Typical Engineering Features Typical Engineering Features for Feedlot Designfor Feedlot Design

Andrew PoeckesAndrew Poeckes

Ag EngineerAg Engineer

NRCS Mandan NDNRCS Mandan ND

Initial Site PlanningInitial Site Planning

Site evaluation considers:Site evaluation considers:– Cattle numbers present and futureCattle numbers present and future

Adequate water supply for potential cattle numbersAdequate water supply for potential cattle numbers CNMP how many head does the CNMP allow forCNMP how many head does the CNMP allow for Is there adequate area for cattle numbersIs there adequate area for cattle numbers

– Odor regulationsOdor regulations Local or state odor regulationsLocal or state odor regulations

– Soils in feedlot and potential pond areaSoils in feedlot and potential pond area Is there high a high water tableIs there high a high water table

– Topography 2%– 5% land slopeTopography 2%– 5% land slope All these factors should be evaluated in this order All these factors should be evaluated in this order

to determine as early as possible if site is feasibleto determine as early as possible if site is feasible

Cattle NumbersCattle NumbersWater requirementsWater requirements

Consider water requirements for cattleConsider water requirements for cattle Lack of water reduces feed intake and causes stress on Lack of water reduces feed intake and causes stress on

cattlecattle Table 8. Approximate Total Daily Water Intake of Beef Cattle

Temperature (F) 40 50 60 70 80 90

Weight (lb) Daily Water Intake (gallons)  Growing heifers, steers, and bulls

400 4.0 4.3 5.0 5.8 6.7 9.5

600 5.3 5.8 6.6 7.8 8.9 12.7

800 6.3 6.8 7.9 9.2 10.6 15.0

  Finishing cattle

600 6.0 6.5 7.4 8.7 10.0 14.3

800 7.3 7.9 9.1 10.7 12.3 17.4

1,000 8.7 9.4 10.8 12.6 14.5 20.6

Water RequirementsWater Requirements

Insufficient space for animals to drink, low flow Insufficient space for animals to drink, low flow rates, and low storage capacity can all decrease rates, and low storage capacity can all decrease water consumption and thus reduce feed intake.water consumption and thus reduce feed intake.

Animals should have 2 feet of drinking space per Animals should have 2 feet of drinking space per 25 animals25 animals

System should deliver 1 to 2 gallons of water per System should deliver 1 to 2 gallons of water per animal per hour animal per hour

Entire day’s supply of water should be supplied Entire day’s supply of water should be supplied within 4 to 8 hourswithin 4 to 8 hours

Water RequirementsWater Requirements

If it is assumed that the maximum daily water use If it is assumed that the maximum daily water use per animal is 15 gal/day and there 500 animals in per animal is 15 gal/day and there 500 animals in system.system.

Total of 15 x 500 = 7500 gallons of water per dayTotal of 15 x 500 = 7500 gallons of water per day Delivery rate 500 head x 2 gal/hr / 60min/hr = 16.5 Delivery rate 500 head x 2 gal/hr / 60min/hr = 16.5

gal/mingal/min Or 7500 gal in 8 hr (480 min) 7500/480 = 15.5 Or 7500 gal in 8 hr (480 min) 7500/480 = 15.5

gal/mingal/min Is the well on the property able to produce this Is the well on the property able to produce this

quantity of water?quantity of water?

Water RequirementsWater Requirements

If current well gal/min is insufficient can drill If current well gal/min is insufficient can drill another well or create storage within systemanother well or create storage within system

Storage can be larger water tanks in lots or Storage can be larger water tanks in lots or storage tanks within the systemstorage tanks within the system

Large tanks in lots hard to keep frost freeLarge tanks in lots hard to keep frost free What if the well goes down?What if the well goes down?

Storage Tanks within system in an Storage Tanks within system in an insulated buildinginsulated building

CNMPCNMP

How many head can the producer have with How many head can the producer have with respect to the CNMPrespect to the CNMP

This should be addressed right away so that This should be addressed right away so that it does turn in to a hang up later onit does turn in to a hang up later on

Cattle Numbers Present and FutureCattle Numbers Present and FutureIs there adequate spaceIs there adequate space

Approximately 1 Acre required per 100 head Approximately 1 Acre required per 100 head for pen space, alleys, and feed roadsfor pen space, alleys, and feed roads

Pens usually sized for 100 or 200 headPens usually sized for 100 or 200 head Working facilities should be located in an Working facilities should be located in an

area that is easy to access with cattle trucks area that is easy to access with cattle trucks and handle one semi load of cattleand handle one semi load of cattle

How will the producer move the cattle from How will the producer move the cattle from working area to pens? working area to pens?

Cattle NumbersCattle NumbersPen dimensions and feed bunk spacePen dimensions and feed bunk space 300 ft2 – 450 ft2 feedlot space is required per 300 ft2 – 450 ft2 feedlot space is required per

animal depending on size of animals animal depending on size of animals 12” – 18” of feedbunk space is required depending 12” – 18” of feedbunk space is required depending

on size of animals on size of animals 25% of feedlot is recommended to be mounded for 25% of feedlot is recommended to be mounded for

cattle to get out of mud during wet conditionscattle to get out of mud during wet conditions Also consider where manure will be stacked Also consider where manure will be stacked

before it can be spread the drainage from this area before it can be spread the drainage from this area has to be contained and should be easily has to be contained and should be easily accessed from pen areas for easy pen scrappingaccessed from pen areas for easy pen scrapping

Cattle NumbersCattle NumbersFeedbunk and Concrete SlabsFeedbunk and Concrete Slabs

Feed bunk or Concrete Curb adjacent to Feed bunk or Concrete Curb adjacent to feed roadfeed road

Concrete slabs provide firm place for cattle Concrete slabs provide firm place for cattle to stand while eating or drinking also allows to stand while eating or drinking also allows for easy manure removalfor easy manure removal

Feedlot DesignFeedlot Design

Odor RegulationsOdor Regulations

Check for any county or township laws on Check for any county or township laws on odor regulationsodor regulations

If no county or township laws exist check If no county or township laws exist check state lawsstate laws– How far away is nearest neighborHow far away is nearest neighbor– Will neighbors in close vicinity sign an odor Will neighbors in close vicinity sign an odor

easementeasement

SoilsSoils

Check soils where storage pond will be located Check soils where storage pond will be located where current or potential lots are drainingwhere current or potential lots are draining– Check soils map Check soils map – Ask producer what soils he hasAsk producer what soils he has– Check for high water tables or any wetland issuesCheck for high water tables or any wetland issues

If clay is not present than borrow clay must be If clay is not present than borrow clay must be hauled inhauled in

How far is a potential clay borrow area the farther How far is a potential clay borrow area the farther away the more it costs to constructaway the more it costs to construct

All these factors should be evaluated for site All these factors should be evaluated for site feasibility as early as possiblefeasibility as early as possible

TopographyTopography

Is overland water draining within current or Is overland water draining within current or potential feedlot potential feedlot

Can water be diverted around feedlot areaCan water be diverted around feedlot area Remember area of feedlot, working area, Remember area of feedlot, working area,

and silage storage should all be containedand silage storage should all be contained If feedlot road is desired to deliver feed try If feedlot road is desired to deliver feed try

locate it on the ridge of a hill in order to locate it on the ridge of a hill in order to reduce need for diversionsreduce need for diversions

TopographyTopographyWhy do we need slope within lots?Why do we need slope within lots?

Good drainage for dry clean feedlotsGood drainage for dry clean feedlots Important for ease in management and Important for ease in management and

better weight gainsbetter weight gains Study by beef links consultantsStudy by beef links consultants

 2000 (dry) 2001

(mud)Difference

ADG 3.23 2.78 -13.9%F/G 7.02 7.96 +14.4%

Death Loss %

.68 1.14 +67.6%

Total Cost of Gain

42.22 50.24 +$8.02/cwt gain

TopographyTopographyKeeping Lots DryKeeping Lots Dry

Slope in feedlot 2% - 5%Slope in feedlot 2% - 5% MoundsMounds

– Mounds provide cattle with place to rest out of Mounds provide cattle with place to rest out of mudmud

Soils in feedlot - higher clay contentSoils in feedlot - higher clay content Soil additives – Fly ashSoil additives – Fly ash

Web sitesWeb sites

http://www.beeflinks.comhttp://www.beeflinks.com http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/ http://www.akey.com/http://www.akey.com/ http://www.mwpshq.org/http://www.mwpshq.org/