Farming in Northern British Columbia comes with its fair share of challenges: harsh winters, unpredictable weather, and long days of hard labour are just part of the job.

But at Whiskey Creek Ranch in Rose Prairie, B.C., Michelle and Gaston Schaeffer are proof that technology and tradition can work together to form a farm that’s more efficient, sustainable, and resilient.

With a focus on regenerative agriculture, Whiskey Creek Ranch produces pasture-raised pork, grass-finished beef, poultry, eggs, honey, and garlic. They also offer bone broth, specialty preserves, and other local foods, selling directly to customers through their online store and farmers' markets.

Their approach to farming is focused on restoring the land, improving soil health, and strengthening their local food system.

Recently, the Schaeffers added a ROVA|BARN 700 S to bring automation to their daily operations. Here’s how it’s changed the way they farm.

The Search for a Smarter Farming Solution

Before using the mobile ROVA|BARN, Whiskey Creek Ranch had the same challenges that a lot of small and mid-sized farms do: labour-intensive livestock management, feed waste, and the constant balancing act of running a farm while managing family commitments. It made their days long and unpredictable.

They heard about UKKÖ’s mobile chicken coop from fellow farmers in B.C. and were curious about its ability to help their farm operations. Knowing a Canadian company designed it made the decision even easier.

But before making their decision, they had a few key questions—how well would the ROVA|BARN handle movement across their terrain? Could it keep up with their farm’s needs in terms of capacity, power, and overall efficiency?

UKKÖ’s co-founder Dan was there to walk them through everything. He explained how the system’s solar-powered design keeps it running off-grid, how its mobility supports rotational grazing, and how it’s built for real-world farm environments—including the seasonal challenges of Northern B.C (it was designed and tested in Manitoba, after all).

That, combined with the mobile coop’s ability to improve soil health and vegetation management, sealed the deal for Whiskey Creek. A ROVA|BARN was on the way!

How the ROVA|BARN Helps

The Schaeffers wasted no time putting their ROVA|BARN 700 S to work. And with half of a Northern B.C. winter behind them, they’ve already seen some big changes in how they manage their farm:

• Less feed waste: With better control over feed distribution, they’ve significantly cut down on waste while ensuring their animals are getting exactly what they need.
• Better egg collection system: Their previous setup was inefficient, but the ROVA|BARN’s automated egg collection has helped quicken the process and saved them money.
• More flexibility: The system is user-friendly enough for Whiskey Creek’s farmhands to easily manage when Michelle and Gaston have to step away.
• Easy access to information: Strategically placed QR codes on the unit allow them to quickly pull up the operator’s manual or order parts when needed, which makes troubleshooting much simpler.
• Responsive support: If they run into an issue they can’t solve on their own, the UKKÖ team is always there to help.

A Family Affair

‍One of the unexpected highlights of installing the mobile chicken coop at Whiskey Creek was finding an eager young apprentice.

During the setup, the Schaeffers’ 9-year-old daughter was fascinated by the process and became a shadow to Dan and Kat. She peppered them with questions and was eager to learn how it all worked, so they taught her all about the tech, answered her (many) questions, and encouraged her curiosity.

It was a great reminder for the entire UKKÖ team of how innovation can inspire the next generation of farmers and engineers.

Looking Ahead

‍For small and mid-sized farms like Whiskey Creek Ranch, the ROVA|BARN automated barn is proof that agri-tech isn’t just for large-scale operations.

By adding automation to their farm’s regenerative farming principles, Michelle and Gaston are making their farm more productive, sustainable, and resilient against challenges like extreme weather and labour shortages.

They plan to keep using their ROVA|BARN 700 S year-round and are even exploring ways to integrate it into their cropped areas for better soil health.

Ready to See How the ROVA|BARN Can Help Your Farm?

‍Book a demo today or learn more about the ROVA|BARN 700 S and other smart, mobile farming solutions built by UKKÖ.