WINTERING BARN OPEN DAY

In 2022, the farm was purchased and the farmer identified the need for a reliable wintering solution due to the region’s high rainfall. Wintering all the cows on pasture was not seen as a viable long-term option, so he considered several alternatives: grazing off-farm, purchasing a runoff block, or constructing a wintering barn.

After running a detailed cost analysis, the wintering barn proved to be the most cost-effective option. It also offered the advantage of keeping the herd on the farm, eliminating travel time and freight costs associated with off-farm grazing.

“I was a little nervous when we first put the cows in as I wasn't sure how they would take it and if living on nothing but grass silage for 1-3 months would suffice, but they were extremely relaxed and even put on quite a bit of condition which I hadn't expected or included in the plan.”  

Collecting calves each day also became much more straightforward with the barn setup, as cows and calves typically stayed close together, reducing the risk of mismatches. He had budgeted for a 20% production increase over three seasons and was pleased to achieve a 10% lift in the first season alone.

Come join us at the Open Day to learn more! Fill in the form below and come with all your questions.