Dairy farmers need to think “outside the square”
when it comes to considering a Redpath stand off shelter
concept says Colin Bell of Redpath Pacific Ltd.
Understanding how the shelter design and cladding impacts
on a number of processes that go on inside and around
the shelter is the key to realising the real benefits
of a Redpath stand off shelter when compared to “a
hard tin shed style design over a basic concrete pad”.
Considerations for pasture and soil protection + animal
health and general welfare, also feed efficiency and
year round practicality advantages are offered by Redpath
stand off shelters.
“The
first step” of course is to simply cover a feedpad
/ standoff pad with a suitable shelter design that will
incorporate appropriate ventilation control for temperature
and humidity, light control and sidewall systems.
Traditional stand off sheds and sheds on the farm that
may have been converted to a standoff sheds are often
dark, damp and have poor ventilation – all of
these substantially affect animal health & well
being.
A
Redpath stand off shelter may be fitted over existing
feedpads of course with ease the company says, but then
the farmer should also consider the benefits of installing
a modern effluent control system on top of this overhead
specialist structure.
Farmers
should study the on-going costs, & the environmental
issues of effluent disposal and animal husbandry when
choosing a stand off pad basic or more integrated systems.
Redpath
stand off shelters can be used as a feeding facility
or for full-time wintering facilities in cooler climates.
In warmer areas they may be used for standing off, summer
shade of feed facilities.
A
Redpath stand off shelter / shed is often a relatively
simple open-sided, clear-roofed structure, with non
web truss system to dissuade bird roosting and cleanliness
from spread of disease. The clear span truss design
also allows far superior access for large vehicles within
the structure Redpath say. The building is often fitted
with side eve extensions for feed cover covering and
will very often have a concrete floor with a drainage
system fitted or an underfloor pit system for the collection
of effluent/ manure which has been popular overseas
for many years as the preferred manure handling system.
The manure collects and dehydrates in these systems
as part of the stand off shelters ventilation and light
transmitting design. Redpath offer a variety of flooring
systems based on the proven overseas designs or alternatively
the farmer can work with their local Ag consultant and
install the system that best meets their needs and the
local council requirements.
Along
each sidewall but sometimes along only one sidewall
of the Redpath stand off shelter are the feeding lines
these can be maintained by the farmer from the outside
and by the animals from inside the shelter.
