Redpath Stand-Off animal shelters
Story Vivienne Haldane, printed in Farm Trader magazine 2009
In a farm paddock sits what looks like a huge tunnel house and inside a herd of cows are chewing happily on their cud and making contented mooing sounds. Hang on a minute mate! Is this the face of farming as we know it?
Redpath are a New Zealand company who manufacture large open sided barns and sheds for the agriculture and horticultural industry. The buildings, constructed from steel with specialized Durashelter cladding provide well- lit and ventilated environments for animals to feed and shelter in. They are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with the dairy industry, for a variety of reasons. Redpath company manager Glen Williams of Palmerston North says, “There’s been a drive on the past few years to clean up aspects of the dairy industry’s operation; mainly the amount of effluent that goes into the waterways. Under our system, animals are not only kept warm and dry but damage to the environment is minimised, as is the run-off of waste into streams and rivers.
Glen explains, “The Stand-off shelters or Compostbarns constitute about 80% of our business and we have been manufacturing these types of buildings for more than 30 years” The bulk of farmers use them for dairy but also sheep (particularly fine merino), goats, pigs and poultry farmers use them too.
In the United Kingdom and Canada shelters like these are very popular especially for the colder months. In New Zealand farmers have traditionally been more resistant to this idea and dislike the intensive indoor farming aspect of it. However some are considering it a worth-while investment and speak highly of the Redpath Stand-off shelters.
Peter Steeghs runs a 335 hectare dairy farm near Gore. He says, “We use a Stand-off shelter with a bark chip floor and it keeps the cows warm between the cold months of June and August. It’s worked really well; the cows self feed and tend to eat less because they’re warmer. I’ve noticed the herd are in better condition and at the start of the season they are reaching a higher milk production faster, compared to when they came off a winter crop.”
When the bark chip floor becomes compacted, the top 20-30% gets scraped off and replaced, usually once a year. Peter says, “There’s a drainage system underneath the shed but in addition to this we keep the bark aerated. A small digger with a bucket attachment scratches and loosens the top layer. Once it’s dried off, a slurry truck puts the friable compost on the paddocks where it’s needed. Last year the Gore District Council even wanted some for their gardens!”
Peter also finds his shelter has stood up to the southerly blasts that frequently blow through this area and is happy to report there’s been no damage so far.
Glen says, “This is one of the biggest concerns farmers have, looking at the roof which is a plastic membrane, and whether it will withstand their own, often harsh, environment. The combination of aluminium fasteners and a strapping system tethers this to the steel frame for secure support.” We also use a roofing membrane that is 30% thicker than many in the industry.
He adds, “The buildings are an effective tool for farmers to help them increase their production – the more they produce the more successful they’ll be. Feedback reveals that farmers who’ve bought these shelters find they are using them for more days a year than they imagined they would.”
Flooring systems vary depending on usage and the quality of the ground they’re on. Barns with deep litter floorings (bark mixes, straw, sand, pumice) are known as compost barns and are becoming more popular, partly because of increased dairy cow comfort and also because of improved effluent control.
Has the economic slump impacted on their business? Glen says, “Things were great until last year but we’ve noticed customers are being more careful when it comes to big investments. However, there’s been an increase in buying compost barns as farmers can see a more viable return for their dollar with these. They also like the fact that they can control the run-off and with the current resource control issues for effluent control this are a plus.”
Rob Worsnop has a 127 hectare dairy farm near Cambridge and has a 27x60metre Stand-off shelter on a concrete pad littered with straw. He says “It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer, the feed stays dry, the cows really like it and there’s no effluent run-off. We have feeding facilities for 340 cows in our shelter - it’s easy to feed out, keeps the animals out of the muck in winter and benefits their health generally.”
Rob finds similarly to Peter that the sheds are easy to keep clean, they dry off quickly and when there’s a build up of muck on the floor it can be pushed off and dispersed onto the paddocks.
Rob adds, “I think these will become more popular as the industry pushes for tightening controls over effluent disposal.”
Redpath Standoff shelters - facts and features:
- Redpath is a long standing New Zealand based company that has specialised in the manufacture and installation of steel frame building with flexible cladding for over 30 years.
- Based on marquee technology standoff shelters are steel framed with Durashelter duratough cladding made in Belgium (extruded polythene which is tough and flexible).
- The cladding, made by specialist technology for animal welfare is a key part to the success of this system: the clear roof creates energy and a solar trap that dries out any moisture inside + keeps microbiological organisms alive & working to break down effluent.
- The cladding has an average 10 year life span and its replacement cost works out at 10% of the buildings cost - (usually around $6,000 for materials and labour) “This translates to about $3 per cow per year,” says Glen.
- Standoff shelters are easy to locate on site and can be built in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on your needs. This includes your preferred method of feeding (indoor or outdoor), water supply, flooring and ventilation.
- Having a standoff shelter for animals enables farmers to control pasture recovery and thus speed it up.
- Pugging and compaction of soil is minimised through use of a Stand-off shelter.
- Readily available feed means animals don’t lose energy looking for food outdoors. This benefits their health and general well being.
- Feeding cows dry feed reduces the wetness of their waste output and this assists in maintaining drier floor conditions and extending the litter’s service life.
- A cost effective way of providing flooring for a compost barn is to woodchip existing shelter trees from the farm. Sawdust can be added as well.
