beef housing and facilities
DESCRIPTION
PowerPoint on the basics of beef housing and various facility designsTRANSCRIPT
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?