Feedpad Covers: Higher Feed Utilisation, Healthier Stock

Trusted By NZ Dairy Farmers For 25+ Years

Aztech feedpad covers keep feed dry, cut effluent volume and protect cows from mud, rain and heat. Under cover, farmers typically see feed utilisation lift from 60–70% to 90–100%, with milk solids gains of 20–30% from more consistent intake.

Our Futura Box-Beam clearspan design keeps the ridge-line free of bird perches for better hygiene and biosecurity, while wide, open bays keep key access points clear for machinery.

✔ Lifts feed utilisation to 90–100%, cutting wastage from wind, rain and mud
✔ Reduces effluent pond pressure by keeping clean roof water separate
✔ Gives you a controlled space to hold cows off pasture during wet or high-risk periods

Flexible Options
to Suit your Farm

Whether you're covering an existing feedpad or planning a new build, our NZ team supports you from design through to construction.

Can You Cover an Existing Feedpad?

Many Aztech feedpad roofs are retrofits, built around your current concrete, layout and infrastructure without a full rebuild.

• Clear-span design keeps key access points open for machinery
• Fast retrofit builds mean less disruption to daily feeding and milking
• Clean roof water is separated from your effluent system, easing pressure on ponds and storage

What's Involved in Building a New Feedpad?

Starting fresh gives you the most flexibility — we design the full system around cow flow, feed delivery and future growth.

• Kitset or full-construction options matched to your herd size and budget
• Feed lane or bin placement, machinery access and effluent separation planned in from day one
• Future-proofed layouts with room to extend as your herd grows

Why Choose an
Aztech Feedpad Cover

Cow comfort drives production. Heat stress and wet conditions cut feed intake before it ever shows up as a drop in milk. Every Aztech feedpad cover is engineered around the five conditions that keep cows eating, resting and performing: space, air, rest, light and access to feed.

How We Support Cow Health and Performance

Space
Clear-span design keeps the shed free of internal columns, giving cows room to move, feed and interact without congestion at the feed face.

Air
Open-sided layouts and passive ventilation deliver 2.5–5 cubic metres of airflow per second. According to dairy consultant Dr Sue Macky, reducing a cow's body temperature by just 1 degree on a hot day can result in approximately 1 litre of additional milk per hour. Airflow is what makes that possible.

Rest
Dry, comfortable resting areas let cows lie down for up to 13 hours a day, a key driver of rumination, recovery and milk yield.

Light & Shade
Permanent roofing protects cows from sun and rain while keeping natural light in, striking a better balance than temporary covers. Add ClearLite panels to fine-tune shade levels for your herd.

Food & Water
Troughs are positioned at the correct height and spacing to reduce competition at the feed face, supporting more consistent intake across the herd.

Case Study
Kybush Farms
Opotiki, Bay of Plenty

Built with durable timber poles and a Futura Box-Beam steel roof structure, this shed was designed to manage effluent run-off effectively while creating a comfortable, sheltered feeding area for cows.

The result? Reduced feed wastage and a facility that truly works for both animals and farmers.

Learn more about how Kybush Farms cut feed wastage and improved effluent control

Case Study
Simpson Farms
Rangiriri West, Waikato

Simpson Farms used to run two 44-aside herringbone sheds with half their herd milked in each.

However, in 2018 Mike and Trevor Simpson decided it was time to make a change. They were driven by a desire to improve animal welfare, increase production levels, protect pasture and reduce the environmental impacts of the farm.

Read how Simpson Farms improved animal welfare and production with a covered feedpad

Frequently Asked Questions

What production gains can I expect from a feedpad cover?

Most farmers see 20–30% increases in milk solids, driven by more consistent feed intake, reduced heat stress and better overall cow comfort.

Does a feedpad cover really reduce feed wastage?

Yes. Uncovered feeding can result in 20–30% feed wastage, while covered systems often lift utilisation to 90–100% by keeping feed dry and protected.

How does a feedpad cover change my effluent system?

By separating rainwater from effluent, total volumes are reduced. This can significantly ease pressure on storage systems and improve compliance confidence.

What's the typical return on investment for a feedpad cover?

Returns vary, but most farmers see payback within 3–5 years through a combination of increased production, reduced feed costs and improved system efficiency.