Livestock sheds face constant exposure to the elements, making durable weatherproofing essential for maintaining a healthy and productive environment for sheep and cattle. In this farmer case study, we ask former Welsh Dragons rugby player, Danny Lydiate, about the weatherproofing upgrades he has fitted to a new lambing shed on the mixed family farm located in the Cambrian Mountains, Wales.

Organically farming 500 acres, the family run a flock of about 400-500 sheep, a pedigree herd of Welsh Black cattle, as well as producing organic free range eggs.

Why weatherproof farm buildings?

The UK climate can be harsh, particularly in the Welsh uplands where Tynyberth Farm is located. Danny says that they experience a lot of strong winds and heavy rainfall; conditions which can expose livestock to an increased risk of respiratory diseases and can hamper the ability of young animals to thrive.

In 2023, the family invested in a new multipurpose shed that would be used for lambing and storing machinery. However, the orientation of the building meant that it was exposed to the elements.

Danny explains: “We would often get wind, rain and snow blowing in. We therefore needed a structure that could be fitted retrospectively and could stop the bad weather coming through.”

While sheep are generally able to cope with extreme weather conditions, challenges can come into play during periods of high winds and prolonged cold, especially during lambing season.

Having good shelter available for vulnerable lambs helps protect them against bad weather and reduce the potential impact on growth rates or in the worst case, mortality.

Finding the right weatherproofing solution provider

After doing some research online, Danny came across Galebreaker and contacted the team for a quote for both the Rollerscreen and Bayscreen – fast fit weather protection products.

“The reason we chose Galebreaker was primarily for the durability of the product because I wanted something that was going to be here for a long time. “This obviously married up with the price as well. It’s all got to work out figures wise, and they came to a good deal. So it was a no brainer,” Danny adds.

With an unwavering commitment to quality, Galebreaker’s mesh screens come with a 10-year guarantee.

This dependable quality and durability of materials is a key consideration for many customers like Danny, who expresses his satisfaction six-months after the installation of the weather protection screens.  “They’ve been great for us,” says Danny.

“The screens are made with quality materials. I don’t see why they won’t be here for another you know 25-30 years. I would definitely recommend them to others looking to retrospectively fit a weather protection solution.”

Flexible weatherproofing upgrades

Danny says that the flexibility of the system was a real bonus.

“You just never know with farming when you may need to look at other enterprises to respond to market demand so we didn’t want something that was too permanent,” he explains.

“We also we needed to be able to get machines in for mucking out for example.  This system provides easy access at all times.”

Durable weatherproofing solutions

Danny goes on to praise the robustness of Galebreaker’s agricultural products. “Once the screens were up, they’re made of real sturdy material. We knew that it was definitely going to stop the weather coming in. As we’re planning to move the screens up and down as well, we didn’t want to be moving it a couple of times if it was going to break. So it’s been really good, and we’ve seen a hell of a difference in the lambing shed,” adds Danny.

“I’m hoping that the weather is going to get a bit better in the coming months, so we can open up the full shed if we have livestock in here. There’s plenty of ventilation”.

“When it gets back into the winter months, we can adjust the Galebreaker screens to stop the weather coming in. Once again, I definitely recommend them”.

Galebreaker: The trusted weatherproofing partner

Galebreaker has been a leader in providing weatherproofing solutions for livestock sheds for over 30 years. Known for their innovative designs and durable materials, Galebreaker products help farmers across the UK and beyond maintain productive, weather-resistant livestock environments. Whether you need retractable windbreaks, robust cladding, or efficient ventilation systems, Galebreaker has a solution tailored to your needs.

For more information on how you can upgrade your livestock sheds with Galebreaker’s weatherproofing solutions, call a member of the team on 05131 637 900.

Want to see Danny’s Farm? Take a look at the video here: