Protected From the Elements
By Maura Keller
Wind, rain, sleet and snow can create hardships for cattle. Exposure to certain weather conditions, especially when the animals are grazing far afield, can result in illnesses and injuries that can affect a producer’s bottom line.
According to Collin Gronseth, owner of C&W Welding in Dimock, SD, a producer of windbreaks, livestock shelters, corral panels, and cattle shades, over the years, shelters and windbreaks have gone from primarily wood designs to metal designs.
“Thirty years ago, the shelters where primarily built with the narrow end open with wood and then when metal started being used, they went to openings on the side,” Gronseth says. “Older day shelters had problems with damp, dark shelters in the back and that is why they started to open up on the side.”
Jeremy Holcomb, vice president of business development at Accu-Steel, adds that shelters have transformed significantly, moving from traditional metal structures to advanced fabric-covered buildings that prioritize cattle comfort and well-being. Modern designs now focus on optimizing airflow, with innovations like dual eaves and ridge ventilation that ensure a stable, comfortable environment for livestock year-round.
For Accu-Steel specifically, their use of hot-dipped galvanized steel not only extends the lifespan of these shelters but also offers robust protection against corrosion, maintaining structural integrity over time.
“This evolution reflects a shift towards prioritizing the health of the herd alongside durability and practicality,” Holcomb says. Accu-Steel provides fabric-covered shelters specifically designed for livestock, offering superior ventilation and airflow that helps maintain a healthy environment for cattle. The company’s approach is centered on durability and ease of maintenance. With hot- dipped galvanized steel and their proprietary EnduroLoc fabric technology, they ensure long-lasting protection and minimizing disruptions to a producer’s operations.
“We don’t just build shelters – we build solutions tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that every aspect aligns with your operational goals and the well-being of your herd,” Holcomb says.
With construction products available today, C&W Welding also is bringing new life to the end load windbreak and shelter systems. Today’s products have more features like skylights, lift bars, walk in doors, gates to close the shed off and tow hooks. As Gronseth explains, today’s windbreak and shelters are designed to be moved more than past designs.
“Windbreaks used to all be permanent, but portables are gaining huge in popularity today,” Gronseth says. “Temporary windbreaks were quite frequently built using round bales, but with the costs of doing this, more producers are electing to buy portable windbreaks instead.”
The importance of investing in windbreaks and shelters for cattle is evident. Gronseth points to several research articles showing the benefits of windbreaks and calf shelters including improved rates of gain, improved calving percentages, improved herd health, and less feed expenses.
“Investing in cattle shelters means providing a controlled environment that is essential for the health and productivity of livestock throughout every life stage – including breeding, calving, and weaning. Enhanced ventilation in fabric-covered shelters improves air quality, which is key to preventing respiratory issues and other health challenges that can arise from poor airflow,” Holcomb says. “Shelters also offer critical protection from extreme weather, reducing stress and ensuring the well-being of cattle.”
By creating a stable environment, these structures also lead to better breeding outcomes, smoother calving processes, and more efficient weaning, directly contributing to a more productive and resilient herd.
Using his same ingenuity as his Rawhide Portable Corral design, John McDonald, founder of Rawhide Portable Corrals, has developed a portable, foldable, windbreak on wheels that one person can set up.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’d have somebody walk by my booth and say, why don’t you put plywood on these panels so we can use it as a windbreak as well,” McDonald says. “But obviously if I put plywood on it’s going to make it heavier, it’s going to make it harder to fold.”
In designing Rawhide’s new portable windbreak system, McDonald developed a solution that would protect animals from extreme weather conditions, while providing a system that would result in less cold stress and less heat stress on livestock.
In addition, efficiency was a “must have” with this system. With Rawhide’s portable windbreak, ranchers and farmers will no longer need to use tractors and trailers to haul the typical freestanding windbreaks currently on the market. With Rawhide’s windbreak, they can haul it down the road at highway speeds, as they can with Rawhide’s portable corrals. The hydraulics will raise and lower the windbreak, as well as the roof on the loafing shed. The pinning system will then allow the windbreak to easily unfold and fold into the needed configuration.
What To Look For When selecting shelters and windbreak products, ranchers need to evaluate the difference between a porous windbreak (a windbreak with a gap) versus a solid wall windbreak.
According to Gronseth, a solid wall windbreak will be desired if the space is very confined and experiences a low yearly snowfall. With these structures, you will find the animal is very close to the structure, but they will have issues with drifts forming on the blocked side and only leaving a small area of wind protection.
“A porous windbreak will offer a greater area of protection for the animals and can handle larger snowfall events,” Gronseth says. “As you get into higher yearly snowfall totals, you need to look at windbreaks with bigger porosity percentages. The downfall to higher porosity is that yourreduction of wind is not as great as those of less porous panels.”
In addition, the formation of the setup needs to be considered. As Gronseth explains, a setup that is mainly a straight line will cause more of a dumping effect on the snowfall and will be limited on the winds it can effectively manage.
“A setup with a curve or V to it will deflect snow towards the sides and have a greater range for wind protection,” Gronseth says. “Shelter designs need to have an emphasis on improving ventilation, warmth and sunlight, while reducing drafts. A shelter needs to keep the animals warm, but it needs to ventilate enough so the humidity levels remain constant with the outside air.”
For Holcomb and the team at Accu-Steel, choosing the right shelter means looking for durability and reliability. He advises producers prioritize shelters constructed with hot-dipped galvanized steel for superior protection against corrosion, ensuring a safe, long-lasting environment for the cattle.
“Look for designs that include dual eaves and ridge ventilation to maximize airflow, keeping your livestock comfortable and minimizing moisture-related health issues,” Holcomb says.
“The quality of the fabric covering also matters – modular designs, like our Keder cover system, offer easy maintenance and cost-effective repairs, making sure that your investment continues to perform for years to come.”
What to Look For
When selecting a shelter solution for your cattle operation, it’s also crucial to partner with a company that offers a consultative approach. Holcomb stresses that this means working with experts who take the time to understand your unique needs – whether it’s the size of your herd, the specific climate challenges you face, or the operational goals you’re aiming to achieve.
“A tailored solution ensures that the shelter design is optimized for your situation, providing the best possible protection and comfort for your livestock,” Holcomb says. “This personalized approach not only maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the shelter but also helps you get the most out of your investment, ensuring long-term success for your operation.”