Lincoln University’s Agricultural Research Department includes real farm facilities – and that’s where Dave McCrea’s farm building expertise came in handy. The university needed a new dairy shed and feed pad system for their 650-strong herd, and we came in to manage the project.

The high-tech pad includes a flood wash system, silage bunker, rails for raised feed beds and a non-slip surface to make the space safer for cows – and humans. Dave and the team took care of the entire project, pouring and vibrating over 2000 square metres of concrete and installing all the other elements in place.

At the end of the project, Lincoln had a new facility custom-designed for their unique needs.

At Million Springs Farm in the Hakataramea Valley, the cows enjoy a stunning view over the valley towards the Waitaki River – and their dairy shed isn’t half bad either.

The Million Springs project was a big one, with our team designing and constructing one manager’s home and two workers’ cottages on the farm, as well as the huge 60-bale rotary dairy shed. Dave McCrea Builders managed the entire project, designing the shed to fit the geography of the site and the management of the farm, and creating attractive, practical worker accommodation. We did almost everything – concrete pouring, yard work, and all that goes into a functional dairy shed except the milking system.

The build wasn’t without challenges, with a remote location and some extreme weather. Because the project stretched over several months, Dave and the boys experienced high temperatures in summer and freezing weather in winter.

In the end, the effort was worth it, with great feedback from the owners. The cows seem happy too.

When a major earthquake hit the Kaikoura region in 2016, the destruction was extensive. One Waiau farm suffered major damage to its dairy shed, which needed to be rebuilt ASAP to get the business back on track.

Dave and the team got on board immediately, staying on-site during the week for most of the 4-month build. We had to pull down the damaged shed and start from scratch – building a 60-bale shed with all the bells and whistles as quickly as possible. One heart-warming detail: neighbouring farmers helped by milking 20-30 cows in their own sheds until the new facility was finished.

At the end of the project, the farm was fully functional again – and the Dave McCrea team moved on to another farm devastated by the quakes.