Dairy Farm Layout and Design: Building and Yard Design, Warm Climates

Abstract

There is a wide variety of building yard and other infrastructure designs in common use on dairy farms in warm climates which are presented in this article. Some factors that are important in determining the most suitable design include 1) the predominant forage source, 2) the degree of heat stress that is expected, 3) the amounts and patterns of rainfall, 4) labor considerations, and 5) the size of the dairy herd. All facility design tends to be a compromise, often between many factors, and no single solution will be optimal for all concerned. However careful planning will alleviate many of the unforeseen management problems that often occur when new dairy farm facilities are put into service.