Rule 40-2-16-.07. Milking Barn, Stable, or Parlor - Construction

1. (1) Provided. A milking barn, stable, or parlor must be provided on all dairy farms.

2. (2) Gutters, Floors, and Feed Troughs - Characteristics.

   1. (a) Gutters, floors, and feed troughs must be constructed of good quality concrete or equally impervious material.

   2. (b) Floors must be:

      1. 1. Easily cleaned, brushed surfaces permitted;
      2. 2. Graded to drain;
      3. 3. Maintained in good repair; and
      4. 4. Free of excessive breaks or worn areas that may create pools.

3. (3) Walls and Ceilings.

   1. (a) Walls and ceilings must be finished with wood, tile, smooth-surfaced concrete, cement plaster, brick, or other equivalent materials with light colored surfaces.

      1. 1. Walls, partitions, doors, shelves, windows and ceilings must be kept in good repair.
      2. 2. Surfaces must be refinished whenever wear or discoloration is evident.

   2. (b) Whenever feed is stored overhead:

      1. 3. Ceilings must be constructed to prevent the sifting of chaff and dust into the milking barn, stable, or parlor.
      2. 4. If a hay opening is provided from a loft, which is open into the milking portion of the barn, such openings must be provided with a dust-tight door, which must be kept closed during milking operations.
4. (4) Pens and Stalls. Bull pens, maternity stalls, calf stalls, and horse stalls must be partitioned from the milking portion of the barn. Such portions of the barn that are not separated by tight partitions must comply with all the requirements of this Rule.

5. (5) Overcrowding Prohibited. Milking barns, stables, and parlors must not be overcrowded. Overcrowding may be evidenced by:

   1. (a) The presence of calves, lactating animals, or other barnyard animals in walks or feed alleys; or
   2. (b) Inadequate ventilation and excessive odors.

6. (6) Milking Barn, Lighting Intensity. The milking barn:

   1. (a) Must be provided with natural and/or artificial light to ensure that all surfaces and particularly the working areas will be plainly visible.
   2. (b) The equivalent of at least ten (10) foot-candles (110 lux) of light in all working areas must be provided.
7. (7) Air Circulation. Air circulation must be of sufficient measure to minimize odors and to prevent condensation upon walls and ceilings.

8. (8) Milking Area Partitions.

   1. (a) A dust-tight partition, provided with doors that are kept closed, except when in actual use, must separate the milking portion of the barn from any feed room or silo in which feed is ground or mixed, or in which sweet feed is stored.
   2. (b) When conditions warrant, the Department may approve a barn without four walls extending from floor to roof, or a shed-type barn, provided the prohibition of animals and fowl from entering the barn is satisfied.

Authority: O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450, et seq.

History. Original Rule entitled "Milking Barn, Stable, or Parlor - Construction" adopted. F. June 9, 2023; eff. July 1, 2023, as specified by the Agency.