World's Largest Parlor in Colorado

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cololargestparlorJohn Johnson of Colorado will soon be able to boast the largest dairy parlor in the world. What number does he have to hit to get the record? Not a double 75 or even 77. Nope, Johnson is building a double 80 parlor, which he predicts will output 800 cows per hour.

Combined with the parlor he’s operated for the past three years, which will be connected to the new barn, the dairy will milk about 9,000 cows three times a day, moving between 13 and 14 semi trailer loads of milk per day, or about 675,000 pounds of milk daily once it’s at full operation. That’s more than 72,600 gallons of milk a day.

About 50 percent of the milk produced in the state is marketed as fluid product with the other 50 percent going for powdered milk or cheese production. The state has moved up about four spots in the past few years to the 16th largest dairy state in the nation. But what is driving the growth of the industry is the fact that Colorado is now the top state in the nation in terms of milk production per cow. That’s due to the state’s year-round climate.

However, Johnson, 47, said today’s dairy industry is not about a local or national market, but more of a world market. To compete in that market, Johnson said he wants to be involved in every aspect of his dairy, “from the time a calf is born to where the milk is going out the door.”

12 Comments on “World's Largest Parlor in Colorado”

  1. 9,000 cows for one dairy opertionis is far to large. As an Old DHIA Milk Tester and a dairyman myself I know the many problems associated with owning and managing a dairy. Each cow has 4 teats and 4 legs, thus 8 potential problems with each cow. 8 X 9,000 cows = about 72,000 potential problems. My prediction is that it won’t work. I like dairy cattle and the folks who are willing to work with them, but let’s keep the size to a managable unit.

  2. 9,000 cows for one dairy opertionis is far to large. As an Old DHIA Milk Tester and a dairyman myself I know the many problems associated with owning and managing a dairy. Each cow has 4 teats and 4 legs, thus 8 potential problems with each cow. 8 X 9,000 cows = about 72,000 potential problems. My prediction is that it won’t work. I like dairy cattle and the folks who are willing to work with them, but let’s keep the size to a managable unit.

  3. 9,000 cows for one dairy opertionis is far to large. As an Old DHIA Milk Tester and a dairyman myself I know the many problems associated with owning and managing a dairy. Each cow has 4 teats and 4 legs, thus 8 potential problems with each cow. 8 X 9,000 cows = about 72,000 potential problems. My prediction is that it won’t work. I like dairy cattle and the folks who are willing to work with them, but let’s keep the size to a managable unit.

  4. As Al Renzelman said its our experience that too big things are unmanageable but if one is confident of doing it i dont think is immpossible. I am a veterinarian and quite sure that handling big nos is a challenge but utimatley one can make it happen with his hard work & strong inner strength. I hopeful of venture being successful & lead example to the world. All the best to Jhonson & team

  5. As Al Renzelman said its our experience that too big things are unmanageable but if one is confident of doing it i dont think is immpossible. I am a veterinarian and quite sure that handling big nos is a challenge but utimatley one can make it happen with his hard work & strong inner strength. I hopeful of venture being successful & lead example to the world. All the best to Jhonson & team

  6. As Al Renzelman said its our experience that too big things are unmanageable but if one is confident of doing it i dont think is immpossible. I am a veterinarian and quite sure that handling big nos is a challenge but utimatley one can make it happen with his hard work & strong inner strength. I hopeful of venture being successful & lead example to the world. All the best to Jhonson & team

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