| 81 nzdairy The Dunrobin client is a long-standing customer for whom Baz Janssen Building constructed a dairy shed nearly a decade ago. Russell Fredric A new feed pad built at Dunrobin reflects how Southland dairy farmers are investing in infrastructure to protect pasture and improve feed utilisation. For Winton-based Baz Janssen Building, the project is one of a growing number of feed pads being developed as farmers look for practical ways to manage challenging weather events while maintaining existing farm systems. The Dunrobin client is a long-standing customer for whom Baz Janssen Building constructed a dairy shed nearly a decade ago and has continued to work with on various projects since. Located between Wreys Bush and Mossburn, the farm milks about 650 cows on relatively heavy soils. “It’s just to protect pasture really and utilise that feed better. At this stage they’re not wintering on it or anything like that, but potentially they’ll be able to extend their lactation out with the pad as well.” Measuring about 41 metres wide and 106 metres long, the pad incorporates four feed trough rows, each about 70 metres in length. The feed troughs feature a proprietary prefabricated curved concrete nib-wall profile developed by Baz and his team. Rather than adopting a standard design, Baz Janssen Building customised the feed pad’s trough system to suit the farmer’s requirements. The troughs were set at 1.5 metres wide, allowing a four-wheeler to drive through them for cleaning and maintenance. “They wanted something a bit different. You can buy pre-made [troughs], but they weren’t the size and didn’t work for what he wanted to do. He wanted to be able to drive his four-wheeler through them and push everything out easily.” Construction began in April and involved extensive concrete work, earthworks and coordination between multiple contractors. Additional ramps, lanes and access areas were added during construction. Baz believes feed pads can often be justified more easily than larger housing infrastructure because they allow farmers to maintain their existing system while improving efficiency. “At feed-out in the paddock you never get 100 per cent utilisation. Feeding on a pad gets you very close to that. Then you’ve got less pasture damage and potentially more days in milk. It’s something farmers can generally justify quite easily.” Feed pad design requires careful consideration of drainage and effluent management, but most projects are tailored around existing farm systems and storage capacity, often working alongside specialist consultants to ensure compliance. Twelve months ago, Baz Janssen Building invested in a laser-guided skid steer and grading Investing in infrastructure to protect pasture RURAL SERVICES » Baz Janssen Building Ltd blade system that has significantly improved site preparation efficiency. The technology allows a single operator to complete work that previously required more labour while delivering highly accurate levels and reducing overall build times. While feed pads are becoming more common, Baz says there is still relatively limited Southland experience to draw on. “It’s not really until you build one and then go back and talk to the farmer that you see what’s working and what’s not. We keep tweaking little things along the way and we’re always trying to improve.” Alongside feed pads, Baz Janssen Building is busy with dairy shed upgrades and replacements throughout the region. Winton: 027 481 3070 | Te Anau: 027 490 4788 | Lumsden: 027 481 3070 office@mcgregorconcreteltd.co.nz mcgregorconcreteltd.co.nz READY MIX CONCRETE • GRAVEL • PRE-CAST WINTON HEAD OFFICE Cell: 027 430 1012 Email: admin@mcgregorconcrete.co.nz Free phone 0800 225 850 • Phone plant 03 225 8503 MCGREGORS ReadyMix Concrete &Gravel The company employs 10 staff and could readily take on more work if skilled people were available. “Our biggest challenge is finding good people. We’ve got awesome staff, but finding more like them is really hard.” • Feed Pads - Farm Structures • Wintering Sheds • Dairy Sheds
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