Like most things, a loafing barn performs best when it is well-planned.
Action building consultant Jason Stone says good planning helps avoid operational bottlenecks, reduce compliance risk, and prevents unnecessary costs.
“It sets your barn up to deliver better cow comfort and performance, and simpler day-to-day management.”
The team at Action have a planning checklist to set your project up for success, covering details from airflow to weather protection.
Effective airflow is essential for both cow comfort and bedding management. It helps keep cows cool, reduces moisture and ammonia build-up, and extends bedding life.
Action loafing barn designs are based on over twenty years of research including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies on optimal roof ventilation.
These designs use a steep roof pitch and ridge ventilation to manipulate airflow, and consider height, orientation, local climate and features such as gable infills.
Markus Lang of Lang Dairies is proving the value of this design approach.
“You instantly feel cooler being in the shed. You feel airflow the minute you walk in,” Markus said.
Effluent management also needs to be addressed early in the planning process – it isn’t simply a compliance requirement; it can also deliver cost savings and operational benefits.
A 2 per cent site slope is considered best practice for floodwashing and using a site with natural fall (where practical) can help reduce earthwork costs.
You will also need to consider whether new tanks and catchment ponds are required, or if you can use existing infrastructure.
The Action team can work with you and your dairy consultant to ensure the barn design integrates with your effluent management plan.
This worked well for Michael Armstrong of Kallista Holdings.
“We can catch all the nutrient.
“It’s got a 600mm compost bed inside, so we’re holding that nutrient in the bedding, which is helping the compost process and any effluent that lands in the feed alley, ends up in the effluent pond so we contain that as well,” Michael says.
These considerations – along with details like bunk space, stocking density and site location – will shape the final size and design of your loafing barn.
Engage the team at Action and work through the detail early to set your project up for success.
Call 1800 687 888 or visit www.actionsteel.com.au to book a consultation.
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