46 | nzdairy Expanding business Kelly Deeks John and Debbie opted for a substantial 80-bail cowshed, with a 1024sqm footprint. The new system also includes a concrete feed pad and weeping wall system. DAIRY PEOPLE » John and Debbie Moorby: Gibson Construction before filtering into a lined pond 50mx60m and 4.5m deep. The new shed also includes a carpeted staff room with kitchen table and chairs, which opens to a viewing platform where visitors can watch cows being milked. “This is a state-of-the-art shed and no expense has been spared,” Blair says. “The shed is equipped with the ECR Plus system, a cup remover which also collects milking data from other equipment installed on the platform, and a BailGate control system which helps to manage cows on the platform with straps lowered or raised automatically when the cup removers are activated.” Given the sheer size of the building, which makes it a rather large focal point of the farm, it was important for Gibson Construction to fit it nicely within its existing landscape. Therefore the peak of its roof is nestled nicely between the two mountains behind. The colour of the roof and cladding is ironsand, and the joinery is sandstone grey, and these tones are in keeping with the surrounding landscape. As a leader and innovator in rural building solutions throughout New Zealand, Gibson Construction is well-known as ‘the builders for farmers. With specialist skill sets, farming knowledge, and extensive industry experience combined, Gibson Construction delivers superior buildings constructed to meet the high production demands of modern farming. Its solutions are designed for optimum performance and they take into consideration individual farming practices and the needs of the animals, be they cows, sheep, goats, chickens, or horses. “All animals behave differently, they need to be handled differently, and Gibson Construction has the experience to accommodate all of them.” Proud to support John and Debbie Moorby www.ganeplumbing.co.nz RURAL, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDERS Ph: 07 871 4986 E: info@gibsonconstruction.co.nz www.gibsonconstruction.co.nz WHERE QUALITY IS NEVER COMPROMISED Proud to be the chosen builders for John and Debbie Moorby. Scott Schuurman Director / Operations Manager 021 429 858 scott@swsiteworks.co.nz 912A Ngahape Rd RD 3, Te Awamutu PO Box 3873 Te Awamutu building firm Gibson Construction continues to strengthen its position as a dominant player in the construction market as it completes large-scale, comprehensive infrastructure projects across all types of rural construction including dairy, sheep, goat, and chickens, and now receiving enquiry from the equine industry as well. In 2021, Gibson Construction built the Waikato’s largest dairy shed at that time for John and Debbie Moorby’s 350ha, 1150 cow farm near Te Awamutu. Gibson Construction director Blair Atkinson says John had been ruminating on his need for a new shed for about 10 years, and as often happens with dairy farmer clients, one day it was finally time to get started. “We had done lots of other projects for John and Debbie over the years, but we’d never built them a shed,” he says. “They had purchased the neighbouring farm in 2018 and were milking through a 44 a side herringbone on the home farm as well as the 24 a side herringbone on the new farm.” The huge growth to their business meant a new rotary was required to increase throughput and decrease time spent in the shed. John and Debbie opted for a substantial 80 bail cowshed, 32mx32m with a 1024sqm footprint, and underpass for access from the neighbouring farm, 18m radius yard of 1000sqm to accommodate about 600 cows at a time, and a custom exit race of more than 500sqm. The new system also includes a concrete feed pad where maize silage is fed seven months of the year, and a greenwash system which goes through a Gibson Construction 2014 Ltd weeping wall system, comprising of two 70m x 6m bunkers
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