First Place, Canada Region
Ken Vos
Roslin, ON

Wolves had killed six calves on the Voss farm when Ken decided to build them a safe haven that would also store hay. At first, Ken concentrated on getting the 40' wide x 100' long frame up and the calving area completed. He used 6" x 6" hemlock for the frame, strapping, and inside walls. The outside is sided in white cedar, board and batten style. Once the calves had protection, Ken was relieved and could sleep at night.

Next, Ken went to work on the hay storage allowing him to keep his hay dry and feed his cattle a much higher quality product which in return yields higher milk quality and quantity. Ken's building effort was interrupted due to the popularity of his cedar siding, though. "I had so many people buying the siding I finally had to stop selling it so I could finish the barn," comments Ken.

After two years, the project was completed and Ken estimates he saved more than $14,000 by sawing and using 12,500 board feet of his own wood. Plus, Ken estimates having the barn saves him $6,000 a year in calf loss. "It is a win-win situation," states Ken.