Composting Barns
A composting barn is an off-paddock housing solution where cows rest on a composting bed under a covered roof. The barn’s design promotes cow comfort and health by providing a warm, dry, and well-ventilated environment. Composting barns are increasingly popular for their environmental benefits and cow welfare considerations.
Pros and Cons of Building a Composting Barn
Pros:
Composting barns have been proven to be one of the most comfortable surfaces for cows, with many studies showing lying times of between 10-12 hours per day, which when compared against other alternatives is significantly higher. This directly impacts milk production per cow, because blood flow to the udder increases 30-40% when lying down.
The simplicity of a composting barn, allows all manure created in the barn to be captured and stored without the need for effluent holding facilities like sumps, weeping walls etc. This in turn means money is saved and the farmer does not have to invest in larger effluent ponds, like they would with other systems.
When managed correctly, cows in composting barns are generally cleaner and have less chance of going lame because of how soft the surface is when compared to other systems. This however is dependent on the walking distance and track materials cows are exposed to.
Cons:
Due to the larger roof space needed with composting barns as opposed to other systems, it requires a higher initial investment per cow than something like an open feed pad, and the initial purchase of bedding material can also be costly (typically between $35-45 per cubic meter depending on region and season)
To ensure the composting process is not affected, tilling (or ripping) of the bedding pack is required 1-2 times daily. The frequency of the tilling is dependent on the number of cows per barn, temperature of the bedding pack, moisture content and the usage of the barn. Typically, composting barns require topping up of the bedding pack annually and complete replacement of the bedding every 3-5 years.
Composting barns require a much larger footprint than other systems because manure is contained and stored. There are varying factors that contribute to the space needed, however a rule of thumb is 8-12m2 per cow.
Without proper airflow through a composting barn, cow health can be impacted in different ways. The first being the build-up of ammonia gases in the barn, which aside from being bad for overall cow health, is also an appetite suppressant. With this comes a decline in milk production as cows don’t have enough energy to produce more milk.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Composting Barn?
The cost of constructing a composting barn can vary widely based on size, materials, and specific farm requirements. Typically, expenses range from $3,000 to $4,500 per cow. Key factors influencing cost include:
- Size of the Barn: Larger barns for more cows require more materials and labor.
- Type of Bedding Material: Costs differ for straw and wood chips.
- Additional Features: Installation of ventilation systems, lighting, and other amenities.
Design Considerations
When planning a composting barn, several key factors should be considered:
Research into the local availability and cost of woodchip or similar is a crucial part of planning for a composting barn. The quality of the material and cost can vary significantly depending upon region.
One of the most overlooked aspects of composting barn projects is the importance of choosing a site that compliments the current farming operation and any future developments (calf sheds, access to feed bunkers etc.)
The proposed site should be checked for nearness to property boundaries, housing, and waterways. The gradient of the site is important as the cost of leveling the site can either make or break a project.
Thought should be given to the required daily management of the barn and equipment needed for this. In most cases an additional tractor, ripper attachment, and labour are required to allow for efficient and effective management. Regular monitoring of the bedding pack is crucial to ensure the temperature doesn’t drop below 50 degrees and the moisture content doesn’t exceed 70%. Staff should be trained to monitor the compost pack.
Ridgeback™ Shelters
20% Higher Air Exchanges Per Hour Compared to Traditional Barns
Entegra’s Ridgeback™ Dairy Sheds, exclusively supplied by NumatAGRI in New Zealand, showcase a patented climate-controlled design that ensures 20% higher air exchanges per hour compared to traditional dairy sheds. Leveraging over 37 years of industry experience, these sheds optimize milk production and ROI.
What Makes Ridgeback™ Shelters Different?
Curved roof to maximise natural ventilation, thereby minimising the chance of heat stress and the growth of bad bacteria.
Flexibility in the layout of the shelter to maximise efficiency in feed and water delivery.
Hot-dipped galvanised trusses come as a standard option for durability and the ultimate steel finish.
Curved roof of the Ridgeback™ provides great aesthetics and gives a unique looking and state-of-the art barn.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Ridgeback™ Shelter?
The cost of constructing a Ridgeback™ Shelter varies based on several factors, including size, flooring choices, and additional features. Typically, the cost ranges from $3,000 to $3,500 per cow. Factors influencing the cost include:
- Quality of Material: The overall spec of the composting barn will affect the price. Items such as CHS columns, feed face type (concrete or wooden), ridge caps, closed or open ends will alter the price.
- Size and Capacity: The span and length of the composting barn changes the price. Contact our team to find out more about this variable as different spans come at different price points.
- Environmental: Variables such as wind and snow loadings, water table, soil type, and prevailing wind direction will change the requirements of the build.
The Roof That Delivers 20% Better Air Flow
Here's what you get when you choose a Ridgeback™ roof:
Exclusive access to patented designs for self ventilating roof structures
Exclusive access to a patented tapered gutter system
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NumatAGRI: Tailored Systems for Your Farm
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