Unfortunately the life and death of animals is a near everyday occurrence on a farm. But for Craig Bassett the death rate of a third of new calves dying is just too much to handle. Dairy farmers need calves in order for the cow to produce milk and with young dairy animals already notoriously hard to raise, providing replacements for the ageing cows is becoming difficult.

But to fight this Bassett has created his own innovative portable metal shed to save the lives of these calves. Most structures are permanent but the creation of portable housing on skids has dramatically slashed the morality rate. The design is simple, corrugated metal structures built over a bent metal rod frame, with hooks at the front so you can attach it to the back of a vehicle and they also are easily lifted by a few people. It require less maintenance too, as you do not have to clean the bed as often and the cladding itself can simply be pressure washed down.

This is a simple solution to a huge problem, the sheds help keep the calves clean, protected from a change in weather and most importantly disease free. Just goes to show that metal sheds do save lives.

Has there been an outdoor building that you have designed and if so we want to hear from you!