The Rural Voice, 2019-05, Page 24The new barn at van Stee
Holsteins Inc., is the first barn
in Southwestern Ontario to
feature a sidewall shutter ventilation
system. The system doesn’t require a
mesh like turkey curtains do, which
can limit airflow. Also, the shutters
block 80 per cent of rain which
means cows near the walls don’t
have to sleep on a wet bed.
Over a thousand farmers and their
families came to see all the features
of the 440-stall dairy barn near
Moorefield on March 28.
Many donuts, beef buns, coffees
and chocolate milks were consumed
as families made a day of exploring
the handsome building with its 18-
foot Gigant air and light ridge. There
is no ceiling in the barn to block the
light. The roof is a sandwich panel of
steel/insulation/steel, explained Niek
van Stee. Plus, the middle two feet of
the ridge are open which draws out
more air than conventional chimneys
20 The Rural Voice
Space for cows and the next generation
Dairy
With six robots, potential for 440
dairy stalls and extra barns for
heifer and dry cow pens, more
room means healthier animals say
both generations milking cows at
van Stee Holsteins Inc.
• By Lisa B. Pot •
Niek and Sonya van Stee are the next generation to manage the
dairy at van Stee Holsteins Inc., near Moorefield as founders, Nico
and Marian move towards retirement. Niek is a computer expert
while Sonya raises the calves at the large dairy.