BEEF CATTLE REQUIREMENTS
Feed lots should be hard surfaced. It is practically impossible to keep dirt lots from becoming a mire because of the amount of rainfall in Georgia regardless of the slope. Feed conversion and rate of gain is less and maintenance of lot surface around bunks and waterers is a continuing chore in dirt lots. Feedlot run‑off should not be allowed to enter streams. If, however, a person does feed on unpaved surface some guidelines are listed but cannot be guaranteed to be trouble free.
Access roads must be all‑weather because of the heavy vehicles hauling feed, manure or animals. Always look at possibility of expansion of the lot.
Consider the proximity of subdivisions or neighboring houses or the possibility of population growth toward the feed lot location. The location should be downwind from all residence areas or neighbors to limit disagreeable odor complaints.
Electric power, water, manure handling and surface run‑off must be planned and made adequate for present and future lot size.
Space Requirements
Feeding and Finishing Cattle. (All the following dimension should be modified according to the size of the animal, from calves to 1100 pound cows.)
Lot area per head:
Unsurfaced ‑ 300-800 square feet
Completely surfaced ‑ 40-75 square feet
Slope ‑ 1/2-inch to 1 inch per foot = 4 to 8 percent
Earth mounds should be constructed in unpaved lots for resting areas at 25 to 40 square feet each for feeding or finishing cattle.
In unsheltered lots, feed bunks should be covered mainly to protect mechanical feeding equipment and wooden bunk and for shade in summer.
Shade should be provided in unsheltered lots. Area should be 25 to 35 square feet per animal under shade. Temporary or permanent shade structures or shade cloth suspended over cable supports may be used.
Bunk Space Per Head
Limited feeding (all animals eat at once):
Calves ‑ 18 to 22 inches.
Finishing cattle, 600 pounds to market ‑ 20 to 26 inches.
Free choice feeding (feed kept before animals at all times):
Complete ration or supplement ‑ 3 to 4 inches per head.
Hay ‑ 4 to 6 inches per head.
BUNK DIMENSIONS:
Throat height (max.)
Calves ‑ 12 to 18 inches.
Feeders and slaughter cattle ‑ 22 inches.
Bunk depths
18 to 20 inches.
Bunk widths
Feed from both sides ‑ 42 to 48 inches.
Feed from one side ‑ 24 to 30 inches.
Concrete aprons
Slope 1/2 to 1 inch per foot = 4 to 8 percent.
Width 6 to 8 feet from edge of bunk (minimum).
Watering:
One waterer per 40 head.
5 to 10 gallons per head per day.
Housing, in addition to lot area
Pole type shed, back wall toward bad weather.
Open on south side. Ridge vent preferred.
20 to 30 square feet per head.
Recommended width of barn:
35 to 45 feet (helps prevent drafts yet ample ventilation.
Additional Area Recommendations
Alleys (animal movement):
8 to 10 feet width.
Alleys (tractor cleaning):
10 feet minimum width.
Leave 2 feet clearance at each end of scraper blade.
Gates (animal movement):
6 to 8 feet width.
Gates (tractor cleaning):
10 feet minimum width.
Alleys and Gates (tractor‑wagon feeding):
12 feet minimum width.
Gates and Fence height:
5 feet minimum.
Medical pens:
10 feet by 10 feet minimum.
Cow Herd
Shelter ‑ Georgia winters are mild enough that shelter is unwarranted for beef cows if brush patches or wooded lots are available.
If shelter is desired:
Resting area under shelter ‑ 25 to 30 square feet per cow.
Bunk feeding space:
All cows eat at once ‑ 26 to 30 inches.
Feed available at all times ‑ 4 to 6 inches.
Working Facilities (See: "Working Facilities for the Small Beef Herd," Bulletin 1016.
Essential components are:
1. Holding pen
Space 20 square feet per animal
40 to 60 square feet for overnight stand
Fences 6 feet high, minimum
2. Crowding pen
150 square feet or one truck load, located to be used with working or loading chutes. Can be angularly (a) or squarely (b) set with chute. Fences should be 5 feet high minimum.
3. Working Chute
Length ‑ 6 to 8 feet length per animal. 18 feet should be minimum length (adequate for 3 cows). Post spaced 6 feet o.c.
Width ‑ Calves ‑ 16 to 22 inches.
Cows ‑ 24 to 28 inches.
Lower half should be solid
Sloped sides
Fig G1.2 Working chute
4. Head Gates
Can be purchased or built.
Two basic designs:
a. Gate opens completely to allow animal to pass straight through.
b. Gate opens only wide enough to catch the heads. Exit from chute is by the side or rear.
5. Loading Chutes
Length ‑ 8 to 11 feet.
Width ‑ 30 to 42 inches.
Floor ‑ 2 inch hardwood, rough concrete, earth or rock.
Height ‑ Pickups ‑ 24 to 32 inches.
Tractor‑trailer ‑ 44 to 50 inches.
Straight‑trucks ‑ 38 to 44 inches.
Stock trailers ‑ 8 to 16 inches (ramp not necessary).
Tractor‑trailer ‑ top deck, up to 8 feet.
Optional Features Beneficial to Large Operators:
1. Additional holding pens, some with water and/or feeding space to permit overnight holding of cattle.
2. Sorting alleys.
3. Squeeze chute.
4. Scales, either truck or animal size.
5. Cutting gates in working chute.
6. Blocking gates in working chute.
7. Man passes at traffic points.
8. Adjustable loading chute.
Refer To "Extension Engineering Plans" Notebook for Specific Plan Details, and "Working Facilities for Small Beef Herds" for specifics on corrals, chutes, etc.
Table G1.1 Approximate Feed Storage Requirements For Several Selected Beef Feeding Programs
