Designing and building low-cost, efficient milking parlors for dairy herds is the focus of a free workshop set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Kennebec Valley Community College Alfond Campus, Recreation Center, U.S. Route 201, Hinckley.

Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Cooperative Extension, will discuss TRANS-Iowa parlors, designed to be more ergonomically friendly, and improve milking speed and cow movement.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Milk Producers and Coastal Enterprises Inc. are sponsoring the workshop.

The cost of milking cows in Maine is higher than many areas of the nation, according to UMaine Extension professor Rick Kersbergen. The cost translates to lower profit margins and productivity. One reason for the high cost is the amount of time associated with milking in inefficient facilities. Additionally, many Maine farmers suffer debilitating physical ailments due to poorly designed systems and barns.

The workshop, which will be held in conjunction with MOMP’s annual meeting, is free to all Maine dairy farmers and includes lunch. Pre-registration is requested and available online at extension.umaine.edu/register.

For more information or to request a disability accommodation, contact Kersbergen at 342-5971 or richard.kersbergen@maine.edu.


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