The Foundations of Farmstead Planning

Brian J. HolmesExtension Agricultural Engineer

Biological Systems Engineering Dept.College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Nolan AndersenDairy and Livestock Agent

Dane CountyUniversity of Wisconsin - Extension

Facilities Plan Promotes:

1. Labor savings

2. Natural ventilation

3. Surface drainage

4. Convenient materials handling

5. Space for expansion

6. Avoids Mistakes

What is the Advisor’s Role?* Learn to listen/read between the lines* Identify the family’s vision* Identify the short term goals* Help the dairyman recognize the multitude of options * Help dairyman learn more about viable options - Identify other advisors/consultants - Visit others to view and discuss - Provide reading materials - Encourage discussions with vendors* Identify benefits and limitations of viable options* Start the planning process

Steps to Dairy Modernization Write down goals Hone management skills Feasibility analysis

Reconsider and rewrite goals Develop business plan Develop facilities & farmstead plans and costs Check against feasibility analysis and goals Obtain financing Contract for facilities

Management Land Base Economic Goals still OK?

No

Yes

SOME PLANNING STEPS:

1. Establish Goals2. Learn Alternatives3. Discuss With Others4. Draw Farmstead Layout5. Stake The Site6. Drive The Site

WHAT IS A FARMSTEAD PLAN?

Scale Drawing - Plan View

* Topographic Lines*Buildings-

current- future*

Well(s)

* Manure Storage

* Feed Storage

* Drainage Channels* Streams

* Highways* Drives

* Utilities

* Sink Holes/Ledges

* Septic(s)

* etc.

* North Arrow

FARMSTEAD PLAN =

* Equipment Suppliers

* Lender* Contractor

* Utility Companies

* Subsequent Buyer

* Excavator* Regulator

* Partner(s)

COMMUNICATION TOOL

Short Range Plan:Must be Compatible withLong Range Plan

This Month’s Decisions Have an Effect for 20 – 50 Years!

Planning for the Future:

Overvalued facilities mayunnecessarily anchor youat an existing farmstead

Constraints of existing facilities may limit thetechnologies you can useunless you make majorchanges and expense.

Planning for the Future:

PLANNING FACTORS:

1. Adequate Water Supply2. Drainage3. Production Factors4. Climatic Factors5. Off Farm Factors

Ideal Farmstead Location* Center of Land Base

* Top of Hill

* Distant From Streams

* Distant From Neighbors

* Good Source of Groundwater

* Moderate-Heavy Soil Texture

Build on a Knoll NOT in a Hole

Diversions

Diversion

Prevailing Wind Directions for July

% Time Calm

5% Increments

About 18%

Transition Facilities Needs:

1. Animal housing

2. Efficient milking

3. Feed storage/Efficient feeding

4. Manure storage - maybe

EARLY 1970’S

Stall BarnHouse

MachineShed

Drainage

Neighbor

Yard

N

1977

Stall BarnHouse

MachineShed

Drainage

Neighbor

Yard

Stall BarnAddition

N

1980

Stall BarnHouse

MachineShed

Drainage

Neighbor

ManureStorage

Stall BarnAddition

Silos

N

1983

Free Stall Barn

MachineShed

Drainage

Neighbor

ManureStorage

Stall BarnAfter Fire

Silos

N

Looking West about 1985

Freestall Barn

Stall Barn

House

1987

Free Stall Barn

MachineShed

Drainage

NeighborCalfBarn

Stall Barn

N

Home Farm

NeighborNeighbor

1990

N

1991

Free Stall

MachineShed

Drainage

NeighborCalfBarn

Dry & Special Needs

N

NeighborNeighbor

Feed Pad

Parlor

Manure Storage

1991

300 Free Stalls

N

NeighborNeighbor

Bunkers

Parlor

2 Manure Storages

360 Free Stalls

1994 - 1995N

NeighborNeighbor

Bunkers

Parlor

Manure Storages

Milking & Dry & Transitionw Parlor

2000 - 2001

HeifersN

Material Flows

What Has to Flow? Feed Water Animals Manure Milking Center Wastewater Milk Sunshine Precipitation Air Personnel Visitors Service Companies Electricity/Fuel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

40 x 80 Machine Shed

House34 x 110 Stall Barn

Figure A. 50 Cow Farmstead Plan Base Case

Heifers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

HA MP

320 COW FS-3

Heifers & Dry Cows

Calves

Maternity

Horizontal Silos

320 COW FS-4

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

House

320 COW FS-5

Manure Cells

Commodity Shed

Figure B. 1000 Cow Farmstead Plan Phase 5

2

4

1

11

2

2

2

3

3

22

4

4

444

4

4

5

5

5

555

5

5

5Treatment

Treatment

Special Needs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

100 Mature Cows & HeifersN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

Heifers

HouseParlor

Figure C. 100 Cow Farmstead Plan Phase 1

Silo BagPad

Special Needs

Calf HutchPad

1

11

1

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

200 MatureCows & Heifers

Calves

Maternity

Horizontal Silos

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

Heifers

House

Parlor

Manure Cell

Commodity Shed

Figure D. 200 Cow Farmstead Plan

Phase 2

11

2

2

2

2

2

2

Silo Bag Pad 1

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

HA MP

320 COW FS-3Heifers & Dry Cows

Calves

Maternity

Horizontal Silos

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

Treatment

House

Treatment

Manure Cells

Commodity Shed

Figure E. 300 Cow Farmstead Plan

Phase 3

11

12

2

2

22

2

3

3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

HA MP

320 COW FS-3Heifers & Dry Cows

Calves

Maternity

Horizontal Silos

320 COW FS-4

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

House

Treatment

Manure Cells

Commodity Shed

Figure F. 600 Cow Farmstead Plan Phase 4

2

4

1

11

2

2

2

3

3

2

2

4

4

444

4

4

Treatment

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

HA MP

320 COW FS-3

Heifers & Dry Cows

Calves

Maternity

Horizontal Silos

320 COW FS-4

N1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

House

320 COW FS-5

Manure Cells

Commodity Shed

Figure G. 1000 Cow Farmstead Plan Phase 5

2

4

1

11

2

2

2

3

3

2

2

4

4

444

4

4

5

5

5

555

5

5

5Treatment

Treatment

MP

Special Needs

Steps to Avoid Excessive Costs:1. Establish facility needs for

10-20 year horizon

2. Establish facility needs forthe transition phase

3. Evaluate existing structures onthe basis of how they can meettransition and future needs

4. Compare initial and annual costsof remodel vs new construction