Vos Farms Composting Barn, Huntly 

Location: Huntly Waikato

BUILDING DETAILS

Size: 45.5m Wide, 66m Long

Style: Gable

System: Futura Box Beam System 

Smarter Shelter, Healthier Herd: Vos Farms’ Composting Barn

Vos Farms, milking 320 cows alongside beef and young stock in the heart of the Waikato, needed a practical, all-weather solution. With a climate that swings between very wet and very dry, they wanted more than just a cover over a feed pad. Their new composting barn gives them flexibility right across the year, keeping cows off pasture for several days, protecting paddocks in the wetter months, reducing heat stress in summer, and providing a safe, sheltered space for calving.

After doing their homework on different systems, including talking with other farmers and looking into feed pad covers. Vos Farms realised a composting barn would deliver far more than shelter. The dual-purpose design gives them a feed pad on one side and calving space on the other, creating year-round benefits for both herd and land.

The decision came down to animal wellbeing and long-term value. The barn’s protective canopies and ridge vent keep rain out while still letting fresh air circulate, meaning the woodchip bedding lasts longer and cows are more comfortable. Since moving in, the herd has been noticeably calmer and more settled, so much so that you can walk amongst them and give them a pat.

Location: Huntly, Waikato
Client: Dairy Farmer
Application: Dairy Farming Waikato, 
Reference: C3155