Flooring and bedding Feed delivery systems

8 Module 2. Feedlot design

3. Flooring and bedding

Function Cattle must have a safe and comfortable surface to move and rest on. The surface must allow good drainage and easy pen cleaning. Design features Base surface Concrete surfaces are best for all feedlot pens, but these should be stamped with a grooved pattern to prevent cattle slipping. Slope The surface should slope from the feed trough end of the pen to drain any moisture. Slopes should be 0.5–1.5 for covered pens and 1–2 for uncovered pens. Pen cleaning Pens need to be cleaned regularly. Spent bedding material, manure and other solid wastes must be able to be removed by hand or mechanically from covered pens. Uncovered pens will generally be washed clean by rainfall—with hosing when necessary. Bedding material Bedding is required only in covered sections of the pen. It should provide a comfortable surface for cattle to move and rest on while absorbing moisture and manure. A good supply of dry straw, sawdust or compost is needed to provide a depth of approximately 200mm. When the bedding cannot absorb any further moisture or manure it should be removed, and taken to a covered manure handling area or directly off the feedlot premises. Mod 2 Design2.indd 8 150410 5:27 PM Module 2. Feedlot design 9 Practical examples Dry compost and sawdust being laid as fresh bedding. Straw used as bedding material. Stockpile of fresh bedding material. Fresh bedding being spread in a pen. Stamped concrete to prevent cattle slipping in uncovered pen. Pen overdue for cleaning and fresh bedding.       Mod 2 Design2.indd 9 150410 5:28 PM 10 Module 2. Feedlot design

4. Feed delivery systems

Function Cattle must have easy and comfortable access to fresh feed, which can be delivered by hand or by machine. Design features Construction materials Concrete or rendered brickwork is the most durable material for feed troughs, and can be formed to desired shapes. Feed delivery roads can be made with compacted gravel provided they are well maintained and kept free of potholes. Trough length Each animal should have 200–300mm length of accessible feed trough. For the most eficient delivery of feed, troughs should be continuous along each row of pens see Figure 2. Weather protection Feed troughs must be protected from rain to prevent feed being spoiled by excess moisture. See Section 3 for further detail. Cattle access Cattle should be able to access all of the feed in the trough with comfort. A single overhead cable or rail will prevent cattle climbing into the trough and escaping. Feed delivery access Delivery of feed and roughages to the troughs should not be obstructed by overhead cables or rails. Feed delivery roads should be wide enough for two feed delivery vehicles. Shape The coniguration of the trough and cablesrails should allow cattle to reach all of the feed. The pen side of the trough should be rounded and lower to allow better access to feed while the road side of the trough should be higher to minimise the spilling of feed during delivery. Both external faces of the trough should be vertical to prevent build-up of spilt feed and manure, and to help pen cleaning. Pens must slope away from the feed trough. Cleaning Feed troughs need to be cleaned to ensure feed is fresh and free of contamination. All corners on the inside of the trough should be rounded to prevent stale feed from collecting, and to help cleaning operations with no obstruction from the overhead cable. Mod 2 Design2.indd 10 150410 5:28 PM Module 2. Feedlot design 11 Sample plan Figure 4 – Typical feed trough Mod 2 Design2.indd 11 150410 5:28 PM 12 Module 2. Feedlot design Practical examples Good features Poor features Feed delivered with minimal spillage. Too low restraint cable restricts cattle access. Good width—cattle can reach right across trough to feed. Feed trough is too wide; cattle stretching to reach feed. Wide feed alley gives clear access to troughs for feed delivery vehicles. Narrow feed alley prevents delivery of feed by vehicle.       Mod 2 Design2.indd 12 150410 5:28 PM Module 2. Feedlot design 13 Function Cattle need a constant supply of good-quality, clean and cool drinking water. Design features Construction materials Concrete is strongest and most durable. Steel can rust and plastic can be damaged by cattle and machinery. Trough length Provide 50cm of accessible trough length per animal. Water supply pipes Reticulation systems should be able to deliver 5–6 litreshead hour with pipes shielded from direct sunlight to keep water cool. Pipes should be protected from damage by cattle and machinery, particularly if vulnerable materials such as PVC are used. Water level control in troughs Troughs should have some form of water level control to minimise water waste through overlow. Float valves are recommended but must be protected from damage by cattle and machinery. Location in pen and cattle access Troughs should be in-line with the side fences positions A or C in Figure 6. Troughs on the back fence D can block drainage and cause manure to build up. A trough positioned within the pen B will allow access from both sides, provided it does not hinder cleaning of the pen. All troughs should be easy to clean around and should not have any areas where manure can collect. A neck rail above the centre will prevent cattle climbing into the water. Cleaning Water troughs need to be cleaned regularly with any dirty water discharged from the pens. Troughs should have a lushing outlet with a plug that can be removed to drain the water rapidly. Access should be allowed for brush cleaning. External shape Troughs should been enclosed underneath with vertical sides to prevent manure building up underneath. Emergency supply Cattle must have constant access to water. An on-site gravity- fed emergency supply usually a large elevated tank should be provided in case a pump or pipeline breaks down.

5. Water troughs and water supply