“One problem cow costs as much time as 40 healthy ones, so a good businessman invests heavily in cow health and welfare.”

A good barn is 100% geared to the needs of the cow, to keep the animals healthy and productive. In addition, the design of the barn ensures that the work can be done with maximum efficiency and that the working conditions are pleasant, so you enjoy working there.

Too often when designing a barn, people forget to take account of the next stage in the farm’s development. Virtually every farm wants to extend the barn again 5 years down the line.

The four cornerstones on which we base and assess a barn design are:

1.       cow comfort

2.       labour saving

3.       cost reduction

4.       extendability

Our aim is to combine movements of cows, manure and people as efficiently as possible.

(Concept developed by Jack Rodenburg, OMAFRA, Canada.)
 
In the end, the barn must produce a return. So we keep construction costs low, but we don’t forget that construction is an investment. Investing sensibly in cow comfort, cow traffic and less work pays dividends every day.

“10 minutes gained per day adds up to more than an hour every week.”

The four cornerstones of barn design:

ü       Cow comfort means guaranteeing all aspects of the cow signals diamond. A barn with comfortable cubicles and plenty of air
       and space.

ü       Labour saving means extensive mechanisation and minimising and centralising work.

ü       Cost reduction

       Simplicity often maken for an excellent barn. Some farms don’t need a self-locking feed barrier while, for others, it’s a good investment.

ü       Extendabil ity

   A manure outlet in the middle of the barn. Ensures sure the manure shute can be extended, and hence the barn as well.