Our farm created this calf pen with a roof that can be lifted up and down. My dad, Fred Ritsema, and employees from his 3,000-cow dairy welded the pen. The roof is lifted by a hand winch and strong cable, and the process takes no more than a minute.

When the sun is out, the roof is lifted so the light can shine in. The sunlight dries out the straw and warms the calves. This is especially handy after it rains, snows, or when it is cold during the winter. We lower the roof back on the pen in the winter or whenever it is needed.
Meagan Ritsema, Kansas