Norms for Dairy Building Location:
(by DrParvinder Kaur Lubana)
Location of dairy buildings
The points which should be considered before the erection of dairy buildings are as follows:
Topography and Drainage
A dairy building should be at a higher elevation than the surrounding ground to offer a good slope for rainfall and drainage for the wastes of the dairy to avoid stagnation within.
A leveled area requires less site preparation and thus lesser cost of building.
Low lands and depressions and proximity to places of bad odor should be avoided.
Soil Type:
Fertile soil should be spared for cultivation.
Foundation soils as far as possible should not be too dehydrated or desiccated.
Such a soil is susceptible to considerable swelling during rainy season and exhibit numerous cracks and fissures.
Exposure to the sun and protection from wind:
A dairy building should be located to a maximum exposure to the sun in the north and minimum exposure to the sun in the south and protection from prevailing strong wind currents whether hot or cold.
Buildings should be placed so that direct sunlight can reach the platforms, gutters and mangers in the cattle shed.
As far as possible, the long axis of the dairy barns should be set in the north-south direction to have the maximum benefit of the sun.
Accessibility:
Easy accessibility to the buildings is always desirable.
Situation of a cattle shed by the side of the main road preferably at a distance of about 100 meters should be aimed at.
Durability and attractiveness:
It is always attractive when the buildings open up to a scenic view and add to the grandeur of the scenery.
Along with this, durability of the structure is obviously an important criterion in building dairy
Water supply:
Abundant supply of fresh, clean and soft water should .be available at a cheap rate.
Surroundings:
Areas infested with wild animals and dacoits should be avoided.
Narrow gates, high manger curbs, loose hinges, protruding nails, smooth finished floor in the areas where the cows move and other such hazards should be eliminated.
