1-2 weeks before start-up

Where possible ensure that all aspects of the new installation are completed prior to introducing the cows into the system. Incomplete buildings, laneways and/or surrounding
infrastructure will make your life more difficult and introduction more stressful for the cows.

Planning related to:	Think about:
Herd:	Think about the likely grazing rotations for start-up week. Consider changing the time of milking routines, to help cows start falling out of their twice-daily milking habits. Where possible allow cows to start moving through the new dairy and maybe access feed in the milking unit. Allow cows to explore and become experienced with one-way gates. Free movement from the paddock to the dairy may also be helpful.
People:	Sort out a work roster but make sure everyone is prepared to help out. Flexibility is critical to cope well with the unforeseen. Ensure all staff are well rested and prepared for the start-up. Thorough start-up planning results in the best chance of a smooth and relatively stress-free commissioning of the new dairy.

Other considerations:

Thorough start-up planning results in the best chance of a smooth and relatively stress-free commissioning of the new dairy.
Be informed, prepare for the worst but expect the best, and ensure that your staff are prepared and guided.
If the new dairy is in a different location to the old dairy then carefully consider which paddocks should be grazed
during the initial stages of the commissioning.

If cows are grazing close to the old dairy then you may find that they stand at a gate trying to head in that direction. Choose paddocks with orientations and locations that minimise the impact of this to assist with the adaptation period.
If you are expecting cows to enter and exit paddocks from gates in locations that they have never used before, don’t be surprised if you find the herd waiting at the old exit gateway even when the feed in the paddock is well and truly depleted!

(From Future Dairy www.futuredairy.com.au - Management guidelines for pasture-based AMS farms, 2010.)