When heat, flies, poor cow flow and lameness became everyday challenges, Waikato farmers Brad Hancock and Tash Ward knew patching up their old herringbone dairy wasn't the answer. Instead, they invested in a purpose-built 54-bail rotary that has improved staff wellbeing, streamlined milking, reduced pressure on the herd and laid the foundation for future automation. This Dairying by Design NZ project showcases how smart planning, practical design and the right team of contractors delivered a dairy built for the future.

A new dairy build at Delta Farms Ltd proves that sometimes the smallest changes can deliver the biggest gains. By moving their rotary shed just 100m, the van Loon and Langford families have dramatically reduced lameness, improved cow flow and created a more efficient working environment for both cows and people.

When Phil Empson decided to rethink what a dairy shed could be, he was not interested in simply building another rotary.

Driven by animal welfare, cow comfort and a desire to challenge traditional thinking, Richmond Downs Ltd in Orakau has become home to one of New Zealand’s most innovative dairy facilities — combining automation, first-to-market technology, smart lighting, advanced shelter systems and a world-class milking environment.

Why build new when a smart renovation can deliver the same result for half the cost? By retaining the existing milk room and vat while completely rebuilding everything else, Matamata dairy farmer Earl Lecky transformed his ageing herringbone dairy into a modern, light-filled facility that improves efficiency, cow flow and everyday enjoyment on the farm.

Four generations of dairying led the Smith family to one important decision—replace two ageing dairies with one purpose-built 54-bail rotary. Built on challenging marine clay using innovative engineering, this Hauraki Plains project combines practical automation, simple design and future-ready thinking to create a dairy with everything they need—and nothing they don't.

After years of operating two ageing dairies, the Smith family made the move to a single, purpose-built 54-bail rotary designed around efficiency, simplicity and succession. Combining innovative engineering with practical automation, this Hauraki Plains project proves that the best dairy designs include everything you need—and nothing you don't.

What started as a dream to know where their milk was going has grown into one of New Zealand's most inspiring dairy success stories. Wayne and Ange Moxham have built Udderly Organic into a thriving boutique creamery by combining regenerative farming, premium organic milk, clever marketing and a passion for supporting their local community.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.