Chris Hawking of Corohawk has attended a number of field days with DairyNZ and Ministry for Primary Industries to thoroughly research exactly what the new regulations require, before designing and manufacturing pens of two different sizes to comply with the rules.

“The new regulations apply to the handling of all calves, not just bobby calves but also heifer calves going to sales – and MPI has made it clear they will be checking to see if farmers comply and issuing infringement notices to those who don’t,” says Chris, who advises farmers to get their orders for new Corohawk pens in quickly.

The raised pens and ramps will be on display at the Corohawk site at Fieldays site D117-115 so farmers can see for themselves the design features which meet the new regulations.

The pens are 1100cm off the ground to meet the height of bobby calf trucks and have ramps which comply with the requirement for calves to be freely able to walk on to the truck. Chris says the calves must also be fit and healthy before transport and must be kept in covered pens which keep them dry and comfortable.

The Corohawk pens have a side gate, so that truck drivers don’t have to walk into the farmer’s rearing pens with the calves, reducing the risk of spreading diseases such as scours.

“While calves must be well enough to travel, some could be in the early stages of developing scours. “If a truck driver walks into the pen, he can spread the infection on his boots, which can then be picked up by the farmer walking into the pen or on the ramp.

“It doesn’t take much for that infection to spread between every farm on a truck driver’s route, which is why keeping drivers out of the pens is a must.”

Corohawk Bobby Calf Pens and Bobby Calf Ramps are made of tanalised timber, which is drilled and bolted together. Decking and rails are screwed on with stainless screws. The pens have galvanised gates at both ends. Built to Dairy NZ specifications, they are sold as a kitset or fully assembled.

The pens are among a wide range of products designed and produced by 30-year-old Corohawk, which has become a New Zealand rural institution. Also on display at Fieldays will be the Corohawk in-shed dairy feed systems, its range of kennels and animal shelters including for calves. Corohawk also supply Jamesway Hatchery equipment as well as Chore-Time Silos, feeder and drinker lines for the poultry industry