Why more farmers are turning to wintering barns – and how X-CALIBR™ makes them easier to build

Wintering barns are on the rise across rural New Zealand - especially in the dairy sector, where increasing pressure to reduce nutrient runoff and protect pasture during winter months is driving a rethink of stock housing. 

Whether you are planning a loafing barn, feed pad, or covered winter shelter, the logic is the same: better welfare for livestock, easier effluent management, and protection of land during high rainfall periods. 

But for all their benefits, large-scale wintering barns need to be tough, clean, and quick to install. That is where X-CALIBR™, our roll-formed structural portal system, is proving to be a game changer.

A 36m x 136m Wintering Barn

X-CALIBR™: smarter structural systems for rural builds 

X-CALIBR™ is a pre-configured, mechanically connected light gauge steel system developed by Central Steel Framing (CSF) using proprietary roll-forming and rivet technology from Howick Ltd. It is purpose-built for rural and light industrial projects and is fast becoming the preferred alternative to hot-rolled or cut-on-site box beam systems. 

Rather than shipping raw lengths of steel for onsite cutting and welding, X-CALIBR™ components are: 

• Roll-formed, pre-cut and pre-measured with precision

• Configured offsite into portal structure sections (rafters, columns, beams, wind posts, purlins and girts) 

• Mechanically joined using CSF’s proprietary IP rivet system 

That means you receive a precision structural kit that is ready to install. 

• No onsite measuring, cutting or welding 

• No heavy hot rolled steel handling 

• Clean, galvanised steel throughout 

• Rapid installation and minimal labour needed 
  
  

Proven performance – installed in hours, not weeks 

In a recent build for a 650m² honey storage facility, the entire portal framing structure was installed in just 12 hours using X-CALIBR™. That kind of speed and consistency is unmatched by traditional portal framing methods. 

For wintering barns - which need to balance strength, hygiene and longevity - X-CALIBR™ offers a practical, efficient alternative to hot-rolled steel or timber frames. With a Z450 galvanised coating and 2mm Grade 550 steel, the system is made to handle high-load environments, from feed pads to effluent-heavy zones. 

Built to withstand tough conditions 

Unlike timber or fabricated steel, X-CALIBR™ does not rot, warp, or require painting, and is engineered to last in high humidity and ammonia-heavy agricultural environments. The galvanised surface resists corrosion, while precision design ensures perfect alignment onsite. 

Bird proofing options are also available, with custom purlin/girt designs and cap strips that make the structure easier to seal and secure. 

Thinking of building a wintering barn? 

If you are looking at upgrading your on-farm infrastructure to meet new environmental expectations, or simply want better control over stock housing in wet conditions, X-CALIBR™ offers a faster, smarter path to a reliable structural solution. 

Available in turnkey or kitset form, it is ideal for rural builders, shed manufacturers and hands-on landowners who want to save time and reduce complexity. There is nothing else on the market that goes together this quickly and this easily.