Infrastructure

Feedpad

Shade structures

Permanent shade structures over feedpads (or freestalls) can make a big impact on overall farm productivity.

Shade provided here encourages cows to keep eating.

Permanent shade sheds are an investment that provides excellent protection from solar radiation – but they must be well designed and constructed.

Permanent shade sheds

An effectively designed and built shade shed provides:

• sufficient room for resting and standing
• comfortable, hygienic lying surfaces
• clean, dry surfaces for standing and feed placement
• a safe environment to minimise injury
• smooth, quiet stock movement.

Note that the orientation and roof design of the shade structure will influence the amount of solar radiation that it can block.

Strengths:

• Fast to set up, but with a long useful life – at least 25 years.
• Doubles as a feedout facility,
• Can be used to protect pastures and prevent soil pugging during prolonged periods of rainfall.
• Can be used to break the growth cycle of parasites such as cattle tick and reduce the need for chemicals.
• Can be fitted with evaporative cooling systems such as sprinklers and fans (see Section 3b).
• Can be converted into a freestall or integrated with loafing pads if well designed.

Limitations:

• Location on farm is not always ideal for paddock rotation.
• High capital cost to provide shade. Cost depends on amount of concrete; type of roof, strength of structure required to support roof and the effluent management system.
• Must have an effective system for handling effluent and run-off, otherwise cow comfort and production may be compromised.
• Need to comply with regulatory authorities (e.g. local council building permit for solids roof structures).

Keys to success MANAGEMENT IS easier if the shade structure is located close to the dairy, as staff can monitor the herd while preparing for milking or post-milking clean-up. CONSIDER THE effects of prevailing winds, radiation from the sun and rainfall. Structures need to be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. DAILY SCRAPING of earthen feedpad surfaces helps manage the risk of mastitis. AN EFFECTIVE system for handling effluent and run-off.