Andrew Vogels, Scotts Creek
Farm size – 365 hectares, 630 friesian-cross
Dairy shelter constructed in 2018
Shelter size 3,200sqm
The heavy Scotts Creek soils caused problems in wet conditions with pugging and limiting access to paddocks to feed cows.
They needed a facility where they could put cows and know they would be fed and comfortable.
They found the perfect solution in a dairy shelter and built one in 2018 beside their dairy. Since building the shelter Andrew estimates they have saved a third of their feed by feeding cows in the shelter and not having feed trampled into the ground in soggy paddocks.
Andrew lists the main benefits of a dairy shelter as:
1. Feed saving;
2. Cow comfort and health;
3. Increased production; and
4. Reduced stress for farmer and farm staff.
Andrew says “it has just made life so much easier”.