Having a clear-roofed barn as an “on farm facility” for short and long term housing of dairy-cows in New Zealand is becoming increasingly popular. The justification for installing a shelter like a Redpath design will vary from farm-to-farm and is often for regionally specific or farm specific needs.
For instance in the areas of Southland and Taranaki, the main driving force behind farmers considering a clear-roofed shelter system is so that they can protect pasture from pugging/compaction damage and stock from the extremes of the local weather. On some farms the shelters may be used for several weeks at a time and these Redpath “Winteringbarn” style shelters will feature a higher level of weather protection systems designed into them. The more intensive use of a Redpath Winteringbarn will require the farmer to be pro-active about their soft floor litter management and install superior drainage systems.
In other regions such as the Northland, Waikato and Lower North Island, there are often environmental benefits to farms that have covered a standoff or feedpad areas. A Redpath clear-roofed cover can vastly reduce the effects of uncontrolled run-off caused by rainfall and will also aid speedy drying of the pad.
There are also benefits of shelter during summer months when dry or drought conditions may appear. The shelters may then be used by farmers to more accurately control water, mineral and feed uptake.
There are substantial and on-going savings to be made on farm feed and supplement costs by being able to feed in a controlled and sheltered environment, with the warmth of a clear-roofed shelter allowing cows to maximise their conversion of feed into production by their reduced weather induced stress levels.
Another on-going benefit too many farms is the potential savings in reducing or eliminating the need for off farm wintering of the cows.
Redpath shelter may be typically broken down into three main on-farm uses:
(1) FEEDPAD SHELTER |
(2) STANDOFFSHELTER |
(3) WINTERINGBARN |
Temporary housing – Hours |
Short/Med term housing -day(s) |
Longer term housing - (weeks) |
Floor: Often constructed over an existing or new concrete, hard pan, or litter base. |
Floor: Typically a soft litter/woodchip, for comfort when housing for multiple days |
Floor: Typically larger woodchip for comfort & drainage when housing for long periods. |
| 1) |
Used for temporary protection whilst feeding out. |
| 2) |
Provides basic shelter and warmth for drying the floor |
| 3) |
Eliminate rainfall induced run- off from pad of effluent |
| 4) |
Cow intensity 4 - 5sq/m per cow. |
|
| 1) |
Used for 1-2 day housing |
| 2) |
Basic shelter + wind protection. The sides of the shelter may benefit from weather/wind screens |
| 3) |
Allows all basic benefits of Feedpad shelter |
| 4) |
Increased drainage requirements beneath litter compared to a feedpad shelter |
| 5) |
Medium level of litter management & maintenance |
| 6) |
Cow intensity 5.5 - 6sq/m per cow |
|
| 1) |
Used for multiple weeks of housing |
| 2) |
Superior drainage system needed |
| 3) |
Larger sized wood chip or similar free-draining material used for floor litter to speed drainage. |
| 4) |
Higher level of litter management / maintenance, often on a daily basis. I.E stirring, aerating, cleaning |
| 5) |
Additional weather protection systems / options should be considered for the building (I:E side eaves, reduced post height netting sides/ends, roll-up blinds etc) |
| 6) |
Building sits on raised pad, with perimeter drain system |
| 7) |
Cow intensity 7 – 8 sq/m per cow |
|
