Calving and Wintering Barns
Bairnsdale Engineering:
Calving and Wintering Barns
Calving sheds and wintering barns are becoming an increasingly important part of modern dairy farming. In Australian conditions, protection from wind, rain, mud, and extreme temperatures can make a significant difference to both animal welfare and farm productivity.
For newborn calves, a sheltered and controlled environment helps ensure calves are born in clean, dry conditions, supporting healthier stock and improved herd performance. Wintering sheds provide a practical space for supplementary feeding during wet periods, helping to reduce paddock pugging and protect pasture quality. Loafing barns offer relief from summer heat, reducing heat stress and helping maintain consistent milk production.
Every dairy farm operates differently, which is why Bairnsdale Engineering works closely with you to develop a calving shed or wintering barn tailored to your operation. Our design team considers your existing infrastructure, stock flow, feeding systems, and site layout to ensure the finished shed works seamlessly within your farm.
Our sheds are manufactured using hot-dip galvanised universal beam columns and rafters, providing exceptional strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The versatility of the universal beam frame allows for a wide range of customisation options, including eaves, awnings, overhangs, ventilation openings, and customised roof pitches, all while maintaining a clean and practical design.
Fresh air is essential for cattle health, so ventilation is a key consideration in every shed we design. Our specially developed ridge ventilation and wall ventilation systems promote continuous airflow while minimising draughts and keeping bad weather out. The result is a healthier, more comfortable environment for your stock throughout the year.
To simplify cleaning and day-to-day management, concrete panels or marine ply can be incorporated into the shed design. Steelwork and wall framing can be customised to suit your preferred wall system, creating a practical and durable solution that stands up to the demands of a busy dairy operation.
The small details make a big difference. By combining practical design, effective ventilation, and durable construction, Bairnsdale Engineering delivers custom calving sheds and wintering barns that support efficient workflows, improve animal comfort, and help dairy farmers get the most from their investment.
Calving and Wintering Barn
Options and Features
Universal Beam Rafters
Minimise debris accumulation and prevent bird nesting for a cleaner shed environment.
Ventilation Solutions
Eave, ridge, and wall ventilation gaps help eliminate stale air, keep bedding dry, and reduce disease risks.
Hot Dip Galvanised Columns & Rafters
Provide ultimate corrosion resistance, ensuring long-term structural integrity in tough agricultural environments.
Overhangs
Are easily achieved with the UB rafter, providing additional weather protection, especially over wall ventilation gaps or feed alleys.
Concrete panels
Offer an easy clean-out process and create wall vent gaps that assist the ventilation ‘stack effect’ while protecting shed walls.
Performaflow® Gutter
Bairnsdale Engineering’s performance solution gutters reduce onsite plumbing, making them ideal for large-scale calving barns with big roof areas.
Client Outcome
“Calving in the barn has given the calves a warm and dry environment as soon as they are born. They are quick to get up and walk around. We used to drive out into the paddocks up to 5 times a night to check on the cows where we would find newborn calves shivering in the wet. Other times we would go out to bring in a cow that was calving or close to calving and would end up with 20 others following us all the way to the shed. Then we had to walk them all the way back to the paddock. It’s improved more than animal welfare. We used to lose acres of pasture each year with the cows pugging up the paddocks around the hay rings. Feeding them at the bunk beside the calving barn saves the paddocks and has significantly reduced feed waste. We have also seen less wear and tear on the motorbikes as well as reduced strain on the staff.”
Ian – Dairy Farmer, Hedley
At first, I didn’t agree with building the calving shed. But looking back, I wish I would have agreed from the start. The calving shed is our favourite part of the project. It’s versatile and has solved one of the biggest bottlenecks in our business. Milk fever has gone from something we worried about every day to barely even a thought.
