2004
Additional purchase
of 80 acres. Added cow lane and fencing. Buried water lines
16 inches below ground throughout the whole farm. Cow numbers
were then 110. |
 |
2007
Contructed a 111 stall, 4 row freestall barn with feedbunks on the outside of the building. This enabled Peter to get the most amount of cow resting space under the roof for very cold or wet conditions. His herd continues to grow to close to 150 head.
|
 |
2007 |
| Peter’s
Advice on Outwintering Dairy Cattle
- Preferably no calving after the middle of September
- Plenty of wind-break
- Enough bedding on hand
- Frost-free water system
- Plenty of feeding space
- Easy access to the holding area.
- Use a high quality teat dip.
|
Parlor/Modernization
Price tag
| Building |
$24,435 |
| Concrete |
$33,214 |
| Excavation |
$3881 |
| Heating |
$4082 |
| Milking
Equip. |
$27,321 |
| Steel |
$9518 |
| Hardware/Misc.
|
$3589 |
| Excess
Labor |
$830 |
|
| Total
Cost |
$106,870 |
|
|
