New Dairy

[pilot-werx]

As a member of the board and a long time lurker, I was wondering if there is anyone who would be interested in the construction of our new dairy? We outgrew our current place ten years ago and have finally taken the plunge into creating what we think will be the most efficient dairy in north america... Although everyone said it would not be possible, I started with no power, no city water, no city sewer, and 40 acres of trees. Now that the building is going up, the skeptics are in awe of what we have done....

Would it be worth something to someone to try to document this?

 

[300UGUY]

Sounds great!!!!

 

[BrianinMichigan]

I don't see why not, Everybody likes a good story.
Hey 300UGUY, I'm in Fowlerville.

 

[300UGUY]

I don't see why not, Everybody likes a good story.
Hey 300UGUY, I'm in Fowlerville.

Wow!! I am in the ville most days. I live in Cohoctah township, but I am in the ville's school district. I belong to the Masonic lodge & St Agnes church. I go to the Olden Days cafe quite often.

 

[tractorshopper]

Would love to see this.

 

[teg]

...Would it be worth something to someone to try to document this?

For sure... Is this your own design?

 

[Bilko]

Anxiously waiting for pics!!!

 

[treman]

I for one would love to see it. My wife is in love with her goats(probably more than she is with me) and anything I do to keep her happy keeps me in tractors and tools without question. bring on the pictures.

 

[Ken]

If remember correct you have 40 acres. Are you building for holstein or gernsey Petagreed or commercial type cattle .
Going to purchase the feed or home grown takes a lot of acreage.
What type of building and milking parlor. tye stall or dual 6 or 10 stations. But then the newest is the auto milkers hard to get financing for the quarter millon each .
Helped build a couple of new dairy barns one was for 1200 commercial cows could not get enough workers to fill the barn only able to get 800 and not paying the feed bill then bank wanted there money back. lot of tears at the disposal sale.
The other was for 80 head tye stall with water cooled filter to keep the temp low in the summer. Going on 7 years and the feed bill has become the biggest problem exceeds the milk price. Has all the hay but grain prices are forcing the barn to close. Sale will be the 15th of March. Banker wants his money back.
Don't want to be negitave but have attended dairy sales this past year all because of the ecomony down turn and cost of feed.
Would like to see the pics. of your new barn building. and milkinmg equiptment.
If need to buy more cattle know where a herd of 250 head is going for bit over beef prices.
All 3 to 5 generation excellant.
ken

 

[blueriver]

YES ... Pictures Please !!

 

[tech141]

YUUUP!!!

I would be interested in the progress. You gotta post pics though..... PLease.

 

[Ken]

YES ... Pictures Please !!

Blueriver Did you know Mr. Kleeman from Pryor Okla.
ken

 

[blueriver]

Blueriver Did you know Mr. Kleeman from Pryor Okla.
ken

I had not known him ... if we are talking of the Auctioneer of Kleeman Sales Company ... his reputation was a fine one.

 

[Ken]

I had not known him ... if we are talking of the Auctioneer of Kleeman Sales Company ... his reputation was a fine one.

Was a person to know Sadly cancer won.
Do you do Dairy sales ? Holstein

Going to be a 250 head sale of pedagreed stock High Feed prices and low milk prices won also.
ken

 

[blueriver]

Was a person to know Sadly cancer won.
Do you do Dairy sales ? Holstein

Going to be a 250 head sale of pedagreed stock High Feed prices and low milk prices won also.
ken

Yes ...On site at the dairy farm ... pedigrees are read during the sale of the animal. Cattle are cataloged with the pedigree and production records. We set up portable panels and a portable auction ring under tent or make use of a large open loafing shed. A lot of deep bright bedding and wood shavings. Showmanship is essential for each animal. I also like refreshments and lunch available for the folks at the auction.

 

[Ken]

Yes ...On site at the dairy farm ... pedigrees are read during the sale of the animal. Cattle are cataloged with the pedigree and production records. We set up portable panels and a portable auction ring under tent or make use of a large open loafing shed. A lot of deep bright bedding and wood shavings. Showmanship is essential for each animal. I also like refreshments and lunch available for the folks at the auction.

blueriver It was kind of and invite to come and purchase the cows .
The program been already set and cataloged to be held March 15th.
I'm leasing my property to the Dairyman and he keeps the dry cows on 80 acre part and the yearlings on the 40 acre part.
And has decided to quit trying to keep going with the feed prices exceeding the milk in come every month.
So now only one dairy will remain in the county 30 years ago there were over a hundred.
There are some comercial type cattle small family dairys but the large are gone.
ken

 

[blueriver]

blueriver It was kind of and invite to come and purchase the cows .
The program been already set and cataloged to be held March 15th.
I'm leasing my property to the Dairyman and he keeps the dry cows on 80 acre part and the yearlings on the 40 acre part.
And has decided to quit trying to keep going with the feed prices exceeding the milk in come every month.
So now only one dairy will remain in the county 30 years ago there were over a hundred.
There are some comercial type cattle small family dairys but the large are gone.
ken

Understood ... I don't have a dairy and there are non around me. I would be interested in reviewing the auction info. Do they have something online? Or could you get me a catalog?

 

[Ken]

Understood ... I don't have a dairy and there are non around me. I would be interested in reviewing the auction info. Do they have something online? Or could you get me a catalog?

Send my a p.m.with address and will send the catalog.
ken

 

[Carl_NH]

Pilot-werx,

Yes, I would very much like to see pics of your new dairy setup! Back in the 20s-50's our family had a dairy and delivered door to door. They got stung by the pastureization and homogenzation process - another larger processor won the market based on preferences at the time. Our family had Jerseys - highest BF content and great milk but the consumer won but lost at the same time looking back.

Then in the 80's I installed milking systems/parlors with automated feeding based on production so yes, I would very much like to see the "new standard" in dairy operations.

BTW I am close enough and would love to see your operation if you are open to visitors.

Carl

 

[pilot-werx]

I am sorry that I have not really had the time since the original post to follow up. Here is a progress photo of where I am at. The pond you see is 20' deep, about 500,000 gallons, 100% dug in clay and spring fed. Everyone needs a pond right?

The building is comprised of a steel skeleton and wrapped with SIP panels. The walls are 8.25" solid foam and the roof is 12.5" solid foam.

Being an engineer by education, I decided to take on the role of playing the GC for the whole project including all of the state and town approvals. The site started as 40 acres of trees, I had to develop my own water source, design a radical septic system and had the local utility run 2 miles of three-phase power to me.