Lypsytilat

Lypsytilat are facilities on dairy farms designed for the extraction of milk from dairy cows and other ruminants. The typical lypsytila includes a milking parlour or milking system, milking clusters, a milk collection and transfer system, a bulk milk tank for cooling, a cleaning and sanitizing system, a waste management area, and sometimes an on-site water and power supply.

There are several system types: traditional labour-intensive milking parlours (herringbone, tandem) and rotary parlours, as well as modern automatic milking systems (robotic milking units) that milk cows without human intervention. The choice depends on herd size, labor availability, and farm management goals.

Key design considerations include cow comfort, traffic flow to minimize stress and slipping, hoof health, ventilation, and lighting. Hygiene is essential; surfaces are designed for cleaning, and cleaning-in-place (CIP) and sanitizing protocols reduce contamination. Milk is cooled immediately after milking and stored in sanitary tanks before transport. Compliance involves adherence to national and EU hygiene standards for milk production, along with record-keeping for milk yield, mastitis tests, and cleaning logs.

Economic and environmental aspects cover capital and operating costs, energy and water use, manure management, and potential improvements in milk quality and yield. The development of lypsytilat reflects broader trends in dairy farming, including mechanization, automation, and emphasis on animal welfare and food safety.

History notes that milking facilities evolved from hand milking to mechanized parlours in the early 20th century, with automation increasing since the 1980s.