dPENZ bobby calf platform developer Daryl Wheeler (right) and engineer Dan Orr who helped fine tune the product.

Te Pahu based fencer Daryl Wheeler isn't accustomed to talking in public about himself, or something he has done, but lately that is exactly what he has been doing.

The Country caught up with Mr Wheeler at a Dairy NZ discussion group where he was promoting the dPenz Bobby Calf Platform - the new product he has developed and brought to market as the result of enquiries from clients of his Wheeler Fencing business.

Mr Wheeler says clients asked him to build wooden pens that would enable them to meet new bobby calf regulations. He soon realised there was going to be a demand for pens and his research lead him to believe the ultimate product wasn't yet available.

With a farming upbringing, then 10 years dairy farming before becoming a contract fencer for the past 20 years, he had plenty of experience to call on.

Despite wood being his usual material of choice, Mr Wheeler says it became obvious it wasn't right for this project.

Mr Wheeler's concept was for a metal kitset pen that could be delivered 'flat pack' style for convenience, put together on-site when needed and packed away for easy storage. He says that also extends the life of the materials.

It took him 10 months to design and build the dPenz system.

Mr Wheeler called on Dan Orr, and engineer with 20 years experience, to help iron out the bugs and build the first dPenz, which was also the first metal bobby calf platform at that time.

Pens are made of galvanised steel, with a non-slip, self-cleaning floor, steps for access and a spring operated, self aligning extension platform for loading. The latter feature means there are no gaps between the pen and the truck.

Mr Wheeler says he started with the flooring material, as that was key to the success of the design. The special grating is used for all flat surfaces.

Another important feature is the disinfectant mat which addresses the important concern around biosecurity.

Ramps are used to walk the calves into the pens.

Mr Wheeler says he has to thanks his grandparents Phylilis and Eric Atkins - it was on their farm as a youngster that he used to help by leading bobby calves to the gate for pickup.

The ramps are sold in sections, with adjustable legs, to create the ideal slope to suit the specific farm terrain and location.

Used level, they can also double as a small animal race.

The dPenz comes in modules depending on the capacity needed, with various wall and roof options.

Mr Wheeler says he has talked to hundreds of people and put in hundreds of hours to the project and believes it is the ultimate system.

* dPenz is a Farmlands card partner and can be viewed at the Te Awamutu store, or contact Mr Wheeler - 0800 327 959, wheelerfencing@gmail.com