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Portable calf canopy
By Tom Collins QUINTE A new portable canopy for calves in hutches is now being marketed by its Eastern Ontario designers. Sarah and Kevin Wolters, of Quinte, came up with the calf canopy idea in 2013 when they were looking for group housing for their calves without having to build a barn. It doesnt require a building permit and is a sheltered feed and pen so calves can roam and eat without exposure to bad weather. Skis can be attached to the four corners of the canopy to move it and allow the farmer to clean the area. The canopy comes in eight models, and retails from $3,800 to $8,600. Each canopy includes a feed bunk and is enclosed by wire fencing. “Its an entirely different concept on group housing animals,” said Sarah Wolters. The prototype was finished last year and they sold four units by years end one buyer was from Connecticut, another in Belize. Ontario farmers are interested in the product, but want to see how it holds up in winter before they commit to buy, Wolters said.
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