beef housing and facilities

Meghan Filbert

CCE of Delaware County, NY

Dairy/Livestock Educator

Beef Housing and Facilities

Beef Cattle Production

Cow - calf operation

Feeder cattle operation

Combination of both groups

Growth phases and climate affect what facilities are needed

Seasonal Requirements

Summer Grazing on pasture, no housing

required

Winter Windbreaks Calving barn Portable shelters / open-front shed Barns

Perimeter Fencing

2-4 strands high tensile or smooth electric wire

HT woven wire for sheep, goats and calves

Adequately sized and grounded charger Minimum of 3000 volts

Solid corner and end posts 35-40’ spacing (the hotter the fence, the farther

the post spacing) Use battens to minimize number of permanent

posts

Interior Fencing

Temporary fencing

1-2 strands used to create paddocks within pasture

Rotational grazing recommended New paddock every 2-4 days, 1 week

at max.

21 Mistakes to Avoid with Electric Fencing

www.pasturemanagement.com/mistakes.htm

…. and the use of temporary products for interior division fencing.

Water Supply

Fresh, unfrozen water is essential! Distance to water in pasture, ≤ 1 – 0.5 mile Free access OR ad libitum at least once

daily

7.5 cm of linear space/animal at the waterer 10 gallons/1100 lb/day, average weather 20 gallons/1100 lb/day, hot weather

Portable water tanks in pasture Heated units for winter, snow can be a

water source

Housing

Location Well drained soil Surface water drainage away from

water source

Shelter Dry Draft free Proper ventilation - eve and ridge

vents, curtains

Disadvantages of Housing

Cost to build

Respiratory disease and scours

Manure handling and disposal

Cows are built for cold

Thick hide

Long hair

Low requirements

High fiber diets

Climatic Conditions

Critical temperature (temperature at which body reserves and/or energy normally available for gain is used to maintain body temperature)

0o F for a .45 Mcal NEg

-200 F for .60 Mcal NEg rations

Climatic Conditions

Mud and cold rain increase maintenance energy requirements 25-40%

Cold rain reduces insulation barrier resulting in increased heat loss

Wind: the critical temp changes about 1 degree F for

each 1mph of wind

Abrupt changes have greater impact on nutrient demand

Wind breaks help to moderate these abrupt changes

Windbreaks

Natural windbreaks Dense brush, fence cattle out

Determine snow patterns, put up snow fence

Plant a shelterbelt Rows of large round bales can provide protection

Windbreak fence 80% solid, ≥ 10 ft high. Downwind protection 8-10x height of fence

Cold Housing:Portable, 3 Sided Calf Shelter

Needed for calving, weaning, sick animals

Open side facing away from prevailing winds

Open side facing south for winter sun

Ventilated by natural air flow Provides dry resting area Warming box or heat lamps for

winter calving Portability makes manure pack

easy to clean Portability helps control

pathogens Space recommendations in

handouts

Cold Housing:Portable, 3 Sided Calf Shelter

Old Dairy Barns

Renovation can cost less than a new structure

Lighting and ventilation usually adequate

Tie stalls with gutter not recommended

Free stall with manure handling set-up

Sources Agriculture Alternatives, Penn State. http://agalternatives.aers.psu.edu

UMass Extension, Beef Cattle Housing & Equipment. www.umass.edu/cdl

Government of Saskatchewan, Beef Cattle Housing and Feedlot Facilities. http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Beef_Cattle_Housing

Small Scale Beef Production Handbook. Faulkner, D., Parrett, D., Stoughtenborough, T. 1998. Univ. of Illinois Extension

Beef Cow Management, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Equipment and Handling Facilities.

Beef Housing & Equipment Handbook, 1975, Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

Beef Cattle Housing, Kavanagh, A.J. & Dodd, V.A., 1976

Chapter 6: Beef Cattle. http://www.fass.org/docs/agguide3rd/Chapter06.pdf

QUESTIONS?