Needs + challenges

Stephen and Samantha Armstrong manage a 140-hectare dairy farm, with their children Archer and Georgie in tow. Starting small more than eight years ago, they have gradually built their stock and now milk more than 475 cows, with a view to ongoing growth. Stephen needed a new calving barn for the 2022 season – to expand operations and ensure stock comfort and wellbeing. Importantly, it needed the strength, size and flexibility to last. Timing was key, with the huge new structure needing to be fully functional within around three months from the first phone call.

Success made simple

The calving barn actually beat the tough deadline, and was fully functional in time for calving season to kick off. During the season, it proved to be a time, stress and sleep saver! Stephen says it removes the need to check stock overnight because they were happy, warm and dry. Outside of calving season, he
uses it to store straw and hay. The small trucks they use to move hay around stay dry in wet weather – and the shed’s height makes it “safe and simple” for the tractor to operate inside. Adding a canopy to the shed the following year, Stephen says if he had to do it all again, he’d do it with Bison.

Needs + challenges

With 2,200 cows between their four dairy farms, the Dornauf family values great working relationships and streamlined operations. Bison was proud to work with Dornauf Dairies to construct a dairy building for their innovative, state-of-the-art milking equipment – and to bring further efficiency to their business. The success of that project inspired them to choose Bison again, to design and construct a multi-purpose farm building. It needed to:

• accommodate 250 Friesian heifer calves in calving season
• become a farm workshop and machinery shed for the rest of the year
• tie in with an existing 40-year-old shed.

Success made simple

The new building perfectly fits the requirements, with the flexibility and added value of
year-round use. The building ties perfectly with the existing older shed, and the team
refreshed its guttering and fascia. Nick said “it was really pleasing to work with a
company that was happy to be flexible and tie in with constraints we had on the site”. He
especially appreciated having one point of contact for the entire project, from design and
construction to completion. He said the fact that Bison “helped us look after planning,
council and any other issues that arise … makes the whole project work very seamlessly.”

Needs + Challenges

Nigel Brock of Brockton Dairy represents the third generation to manage his family farm, established in the 1920s. Over the years, the farm expanded from 250 cows to a robust 850-cow herd. By 2008, the complexities of managing large-scale operations in a wet, flood-prone environment became evident. Nigel faced challenges with calving outdoors in harsh conditions, where mud, cold, and limited dry ground caused significant stress to cows, calves, and staff. To improve animal welfare and operational efficiency, Nigel needed a purpose-built calving barn to ensure the well-being of his herd while making life easier for his team.

Success made Simple

With Bison Constructions’ expertise, Nigel’s vision became a reality. Nigel shared that the barn has transformed operations. It keeps cows and calves warm, dry, and safe, even during extreme weather events like blizzards. Staff no longer have to endure wet, freezing nights to check on calving cows, greatly improving their well-being and work efficiency. The barn also offers versatility, doubling as a storage space for feed and equipment outside of calving season.

Needs + challenges
Bison worked with Project Manager Paul Arnold, as well as Building Designer Peter Poke,
to bring this exciting vision to life. The objective was to create a commercial dairy, artisan
cheesemaking factory, educational experience and tourist attraction all rolled into one.
The dairy milks around 100 cows and aims to convert as much milk as possible into
unique artisan cheeses onsite. The requirements and challenges were many.

• House a state-of-the-art robotic milking operation, prioritising quality milk and
  animal health.
• Create a food-compliant cheese factory, with sealed walls and windows.
• Accommodate observation areas for student and visitor tours.
• Ensure a fast and seamless build.

Success made simple
Today, this remarkable state-of-the-art facility operates a robotic dairy, where a herd of
around 100 mixed breed cows are “automatically and voluntarily milked”. Visitors are
treated to a full view of the beautiful cows being milked by Lely robotics in a purposebuilt viewing area. From the same area, they can turn around and see how that fresh milk
is transformed into incredibly pure, creamy cheeses. According to Paul, timing was spoton, with the Bison team ready to build as soon as approvals came through. The roof was
lifted “in a very short period of time” and “was a very, very quick process”. The whole
team worked well together and Paul says: “We engaged very well with Bison all the way
through”. Bison was proud to provide in-kind support to the community-based Agritas
Trade College for this project (along with other companies), to help promote a
sustainable dairy industry, educate students and strengthen the local economy.