BUILT RIGHT. BUILT TO LAST.

When it comes to planning your next build you need to consider your system and how best to provide a healthy environment for the youngstock to thrive. The basic requirements for calf housing include that they are dry with excess moisture continually removed, draught free, clean and cleanable. Graham Heath Construction have been manufacturing and constructing buildings for over two decades. Buildings are designed, manufactured and constructed to customer specification, tailing the design to suit your system on farm.

Designing a building that provides for the calf’s needs, ensures health is optimised, performance is maximised and welfare standards and regulations are complied with.  When you start planning your build it is always best to consider the following building options

• Roofing
• Cladding
• Walling and dividers

Roofing

Let’s talk through the options for the roofing, ridge and lighting

The physical properties of roof cladding materials are relevant to calf health. Metal roof sheets have a low thermal mass and a higher conductivity than fibre cement sheets.  Wherea Fibre Cement roof will prevent condensation build up from the livestock and conduct less heat lowing heat stress to the young stock during the warmer months.

Fibre Cement profile roof prove to be the most popular for agricultural buildings, allowing natural ventilation and absorbing some condensation. They also come in a vast array of colours; Natural Grey, Jasper, Anthracite, Juniper Green, Black, Slate Blue, Van Dyke Brown

Roof lights are beneficial for reducing the need for artificial lighting but you would need to limit the amount on south facing roof space.

Most livestock buildings are designed with an open side and cantilever (Overhang). This provides ventilation, an area for the calves to feed and easy access for machines, whilst still be sheltered from the weather.

Fibre cement roofs are compatible with a vast range of ridge options to suit every building type/use.

Lightridge – designed to improve ventilation in livestock buildings and improve natural light transmission. Toughened waterproof PVC roof panels and wind guide plates will withstand most weather conditions.

GHC Raised Ridge System – with this flexible system that can be set at a height determined to suit your cattle, the raised ridge system allows airflow were most buildings will accumulate warm, moist and stale air. The ‘Cap’ protects the inside from the rain whilst efficiently allowing the air to flow.

Open Protected – With importance of airflow comes the importance of natural light which this ridge system offers. With a polycarbonate strip to minimise the driving rain, allowing natural light and potential to minimize the  risk of heat stress on your cattle.