One issue on many dairy farms during the winter time is ensuring that adequate cubicle spaces are available for dairy cows.

However, this dairy farmer has devised a quick-fix solution to a cubicle shortage on his farm.

An innovative farmer in the UK has remodeled an old shipping container for the benefit of his dairy cows, transforming it into a fully-functional cubical shed.

Rostons UK recently shared the innovative idea on its Facebook page.

For ventilation, there has been segments cut out of the back of the cubicles, presumably to allow for airflow and avoid condensation.

The container has been placed in a concrete yard. The side panels – on one side – have been removed with support uprights remaining in place to stabilise the structure.

It appears the container has nine cubicles and is bedded with sand for cow comfort.

TAMS commitment

In other building news, a commitment to address the problem with the deadline for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) payment claims was given last month by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The chairperson of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association’s (ICMSA’s) Farm and Rural Affairs Committee, Denis Drennan, has welcomed the commitment saying that the problem has had a “severe impact” on a number of applicants.

We were aware of a number of cases where farmers had received 100% penalties due to the late submission of payment claims under the TAMS.

“Under the current procedures, all payment claims for capital works must be submitted within 12 months of approval and for mobile equipment within six months of approval.”