Author |
Topic |
|
happyfarmwife
64 Posts
|
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 4:08:39 PM
|
I am absolutely fascinated by grass based dairying in European countries. They move the cows to different pastures to harvest the grass or plants that flavor the milk for premium cheeses and ice creams. Often these special forage areas are quite a distance from the processing facility. To avoid the need to move the cows out a long distance and then back "home" for milking the parlor moves too! There are many different designs and options depending on the needs and demands of the herd. The milk cooling unit(bulk tank) is a separate unit so that the milk can be hauled to the processing plant or to the buyer. These mobile parlors are designed to keep the cow/human contact that is missing from the American "MEGA" dairies. Here's one mobile parlor that I thought could easily be adapted for homestead milking by using only one side and to be milking one cow while one was waiting to be next as cows are quite content to do. I have some drawings of this set up as well. Will post soon. |
|
happyfarmwife
64 Posts
|
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 4:27:35 PM
|
The wheels on this set up retract to allow the parlor to sit down to ground level. The person is in the center area between the cows coming in through the two sides. I think you could use a stock trailer and set it up for the cows to come in the rear and out the side door and make an awesome mobile milking space. Our world seems to always changing and it is nice to be able to adjust and adapt. I'm working on designing a welded frame set up similar to this that we can just drag from place to place as needs change. More milking designs, ideas and plans coming soon.
|
|
|
maryjane
7074 Posts
|
Posted - Aug 26 2015 : 12:28:38 PM
|
To access more of the plans Jen is so generously sharing with us, click here.
Click here to download a PDF with stanchion measurements.
Jen sent us more plans/photos for milking parlor/containment ideas. You can find the plans here.
Here the photo she sent.
|
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Aug 26 2015 : 6:53:01 PM
|
Thank you Jen and MaryJane. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
maryjane
7074 Posts
|
Posted - Aug 26 2015 : 11:14:15 PM
|
Once you look at Jen's plans, I'm sure she'd be willing to answer any questions you might have. Between Jen and her husband, Craig, they have close to 50 years of dairy experience. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
|
|
GingerBKelly
274 Posts
|
|
GingerBKelly
274 Posts
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Sep 08 2015 : 1:02:59 PM
|
Innovative. Thanks for sharing the information. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
GingerBKelly
274 Posts
|
Posted - Sep 08 2015 : 4:46:32 PM
|
The solar portable milker I noticed the Ultimate EZ Milker company has, and I'm sure there are others, seems ideal for a portable milking parlor. I love renewable energy, like solar, hydraulic and wind power. |
~Ginger Kelly, Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA~gingerbkelly@gmail.comWhen a cow laughs, does milk come out her nose? ~Author Unknown
Check us out on FB: https://www.facebook.com/KellyHomesteadApiary/ |
|
|
|
Topic |
|