Eight weeks in, and the Creaming It LTD calving and loafing barn is now 90% complete. What started as a bold plan to create a better space for calving and feeding 250 cows is shaping up to be a serious asset for this Masterton farm.
With a 12m loafing area in the middle and feedface down both sides, this barn has been designed as a hybrid between a full-time wintering barn and a stand-off pad. The mono-pitch roof was chosen for its structural simplicity, cost-efficiency, and ease of installation. A smart move compared to more complex options.
Build Stats at a Glance
82.8 metres long
14 metres wide (12m centre with 1m overhangs)
H5 SED timber poles
H3 treated timber rafters
Glulam LVL rafters (NZ-made)
5° roof pitch
Feeding both sides, composting in the middle
Designed for 250 cows
15% more cost effective than comparable options
While it won’t be used year-round, its main job is to reduce pasture damage during bad weather and give the team a better calving setup. For 250 cows, that means less stress and faster checks during those freezing winter mornings.
All up, the barn is tracking 15% more cost effective than other options scoped for the job. A sharp result with a lot of long-term upside.
Progress in Pictures
Here’s a look at how the build is tracking on site:
What’s next?
Concrete’s being poured over the coming weeks for feeding and working areas.
The barn’s being filled with woodchip this week to kick off the composting cycle.
- A weather protection curtain is being installed along the outside to help shield the barn from wind and rain.
Future-proofing starts with design. And because we handle the design and build in-house at Numat Construction, the project stayed on time and on budget.