A southwestern Ontario construction and design firm specializing in ag buildings has struck a partnership with a major milking equipment supplier to offer a full-service dairy barn package.

Post Farm Structures, based at Alma, Ont., and Dutch dairy equipment and robotics firm Lely on Thursday announced the launch of Integrated Agritect, a partnership offering custom-designed and -equipped barns to the Ontario dairy sector.

"This is a new approach for our industry that increases the value of the purchase for dairy farmers," Post president Herman Post said in the companies' release.

"By considering all the elements of barn design and equipment selection in the early stages of design, we can create a comfortable environment for cattle and an efficient one for farmers."

The Integrated Agritect partners said they plan to provide dairy farmers with a "seamless" process which would include sales, design, construction and "complete herd transition."

"A master plan will guide early decisions that impact how that barn and equipment work in unison -- ultimately creating a space that enhances operations and productivity for years to come," the companies said.

"By integrating the process of purchasing a robotic milking system with the design of its customized space, dairy producers are ensured that the right decisions are made from start to finish," Lely regional sales manager Tony Brazda, based at the company's Canadian head office at Woodstock, Ont., said in the same release.

Post announced on Twitter on Tuesday that it had hired a manager for its Lely dealership operations, and on Wednesday that it had already processed its first order for a Lely milking robot system.

Post and Lely noted that while they will work together on Integrated Agritect, both companies will "continue to work independently and sell their own product offerings."

For family-owned Post, that business also includes structures such as commercial buildings, carriage houses, hangars and garages.

Lely, which bills itself as the "undisputed market leader in the sales and service of automated milking systems," recently launched a promotional campaign marking the installation of its 12,500th Astronaut brand milking robot.

Lely also markets livestock feeding and barn lighting and cleaning systems as well as forage harvesting and commercial turf maintenance equipment.