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This Northern WI dairy farm is certified organic and is milking around 40 cows. The cows are intensively rotationally grazed. In 2005 they constructed a new shell for a milking parlor and continued to utilize the existing milkhouse in order to control costs.
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A double 11 low cost swing parlor was constructed inside of the new shell. The goal in mind was to build a milking parlor that was capable of efficiently and safely milking cows while utilizing existing onfarm resources to keep costs to a minimum.
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This parlor has many desireable features that make it appealing to most visitors. It has spacious ceilings,is nicely painted, well lighted and easy to clean.
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This is the manpass entrance into the pit. Notice the high traction step that allows safe entrance into the operating pit area.
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This parlor has an H-frame type stall design and in this case was prefabricated by a local company.
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Currently the producer is utilizing the parlor with only 8 milking units. The cattle are at a 70 degree angle (parabone) which allows for milking units to be attached between the hind legs but also some access ahead of the hind legs.
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Since there is currently only 8 stalls being utilized in this parlor, the chop gate was installed to allow only 8 animals into the parlor which is capable of holding 11 on each side. The chop gate hinges down to effectively cut off the following group of cows that have not been milked.
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Both sides of the parlor exit out to the right and through this door. This door leads into the return lane which runs next to the barn in a small leanto along the north side of the barn.
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The return alley is approximately 6-8 feet wide and returns the cows post-milking beyond the holding area and back into the stall barn or out to pasture.
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The parlor is heated by a forced air furnace. Tubing for nfloor heat was also installed into the pit floor as an option for heating in the future. Installing the tubing prior to pouring the cement is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. Many people are doing this for potential future use.
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Milk is pumped from the milking parlor, thru the end of the stall barn and into the existing milkhouse.
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The existing milkhouse was still in useable condition, therefore, was used in an effort to cut costs.
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Since the milking parlor is clean in place and the milking units stay in the parlor, this allows for less congestion in the milkhouse and makes it feel more spacious than in the past.
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Some plumbing updates were made in the parlor and Pex tubing replaced the old copper.
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The existing bulk tank was also utilized since the herd size has not increased.
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