Category: Buildings & Shelters

Top 12 Things to Consider Before Building a Cattle Handling Facility

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

By Robert Wells, Ph.D.

Former Noble Research Institute • Senior Regenerative Ranching Advisor

Properly designed and thought-out facilities will be safe for the producer and animal and will allow for cattle to be easily worked in a timely fashion.

The cattle handling facility is at the heart of most every ranch. The quality of the facility and its ease of use can determine the enjoyment or frustration of use and dictate how often you work cattle through it. Properly designed and thought-out facilities will be safe for the producer and animal, handle cattle with ease, require a minimal number of personnel and allow for cattle to be worked in a timely fashion.

There are multiple design principles that can be used, depending on the cattle-handling abilities of the personnel and their ability to understand “cow psychology.”

Here are the top 12 factors you should consider prior to building a new facility.

1. Use Type

Consider the species and type or class of animal for which the working facility will be used. Will it only be used for cattle, or will you need to handle goats and sheep, or horses, in addition to cattle? If it’s only cattle, will it be used only for a stocker operation, or will you need to process cows, bulls and calves through the chute as well? The size of cattle worked will dictate how wide of a raceway you need. Finally, do you plan to rope and drag calves, or process through a chute? Roping and dragging calves will require an area large enough to do so.

2. Bud Box or Solid-Sided, Curved Designs

Both Bud Box and solid-sided, curved designs are effective. In general, the curved, solid-sided-fence facility, in my opinion, allows the cattle handler to make mistakes and recover without adversely affecting cattle flow. If you are in the wrong position yet the animal cannot see you because of the solid side, it may not affect the movement of cattle. A drawback to this style is it is more complicated and costly to build because of the curves and the added expense of the solid-sided fences.

The Bud Box system uses the animal’s instincts to your advantage. It works on the principle that animals will want to return to where they have been if they cannot proceed further. When they turn around and head back in the direction that they came from, the animal is diverted down another alley or raceway leading up to the working chute. The drawbacks to this system are that it is typically not recommended for novice cattle handlers, and if handlers are out of place, they can impede cattle movement.

3. Location

It’s all about the location. The working facility should be central to most pastures and easily accessed, either using lanes or along adjoining fences that help funnel cattle into the facility. Having a corral situated where cattle have to routinely enter and leave on their own will facilitate penning them on working day. 

One example is a catch pen situated between pastures that cattle must walk through when rotating from one pasture to the other. It could be a central watering location or where feed and hay are fed to the animals. If you plan to use the facility to hold sick or freshly received animals for a few days, then having shade from trees along the fence might be beneficial.

4. Materials

There are numerous materials that a set of working facilities can be built out of: drill stem pipe, highway guardrails, cable, sucker rod, cattle panels, wood. All have their benefits and drawbacks. In general, metal building materials will probably outlast wood. Cable fences are not well-suited for working and crowding facilities. They flex too much and can allow calves to get through. 

Likewise, if you have to quickly climb a fence to get away from an aggressive animal, cable fences will not support your weight well enough to allow you to quickly escape. Make sure any drill stem you purchase is not magnetized, as it makes welding difficult. Also, make sure the drill stem is not radioactive or excessively rusty if it has been used in drilling activity. 

Graduated cattle panels have smaller hole sizes on the bottom of the panel, making them difficult to climb when in a hurry. If using sucker rod, consider welding a clip over the rod to the line post. Experience has proven that welding a sucker rod only to a post will result in a broken weld.

5. Utilities

Having access to electricity and water is beneficial but not necessary. If you plan to use an electric branding iron, access to land-line electricity will eliminate the need for a costly and loud generator. 

If you have electricity available, you can have a small room located next to the chute to store medicine and vaccines in a refrigerator. Additionally, you can have hot water to help clean up the equipment after use.

6. Cover and Shade

It is beneficial to have cover over the working chute in case you have to work the cattle in extremely hot or inclement weather. Additionally, you may decide to have a portion of the pens covered in case you need to hold a quarantined or sick animal in the facility for a length of time.

7. Slope

The working facility should have a small degree of slope to allow drainage during and after rainfall events. The slope should not be so great that erosion or channeling will occur after the grass has been trampled down. 

Additionally, consider the degree and direction of the slope when planning where you will back up a trailer to the pens. Backing across a slope when muddy may result in the trailer sliding sideways. Trying to pull up a muddy slope when loaded may be difficult, too.

8. Calf Chute, Palpation Cage, Gates

Buy a chute that is large enough to handle your largest animal, including your bull. It may be necessary to restrain the bull to treat a foot or to conduct a breeding soundness exam. Remember, bulls are longer and thicker than a cow. Many of the economy-type chutes are not designed to hold a bull. Also plan for a palpation cage at the end of the chute to allow a safe access area for a veterinarian so he or she doesn’t have to worry about getting run over by the next cow in line. The cage will also be handy if you have to treat a hind foot

Design the facility with options. It is much easier to work 2- to 3-month old calves in a calf chute than in a large, cow-sized chute. Do not skimp on gates! Make sure they are heavy and well-built. Plan on gates between adjacent pens and from the alleys. Having gates between pens allows you to open up adjacent pens to create one large pen when needed. Use headers across the top of the gate to ensure it stays in line and does not sag, so it opens and closes as it should. Make the headers high enough that you can drive equipment or ride horseback under them.

9. Access to Roads

You should plan to have all-weather road access to the working facility to enable you to load and unload cattle even in rainy conditions. However, placing a set of corrals right off a county road could enable cattle thieves to bait your cows into the pens and easily and quickly load out and steal animals, so keep that in mind.

10. Size

The size of the facility will be determined by the activities needed and how long you plan to hold cattle there. If you are just using the pens as a holding area while working the cattle, each cow-calf pair will require a minimum of 35 to 45 square feet. The larger the calf while on the cow, the more room that will be required.

11. Number of Pens

One of the biggest design mistakes we see is a facility without enough holding pens. It is always good to plan to have at least one more pen than you think you need. At the minimum, three pens are needed. You will need one large pen to hold the cattle when they are first caught, and then preferably two more to sort calves and cows into. This will also allow you to have an open pen to catch the animals after they have been worked so that they do not get mixed with unprocessed cattle. Designing an alleyway alongside the pens that leads to the chute allows you to sort animals out of the alley and into the pens. Additionally, the alley can be used to hold cattle temporarily.

12. Other Considerations

Build with flexibility in mind:

• Design the facility so that expansion will not require a major overhaul.

• Make the design modular so more pens can be added alongside existing alleys.

• Make the raceway leading to the chute adjustable to enable it to be wide enough for cows, but can be adjusted down so that a calf cannot turn around in it.

• Do not design the facility so that   
the chute turns out into the pasture. If you miss a head catch on an animal, you cannot easily recycle it back around.

• Set all posts at least 3 feet down into concrete.

• If concrete is used under the chute, extend it at least 6 to 8 feet past the front of the chute. Make sure the concrete is heavily grooved to provide traction even when covered with mud and manure.

• Reduce shadows that go across alleys by running alleys east and west if possible. Cattle do not have depth perception and may view a shadow as a hole or trench, causing them to balk.

Visit, Plan, Visualize

As you design your handling facility, go see as many other working facilities as possible in person. Talk with the people who use them, and ask what they like and what they would change. Draw your design out on paper, and then lay it out on the ground to scale. Use marking paint and survey flags to help you visualize the layout before building. Then walk through the layout as you would when working cattle. It is far easier to make adjustments in the planning stage than after everything is built.

Protected From the Elements

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

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.”

Benefits of Shade

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

Benefits of Shade

By Stephen F. Higgins, Carmen T. Agouridis, and Sarah J. Wightman, University of Kentucky Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Enginering

Although animals tend to reduce feed intake when they congregate under shade, there are benefits to shade in pasture-based grazing systems, which are explained in this publication. Although the benefits of providing shade to cattle will vary depending on factors such as breed, coat color, weight, health, and lactation status, producers may be able to increase production and improve pasture use and water quality by providing it.

Weight Gain
Research at the University of Kentucky’s Animal Research Center indicated that beef cows and calves showed improved weight gain with the use of portable shade during the heat stress periods of spring and early summer. An increase of 1.25 lb per day for cows, 0.41 lb per day for calves, and 0.89 lb per day for steers was achieved when shade was provided. Research at the University of Missouri found that providing shade had the biggest effect on cattle grazing endophyte-infected pastures. Those cattle gained 0.72 lb per day more than cattle without shade. At the University of Arkansas, researchers found that providing cattle with artificial shade resulted in an average daily gain of more than 20% compared to cattle with no shade, and cattle with tree shade showed nearly a 60% increase compared to those with no shade.

Fertility
Research at the University of Florida found that cattle provided with shade had conception rates of 44.4% as compared to conception rates of 25.3% for cattle without shade. At the University of Missouri, researchers found that shade increased the overall pregnancy rate of cows by nearly 40%. Cows with shade had an overall pregnancy rate of 87.5%, while the pregnancy rate was only 50% for cows without shade. Research has shown that bulls with access to shade have increased semen counts.

Improved Pasture Use
Cattle drink water to lower their body temperature, so when they’re heat stressed, cattle will congregate closer to water sources, which results in overgrazing near the water source and undergrazing farther away from it. Therefore, incorporating shade throughout pastures can result in more even pasture use—silvopastures (trees, forage, and livestock combined) have been shown to result in more uniform grazing patterns. Shade also has a notable effect on grazing patterns. Research at the University of Kentucky found that as heat stress increased, cattle spent a larger amount of time under tree shade.

Improved Water
Quality Researchers at Iowa State University found increased heat stress resulted in cattle spending more time in streams and riparian areas. Cattle loafing in and near streams causes pollution from sediment, nutrients, and pathogens. An off-stream shade source, particularly if it’s located at an off-stream source of water, may reduce the time that cattle loaf in streamside areas and thus reduce pollution to water resources.

Types of Shade
The following alternatives can be used for shade in grazed pastures.

Natural
Cattle generally prefer shade from trees rather than constructed structures. Trees are effective at blocking incoming solar radiation, and moisture evaporating from their leaves helps cool surrounding air. Though natural shade is low-cost, often it is not where you need it, and there are other disadvantages.If there are not enough trees for the number of cattle, they will congregate under the trees, eroding the soil and exposing the roots, which can damage or kill the trees. The typical condition the trees experience is called “heart rot.” In many cases, trees are located near riparian areas, and if cattle congregate in those areas, off-site runoff of soil and manure into adjacent streams or water bodies can occur. One option is to rotate cattle through naturally shaded pastures during periods of heat stress and allow these pastures to rest during cooler periods. Exposed roots can be covered with topsoil and grass sown to control erosion and provide cool bedding for the cattle. Using strategic plantings can increase natural pasture shade. Planting shade trees on the west side of pastures will provide protection from the afternoon sun. Feed and water can be located close to the existing or planned natural shade.

Permanent
Permanent shade can be provided by constructing barns or sheds. It is most often provided for dry lots and bull lots. Often in a grazing system, permanent shade is not located where it’s needed, and it can be costly.

Portable
Portable, low-cost shade structures can be built from 2.5 in pipe and welded into a frame sturdy enough to withstand cattle (see the attached plan sheet). For rotational grazing, the frames can be moved with the animals or relocated to cleaner, drier parts of the pasture to avoid high manure buildup. Frames should have a skid-type bottom for easier transport. A portable shade structure should be no more than 10 x 20 ft to be practical.Shade cloth is typically used as the roof covering to allow air movement. Use a cloth that reduces light by 80%. Shade cloth is commonly available in black, though lighter colors reflect more heat. If secured tightly to the frame, shade cloth can last about five years before it needs to be replaced. You can also use solid roofing, such as corrugated metal, which is a cost-effective, low-maintenance option.

Requirements
Research indicates that a well-designed portable shade structure can reduce total heat load by 30 to 50%. The amount of shade needed depends on the type and age of the cattle. The optimum recommendation is approximately 40-70 square feet/head of shade for mature cows on pasture, but that’s difficult to achieve. A practical compromise is to provide 75% of this requirement. For example, a 30-cow beef herd would require 900 to 1,200 square feet of shade, or five to six portable shades (each 10 x 20 ft).

Location and Orientation
Natural ventilation under the portable structure is necessary for cooling. Place the structures at least 50 ft away from large obstructions such as buildings to allow for sufficient airflow. Fencing is not considered an obstruction unless it prevents cattle from accessing the shade. Shade structures should be placed in a north/south orientation to help keep dry the area underneath. Also consider the water source. If cattle have to travel more than 800 ft for water, grazing distribution will be less even. To protect water quality and maximize use of upland pastures, shade structures should be managed and located to lure cattle away from riparian areas and reduce the potential for pollution.

Maintenance
Portable shade structures should be moved periodically. If moving the structures is not feasible, place a heavy traffic pad underneath them to reduce the creation of mud under and around the shaded area.

Summary
Heat stress is a major problem for dairy and beef producers in Kentucky, and providing shade can greatly increase production, improve pasture use, and improve water quality. For high-producing animals, shade should be provided for at least 75% of the herd in controlled grazing systems, particularly for cattle grazing endophyte-infected fescue. Natural shade, permanent structures, or portable structures can be used. Shade cloth that reduces light by 80% should be used for as a roof covering for portable structures. It should be securely attached to the frame and removed in the winter and stored. Shade placement will affect the animal grazing patterns and forage use, so you should observe animal traffic patterns and adjust shade locations accordingly for best pasture use.

 

Skip to content