Milking Equipment & Parlor Systems

What Are Milking Parlor Systems?

Milking parlors are specialized facilities where cows are brought for milking. Modern parlor systems position cows at an elevated level so workers can attach milking units without bending, improving ergonomics and efficiency. Different parlor designs balance cow throughput, labor requirements, and capital costs.

Types of Milking Parlors

Parallel Parlors

Cows stand side-by-side at a 90-degree angle to the pit, with milking from the rear. This design is popular for herds of 200-1,000+ cows, offering good throughput and easy automation. Cows enter and exit in groups, with rapid indexing possible.

Herringbone Parlors

Cows stand at an angle (30-45 degrees) to the pit. This classic design works well for smaller herds (50-400 cows) and is less expensive than parallel systems. Udder access is from the side rather than rear.

Rotary Parlors

Cows stand on a rotating platform while workers remain stationary. Best suited for large herds (500+ cows) that need maximum throughput. Rotaries can milk 60-80+ cows per operator per hour but require significant capital investment.

Swing Parlors

Milking units swing between two rows of cows, reducing equipment costs at the expense of some efficiency. Suitable for smaller operations with budget constraints.

Robotic/Automatic Milking Systems

Cows voluntarily enter milking stations where robots attach and detach units automatically. Best for herds of 60-250 cows per robot, with focus on labor reduction rather than throughput maximization.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Parlor

Cow Throughput

How many cows need to be milked in each session? A common target is completing milking within 4-5 hours, which determines required parlor capacity and stall count.

Labor Availability

How many workers are available for milking shifts? This affects whether you prioritize cow throughput per operator (parallel, rotary) or total labor requirement (robotic).

Capital Budget

Parlor costs range from $5,000-15,000+ per stall depending on design and automation level. Rotary systems have higher initial costs but may offer labor savings at scale.

Expansion Plans

Will you add cows in the future? Some parlor designs expand more easily than others. Consider future growth when sizing your system.

Do You Need to Upgrade?

Consider parlor upgrades if:

• Current milking times exceed target duration
• Labor for milking is becoming difficult to find or afford
• Equipment is outdated and maintenance costs are increasing
• You're expanding the herd beyond current parlor capacity
• Cow flow and handling cause stress or safety concerns

Cost Considerations

New parallel parlors typically cost $300,000-800,000+ depending on size and automation. Rotary systems range from $500,000-1.5M+. Robotic systems cost $150,000-250,000 per robot (each handling 60-70 cows). Include costs for building, holding areas, crowd gates, and related infrastructure.

Questions to Ask Vendors

• What's the expected cow throughput with your design?
• What are ongoing maintenance and supply costs?
• How does the system integrate with herd management software?
• What training and support is included?
• Can you provide references from similar-sized operations?