250-Cow Timber Composting Barn Underway in Southland

A new 24m x 94m composting barn in Southland is taking shape for Glenfruin Farm, built to winter 250 cows and keep them off the wet paddocks.

The job: winter 250 cows on farm, protect pasture through the wet, and calve down dry.

Centre pole composting barn. NuSpan timber roof up. New effluent pond in. Red colour steel, drainage in. Concrete and fit-out still to come.

Build Stats at a Glance

  • Composting barn, centre pole design
  • 24m long x 94m wide, 1m overhang
  • 2,256 m²
  • Winter capacity 250 cows
  • Red colour steel
  • NuSpan timber roof
  • Includes barn liner
  • Full drainage and stormwater
  • Feed face retaining walls
  • Built for Glenfruin Farm, Southland
  • Circa $2,500 per cow + earthworks
250-Cow Timber Composting Barn Underway in Southland - Glenfruin Farm

Why they’re building it

  • Winter cows on farm and keep them off the wet paddocks
  • Protect the pasture through the wettest months
  • Cut the off-farm wintering bill
  • Ability to calve down in one dry place where staff can easily check calving cows and collect calves
  • Better compliance, sorted properly the first time

Where the project is at right now

  • Holes augered, poles in and footings set
  • Feed face retaining walls complete
  • Rafters and purlins up
  • NuSpan timber roof up
  • Drainage in

Next stage: concrete driving lanes, floor liner in then then final fit-out with ridge cap.

Timber Composting Barn Construction Pictures

Here’s a look at the build progress:

Where to from here

When this barn is finished, Glenfruin Farm will winter 250 cows under one roof, off the paddocks and out of the wet, with the pasture protected through the worst of the season.

No more off-farm wintering costs, better compliance, and calving efficiency. From first chat to holes in the ground it has been straight-up practical. Exactly how we do it for Kiwi farmers who want it done right.

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