Off-paddock investment
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2 min read
Making good decisions when investing in off-paddock infrastructure requires sound analysis of your farm system and available options . Check with your regional council about any regulatory requirements, such as minimum standards if a resource consent is required, prior to planning any off-paddock infrastructure. Be aware of animal welfare requirements in the Dairy Cattle code of welfare when designing your system.
Plan for success
Planning for long-term success starts with understanding the full scope of costs involved – not just the upfront investment, but hidden expenses including ongoing maintenance, labour, and equipment. A well-thought-out approach helps avoid unexpected financial burdens. Investing in the right infrastructure is key to ensuring your facility is efficient, supports animal welfare, meets environmental requirements and is resilient to extreme weather events. Well-designed off-paddock solutions can help protect pasture, improve feed management and safeguard production, making your farm more adaptable to changing climate conditions.
While any type of infrastructure can complement any system, some are more suited to more intensive systems, and you would have to intensify your system to balance the budget. Each type of infrastructure requires a different level of investment. For example, a poorly ventilated composting barn can hinder its functionality.
Consulting with experienced professionals and farmers who have recently built infrastructure can provide valuable insights into selecting the right facility and help you avoid costly errors ensuring it meets all necessary requirements.
What type of infrastructure will suit your needs?
Loose-housed barn - A loose-housed barn is where cows have the freedom to move around and rest in a large open area that is covered by a roof. There are many types of loose housed systems, with different bedding materials, constructions and design.
Free stall barn - Free stall barns are a roofed facility where cows have individual stalls for resting. Free stall barns can significantly improve feed usage, and reduce on-going maintenance costs , but they can require a substantial initial investment and sophisticated management. Careful considerations around design, location, feed supply management, and cow spacing are vital.
Stand off pad - A stand-off pad is a purpose built, drained loafing area where stock can be held for long periods when it is not suitable to have them on pasture. These can be covered or uncovered (i.e. with or without a roof). In most cases, stand-off pads are not a place to feed animals but a large area for stock to lie down and rest, while protecting pastures from damage such as pugging and overgrazing.
Feed pad - A feed pad is used for regular supplementary feeding of cows on an area that is either formed with a solid foundation and/or concreted to establish a permanent feeding area. These can be covered or uncovered (i.e. with or without a roof). Feed pads allow efficient use of supplementary feed.
Animal Welfare considerations
When considering housing for cows, some structures are more suitable than others for housing cows for longer periods of time. Covered feed pads, covered stand-off pads and loose housed barn options are viable, provided the space per cow is increased to 8-10m² and the loafing surface meets animal welfare requirements. Free stalls are considered the gold standard but require regular use to justify the investment. If cows will be milked within the structure for extended periods throughout the year, different requirements may apply. It's best to check with your milk company to ensure compliance.
As you move into partially and fully housed structures the level of stockmanship required escalates rapidly. Risks to cow welfare in off-paddock systems are different to outdoor grazing systems and will require staff to provide appropriate care. Talk to a veterinarian who has expertise with the types of health challenges seen off-paddock systems will be important.