Dairy Complex – Hedley
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Dairy Complex – Hedley
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Four Sheds, One Farm
Stage 1:
Dairy Shed and Stockyard Cover
The dairy milking parlour features a 30m clear-span shed designed to accommodate an 80-stand rotary dairy platform, providing uninterrupted internal space for efficient operation and cow flow. The structure is manufactured from hot dip galvanised universal beam (UB) columns and rafters, delivering long-term durability in a demanding agricultural environment.
The use of UB rafters minimises bird nesting opportunities and maximises height clearance compared to open web rafters, enhancing both hygiene and functional headroom.
Adjacent to the main shed, the skillion stockyard cover provides sheltered space over the vet area, supporting year-round usability.
Both the dairy and the stockyard cover have large sliding doors incorporated into the design allowing for unimpeded cow traffic and clear access for large machinery.
Key Features Included:
- Various sliding doors up to 7.5m wide allowing for large clear access
- 3050GSM fibreglass skylights reducing reliance on electrical lighting
- Dairy Shed Gable Infill - for additional weather protection
- CHS columns in stock areas to help prevent bruising and eliminate the need for wall bracing
- Roof overhangs for additional weather protection
- Hot dip galvanised universal beam rafters and columns for ultimate corrosion resistance
Stage 2:
Calving Barn and Calf Rearing Shed
Following the success of the dairy and yard cover, Ian returned to Bairnsdale Engineering to manufacture a purpose-built 30m span calving barn and a 112m long calf rearing shed.
A key focus of these structures was ventilation and animal welfare. The designs carefully balance consistent airflow with protection from draughts, creating a stable internal environment for vulnerable stock.
The calving barn incorporates a continuous ridge vent and back wall eave gap to enhance the natural stack effect generated by ruminating cows, promoting effective air exchange without compromising comfort.
A custom-designed gutter system was also introduced to reduce the number of downpipes on site, keeping downpipes clear of livestock zones.
Calving Barn Key Features
Ventilation
A smoke test was conducted in the calving barn and the results proved the ridge and eave ventilation gaps were successful in circulating fresh air without any stale spots in the shed.
Eave Overhangs
1.5m eave overhangs offer additional weather protection helping to keep the pack dry.
Wall Girts to Suit Marine Ply
Wall girt centres were customised to suit marine ply installed by the client.
Hot Dip Galvanised UB Columns & Rafters
For ultimate corrosion resistance, the columns and rafters were hot dip galvanised. The universal beam rafters reduced bird roosting possibilities, helping to improve hygiene in the shed.
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.”
Calf Shed Key Features
Skillion Roof
Oriented to the north, the skillion roof maximizes winter sunlight, allowing it to reach the back wall at the winter solstice.
Eave Overhangs
Front and back eaves offer additional weather protection without impeding airflow and winter sunlight.
Eave Vent Gap
A ventilation gap under the back eave ensures effective air circulation without creating draughty conditions for young calves.
8m bays
The shed was divided up into fourteen 8m bays to suit Ian’s pen sizes.
Performaflow® Gutter
Custom gutter was calculated to take all the rainwater to the centre of the back wall, discharging into a single tank.
Explore More Projects
Four Sheds, One Farm
Stage 1:
Dairy Shed and Stockyard Cover
The dairy milking parlour features a 30m clear-span shed designed to accommodate an 80-stand rotary dairy platform, providing uninterrupted internal space for efficient operation and cow flow. The structure is manufactured from hot dip galvanised universal beam (UB) columns and rafters, delivering long-term durability in a demanding agricultural environment.
The use of UB rafters minimises bird nesting opportunities and maximises height clearance compared to open web rafters, enhancing both hygiene and functional headroom.
Adjacent to the main shed, the skillion stockyard cover provides sheltered space over the vet area, supporting year-round usability.
Both the dairy and the stockyard cover have large sliding doors incorporated into the design allowing for unimpeded cow traffic and clear access for large machinery.
Key Features Included:
- Various sliding doors up to 7.5m wide allowing for large clear access
- 3050GSM fibreglass skylights reducing reliance on electrical lighting
- Dairy Shed Gable Infill - for additional weather protection
- CHS columns in stock areas to help prevent bruising and eliminate the need for wall bracing
- Roof overhangs for additional weather protection
- Hot dip galvanised universal beam rafters and columns for ultimate corrosion resistance
Stage 2:
Calving Barn and Calf Rearing Shed
Following the success of the dairy and yard cover, Ian returned to Bairnsdale Engineering to manufacture a purpose-built 30m span calving barn and a 112m long calf rearing shed.
A key focus of these structures was ventilation and animal welfare. The designs carefully balance consistent airflow with protection from draughts, creating a stable internal environment for vulnerable stock.
The calving barn incorporates a continuous ridge vent and back wall eave gap to enhance the natural stack effect generated by ruminating cows, promoting effective air exchange without compromising comfort.
A custom-designed gutter system was also introduced to reduce the number of downpipes on site, keeping downpipes clear of livestock zones.
Calving Barn Key Features
Ventilation
A smoke test was conducted in the calving barn and the results proved the ridge and eave ventilation gaps were successful in circulating fresh air without any stale spots in the shed.
Eave Overhangs
1.5m eave overhangs offer additional weather protection helping to keep the pack dry.
Wall Girts to Suit Marine Ply
Wall girt centres were customised to suit marine ply installed by the client.
Hot Dip Galvanised UB Columns & Rafters
For ultimate corrosion resistance, the columns and rafters were hot dip galvanised. The universal beam rafters reduced bird roosting possibilities, helping to improve hygiene in the shed.
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.”
Calf Shed Key Features
Skillion Roof
Oriented to the north, the skillion roof maximizes winter sunlight, allowing it to reach the back wall at the winter solstice.
Eave Overhangs
Front and back eaves offer additional weather protection without impeding airflow and winter sunlight.
Eave Vent Gap
A ventilation gap under the back eave ensures effective air circulation without creating draughty conditions for young calves.
8m bays
The shed was divided up into fourteen 8m bays to suit Ian’s pen sizes.
Performaflow® Gutter
Custom gutter was calculated to take all the rainwater to the centre of the back wall, discharging into a single tank.
Explore More Projects
