The Rural Voice, 2005-04, Page 2824 THE RURAL VOICE
MAITLAND VALLEY
Agri Systems Ltd.
LUCKNOW, ON 519-529-3820,„:
investment.
In 1969 the Buffingas added both
a milk house and a lean-to to the old
barn. In 1972 they added another
addition.
Bert and Susan married in 1977
and she moved back to the farm
where she grew up. Bert's father
helped out on the farm until last year.
With the exception of another
small addition in 1991, and
improvements inside the buildings,
the family was operating their farm
pretty much the same way at
Christmas 2002 and at that point had
no real plans to change.
But with two of their sons
interested in farming and the
realization that if they were to make
changes, it was the time to do it
while they were young enough
themselves to enjoy the new working
environment, the Buffingas changed
course in a matter of weeks and by
January 2003 had called in
contractors to start planning for the
new barn.
They pretty well knew what
they wanted. "Over the years
we've seen enough barns that
we knew what we wanted," says
Bert.
"We collected ideas on tours of
other barns," Susan adds.
Their builder, Vanden Heuvel
Structures Ltd. of Clinton offered
them several suggestions and
options.
Their goal with the new barn was
space. The stalls in the old barn were
probably suitable for the cows
housed at the time they were
designed but cows have gotten bigger
over the years, Susan explains. As
well, the old barn became incredibly
crowded when all the cattle had to be
brought in in the fall.
"For the first time in my life I
have room," says Bert.
They were also interested in cow
comfort, better ventilation with the
naturally -ventilated, curtain -wall
barn and easy access to the barn with
equipment, unlike the old bank barn.
The biggest hassle in the process
was compiling the nutrient
management plan necessary to get a
building permit, Bert says, joking
that he could talk all day about his
feelings about the plans. They did
come to realize during the process,
however, just how much water is
LUCK,/NOW GRAIN BUGGIES
•
64
'"
Ir
' Unloading Auger
Bottom Clean-Out
Hydraulic Operated
Shut-Offs
' '° Prevents No Load
"",,' Start Ups
. / e 13" x 14' Heavy Duty
Unloading Auger
UNLOAD ON THE GO!
Under Ideal Conditions It Can Unload:
• 400 Bushels in 3 minutes • 600 Bushels in 5 minutes
Helm Welding (1983) Limited
Lucknow, Ontario • Phone: 519-529-7627
email: helmwelding@hurontel.on.ca
www.lucknowproducts.com
24 THE RURAL VOICE
MAITLAND VALLEY
Agri Systems Ltd.
LUCKNOW, ON 519-529-3820,„:
investment.
In 1969 the Buffingas added both
a milk house and a lean-to to the old
barn. In 1972 they added another
addition.
Bert and Susan married in 1977
and she moved back to the farm
where she grew up. Bert's father
helped out on the farm until last year.
With the exception of another
small addition in 1991, and
improvements inside the buildings,
the family was operating their farm
pretty much the same way at
Christmas 2002 and at that point had
no real plans to change.
But with two of their sons
interested in farming and the
realization that if they were to make
changes, it was the time to do it
while they were young enough
themselves to enjoy the new working
environment, the Buffingas changed
course in a matter of weeks and by
January 2003 had called in
contractors to start planning for the
new barn.
They pretty well knew what
they wanted. "Over the years
we've seen enough barns that
we knew what we wanted," says
Bert.
"We collected ideas on tours of
other barns," Susan adds.
Their builder, Vanden Heuvel
Structures Ltd. of Clinton offered
them several suggestions and
options.
Their goal with the new barn was
space. The stalls in the old barn were
probably suitable for the cows
housed at the time they were
designed but cows have gotten bigger
over the years, Susan explains. As
well, the old barn became incredibly
crowded when all the cattle had to be
brought in in the fall.
"For the first time in my life I
have room," says Bert.
They were also interested in cow
comfort, better ventilation with the
naturally -ventilated, curtain -wall
barn and easy access to the barn with
equipment, unlike the old bank barn.
The biggest hassle in the process
was compiling the nutrient
management plan necessary to get a
building permit, Bert says, joking
that he could talk all day about his
feelings about the plans. They did
come to realize during the process,
however, just how much water is