Investment costs for larger dairy barns in Switzerland

The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the investments for larger dairy barns in Switzerland based on realized objects. The investments were analyzed on 22 objects built between 1998 and 2001 with an average capacity of 84 animal units (AU) (52 – 190 AU). The capital cost was evaluated based on the construction bills. The own labor of the farmers was estimated. The capitals were between Fr. 7600.- and Fr. 17’300.- per AU and were significantly affected by the type of roughage storage. The average capital for farms with silage was Fr. 10´700.- (Fr. 7’600 – 15’600) per AU. The average capital for objects with hay was Fr. 14’900.- (Fr. 11’700 – 17’300) per AU. In addition, the farmers invested an average of 2700 h of own labor in their projects.