Tips When Planning A New Cattle Barn

Ensuring good functionality and animal safety are top objectives when planning a new cattle barn.  Dennis Lee, Farm Product Line Manager for Morton Buildings, said there are many important considerations in the design and building process.

“The first consideration is site selecting a location that provides good access for trucks and trailers, great drainage," Lee pointed out.  "We've all been in cattle barns that have been muddy messes that could have been avoided with proper site selection and proper drainage a minimum of 2% slope away from the building. And as far as building size goes, want to try and plan for the future, not only what you have now. A lot of times we'll see 144 square feet or so per cow calf pair. Your stockers are going to be a little bit higher rate than that.”

Ventilation A Key Many Producers Overlook

Lee noted that proper ventilation and lighting are important in any livestock building.

“Curtain walls are very popular option in a lot of our cattle barns," he said.  "Ventilated overhangs, rich vents, vent doors. And then, of course, some powered options, like cupolas and fans, lighting. And we really try to use as much natural lighting as possible. So this can be through open sections of wall. It can be translucent skylight panels, either in the walls or in a roof. And then for supplemental lighting, you know, LED lights are top of the line nowadays, you want to make sure you use a vapor, tight light fixture that's resistant to moisture and dust.”

Quality Materials Are Key

He added that quality construction is key in an animal environment.

"Animals are very rough on buildings, and not all buildings are built the same," Lee said.  "So housing animals are very tough, daily wear and tear, not only from the animals, but from handlers and equipment and tractors cleaning buildings out. So make sure you use quality materials, quality construction methods, good quality fasteners, and you know, not all lumber is the same too. So make sure that you get good quality materials and craftsmanship, and that will help provide an efficient and safe building for a long time to come.”

For more information about new livestock facilities, visit Morton Buildings' Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com