History
Redpath feedpad shelters are now being used nationwide and are managed by farmers to suit their specific requirements. The following are some guidelines on how we see the shelters being utilised and some ideas on how they might be best operated with consideration to superior herd health and improved on farm efficiency.
Basic Outline of these buildings
Redpath feedpad shelters (sometimes called wintering barns, standoffshelters or compostbarns are essentially a tool to be used on the farm for increased productivity and to reduce farm costs overall. The basic use of the clear roofed Redpath shelter is to provide a covered dry and warm area for the cows to stand and be fed off the paddocks. The farmer may wish to keep cows off the grass due to weather conditions, the condition of the pasture, animal health reasons, calving or for calf rearing. A major benefit is the substantial reduction in waste run-off when covering the standoff area as the roof cover virtually eliminates rainfall onto the pad / feed area.
If you have not held stock beneath this type of shelter before – then it would be reasonable to assume that there will be a learning curve on how the shelter will best suit your farm’s needs.
It has been Redpath’s experience that farmers that get used to the shelters benefits – tend to use the shelter for longer periods than initially considered (by up to twice as much)
Note: Some planning is required when taking cows from a grass only diet to a feed and supplement diet. Talk with your dairy consultant to avoid dietary problems and issues that revolve around sudden changes to the cow’s diet.
Seasonal uses for the redpath standoff / feedpad shelters
In winter the cows may be taken off the pasture to save the pasture from pugging or compaction. Substantial savings in time, money / labour can be made by keeping pasture and soil in good condition for the following season. When the weather is wet or cold – then bringing the herd indoors will see benefits in the cow’s ability to convert feed into milk. (Less energy is used up trying to keep warm and walk around grazing / feeding in wet puggy paddocks. If conditions are wet and windy then “wind chill” factor has a very large effect on the cow’s temperature and resistance to illness.
In springtime you will need to allow plenty of space for the milking cows and adjust your feed and watering to suit their needs. Keeping the cows clean will become more important (mastitis) and keeping the floor of the shelter well bedded and dry is also important.
The shelter / barn may well be used for calving and part of the shelter or one span of the shelter may be gated off for this. Farmers report that the large majority of the cows will choose to calve inside the shelter (even when given the option to move outside at their leisure). Ensure to provide plenty of fresh dry bedding!
In summertime heat stress can be avoided by keeping the shelter sidewalls open and “free breathing”. A Redpath roof / ridge ventilation system is the best way to keep the air temperature in the barn cool – however some alternative are to fit either a manually operated or fully automatic shade screen system overhead, or to shade paint the roof of the building.
Autumn will see the shelter flooring being re-stocked & re-freshed – being prepared for the coming winter season. The shelter may be used to protect the herd in seasonal rains / storms.
Stocking rates
Stocking rates will vary and are dependant on a number of factors and each individual farmer’s preferences. Decisions on stocking rates will likely be dictated by the following
- The type of flooring that you use
- The size of the cows that you are running
- The age of the cows that you are running
- Your proposed method of feeding out
- Your proposed method of water supply
- Your proposed method of cleaning the shed floor
- Your proposed method of floor maintenance
- Your proposed effluent control / use preferences
- The amount of protection for the stock needed (site exposure)
Typically a minimum of 4.5sq/m per cow is required, - A DairyNZ report suggests that this may be as great as 6-8sq/m per cow in some circumstances.
Redpath’s experience is that the “more space the better” for both cow comfort, reduced stress and less pressure on the flooring materials (if used)
A lower cow density also allows the floor to dry out quicker & maintain a reasonable exposure to sun & UV, which helps keeps the floor dry and clean.
First use of shelter
Cows will take between a few days and up to one week to become used to the feedpad shelter. They may also need to be trained on your new management techniques (such has standing them off for much longer periods from the paddock than they have previously experienced)
If a compost or deep litter type floor is being provided the cows will tend to lie down and rest more readily compared to a concrete or hard floor surface that has a lot of effluent on its surface.
Provide feed and water to the cows when using the shelters for the first few times.
Feeding out in the feedpad shelter
Feeding the cows can be done various ways either inside or outside the shelter. Our experience has been that the shelters fitted with a side eave-hanger (a small extension that hangs out from the top of the side wall by approximately 1m) acts as an excellent “feedcover” & stops the need for the farmer to enter the building for feeding out. It is important that all cows have an equal opportunity to feed and that the feed is clean and fresh.
The eave-hanger system allows the farmer to quickly and efficiently drop feed via a side chute feed-wagon.
Other methods of feeding include – feeding from a silage stack at the end of the shelter. The cows wander out & feed at their leisure and then return to the shelter / barn. The silage stack can be controlled by a hot wire / electric fence.
Feeding inside the feedpad shelter is also an option, and may be more suitable for small herds (100 or less).
If vehicles are to be driven inside the shelter on a regular basis – it is best to install the Redpath gable end gate system that allows clearance for small to medium sized tractors / vehicles in through the end of the building & below the line of the gable rail or fit a dedicated feed lane.
Monitor the herd regularly when feeding and keep a watchful eye on cows that may be being bullied or not feeding normally.
On occasions some cows will not enjoy the shelter environment in close proximity to other cows (rare – but possible)
Water for the cows should be provided at all times. Troughs should be designed in a way that avoids too much of the water being splashed out and into the shelter area. Wet and damp patches can occur in the shelter if this is allowed to happen and this can promote the incidence of disease SSC etc.
Try to avoid feed getting into the water troughs / water supply
Ideally the shelter floor should be kept as dry as possible – particularly if a compost floor or deep litter system is being used.
Building Maintenance
Redpath use a very heavy duty roofing membrane called “Durashelter” for its agricultural farm buildings range. Durashelter is 25% thicker than standard long life farm building membranes and provides a superior service life and storm resistance.
Usually no wind shelter is required for the standoff / feedpad buildings however on some sites with extreme wind potential – there may be a benefit to the building and the herd to have wind shelter.
The buildings covers are designed to remain in place in wind speeds exceeding 100mph/160kph – however regular exposure to wind speeds above 60mph /120kph (monthly) – will possibly reduce the service life of the roof membrane.
In ideal conditions the Durashelter membrane will last more than 10 years – however in tougher more extreme wind sites then possibly only 5 -7 years can be expected.
Fortunately Durashelter is quite competitively priced and a roof the size of 10m x 50m can be replaced for less than NZ$1500 + gst & labour.
A shelter belt may assist in protecting the building and if required Redpath can supply install this for you.
A three year warranty for the complete structure applies when purchasing a Redpath standoffshelter , whilst a 5 year pro-rata UV warranty applies to the Durashelter covering
Basic observation of any tears or cuts on the roof covering is required as these can be simply repaired with long life adhesive tapes. Monitor the steel framework for any rusting / corrosion and if required contact Redpath for replacement of any parts (not expected within ten years minimum)
Redpath offer a maintenance “check-over” for all buildings nationwide, this may be free of charge if the builder is in your area or there may be a small cost apply.
